Post by barrieshutt on May 23, 2012 7:14:00 GMT
Cages;
Okay you want a budgie and i assume you have done a little research on these wonderful,loving caring pets.
Good,now we need the correct cage,the market place is full of cages in every size imaginable,so much so you cannot decide which would be the best choice.Remember i have had budgies fifty years and every cage and avairy i made were never large enough.Birds that come out of the cage to socialize spend a large part of the day in their cage. Providing the right bird cage, perches, dishes, and other cage accessories will help your bird have a happy, healthy environment.
Length must be more important than height and the wider the cage the more comfort for your bird/s.
For medium to large size birds, the cage living area (does not include space between floor grate and tray floor) should be a minimum of 1-1/2 times your bird’s adult wingspan in width, depth, and height. This allows comfortable movement and may reduce the risk of feather damage. For smaller birds, a cage should provide the room needed for flying.
Budgies like to move around and should have a cage that is tall and wide. Canaries and finches like to fly and should have a cage that is wide and long to allow for flight. Cockatiels need a cage that is big enough so the crest on the head and the long tail fit without being crushed. The size recommended at most pet stores is going to be the minimum size for that species of bird. Your bird will be happier with a larger, more spacious cage.
The door needs to be large enough to comfortably put your hand through, catch the bird, remove the bird, and replace the bird. The latch on the door needs to be escape-proof also as the bird is going to have a lot of time to find a way to open it. Some owners place a clip or a padlock on the door of their escape artist's cage.
Stick with square or rectangular cages as these are easier to clean and safer for the pet. As the number of corners in the cage increases, the flight area is decreased and the connecting edges decrease safety.
Metal is usually the best material for a bird cage construction as it stands up to the abuse birds give it and is easy to clean and disinfect. A sliding bottom tray is commonly seen in bird cages. This should be easy to remove, clean, and replace with no gaps that the bird can escape through, either while the tray is removed for cleaning or while the tray is in place. Newspapers are commonly used to line the tray and should be changed daily.
Place the cage so the bird perches at about your chest level. Lower than that (especially if placed on the ground) and the bird will be anxious and feel vulnerable. Do not place it higher than your chest level as 'higher' means 'superior' to birds. In the wild, the more dominant birds perch on higher branches. Keep the bird in a sunny, draft-free area. If the bird is more social, keep it in an area of human activity. If the bird is less social, it may be happier in a quieter area of the house.
Several furnishings are needed for the cage. These include perches, dishes, grooming supplies, nest box (depending upon species), cage cover, and toys. Make sure that when the accessories are all in the cage that the bird still has plenty of room to fly and move about without colliding with obstacles. Remember that many cage accessories will need to be replaced periodically due to chewing, constant cleaning, and regular wear and tear.
Ferplas make some sensible cages to house a pair of budgerigars,some can be perhaps a little cluttered but be sensible when you add perches and toys. I would replace the plastic perches with willow,do make sure the diameter is not less than 12/15mm.Willow is wonderful the bark will be chewed ,budgerigars are great chewers of soft wood and bark,the hens especially will chew it and it will get them into breeding condition and this is because the wood fibres are rich in celluluose.If you cannot get willow try apple they will love a regular supply and our furniture will last longer.
Grow a tree in your garden
A willow tree can grow very large over a short period of time giving you an abundance of leaves and branches for your avairies and cages.The branches will be stripped and chewed and the Salicylic acid in the branches is the main ingredient of Aspirin - so it has medicinal properties.
If you have room in your garden you can strike a willow cutting very easily,break a piece off a willow tree about 25mm diameter and plant the cut end 100mm into the soil and they should strike and start growing by spring.
Natural tree branches are better than the wooden dowels normally supplied when the cage is purchased. Because of their uneven shape of branches, the bird is not always putting pressure on the same part of the foot when he stands. Cut the branches to fit the cage, scrub and clean them well with detergent, rinse, and dry in the sun. Check for insect egg pods and remove before placing the perch in the cage or the egg pods will hatch in the cage. It is recommended to heat natural branches for 45 minutes in a 200º oven to kill any insects.
Untreated cotton rope is great to use for perches. It can be tossed in the washing machine for cleaning. Monitor it closely so the bird does not eat any of the strings or catch a toe in a frayed area.
Other perch options include swings, which parakeets and some of the medium-sized birds often enjoy. As you select perches, realize that birds will chew and shred everything in the cage except the dishes and the cage itself. All other items, including perches, should be obtained knowing that birds like to chew, shred, and destroy things. As perches wear, remember to replace what he is destroying with more of the same (as long as it is safe). Plastic perches are not recommended as they are slippery and can cause medical problems if eaten. Sandpaper should not be used on the perch as it scratches the bird's feet.
When placing perches, locate one by the food and water dishes, one by the toys, and the concrete perch elsewhere in the cage for grooming. Place the perches so they do not inhibit bird movement or cause damage to the feathers as the bird moves around the cage. Perches should be placed so the bird's tail will not touch the side of the cage when sitting on the perch. Avoid placing perches directly over food and water dishes.
Dishes need to be appropriately sized for the bird. The food and water dishes need to be easy to remove and clean since this needs to be done on a daily basis. Those made out of stainless steel, crockery, or high-impact plastic are able to withstand the washing and disinfecting necessary to maintain the health of the bird. Water may be given in a dish or in a water bottle such as the type guinea pigs use. Make sure the bird knows how to use the bottle and that it is easy to remove, wash, and refill. Use a bottle brush for cleaning it. Locate food and water dishes where they will not be contaminated with droppings. Having an extra set of dishes makes cleaning easier.
What else do we need inside our cage? Our new budgie/s will be bored unless (just like our small children) we buy them some toys to play with.Some does not mean a licence to purchase the pet shop and you end up like the old couple in their ancient ford anglia with stickers on the back window of every town they visited over the last fifty years.May i suggest a mirror,a swing and a toy on the floor,i can hear you,we do not need a ladder our cage bars are vertical and ideal for climbing.
The cage is only your birds temporary home,they must have freedom,once they are finger tame.The ideal cage will have a drawer bridge door or a top exit,giving the birds easy access and entry,failing this we could use a play station just situated outside the door.
Budgie cage bars must be no wider thsn 12mm to avoid any accidents.
Sandpaper belongs in the carpenters tool box and should be never used in a bird cage or as a perch cover,compare it to sitting on a brillo pad all day,it would not be nice would it?
Do not place water or feed dishes under perches you will make your birds ill.
I believe the ideal floor covering would be easy bed but the black and white newspaper does the job also,seven sheets on the floor and just roll one up and remove it daily.
We still need a good budgerigar seed mix,trill is good because it contains iodine also.Cuttlefish,iodine block(the little pink one) and some oyster shell grit,clean water daily and we will have happy pets.
Beware Plastic perches equals bumblefoot.
©2006 barrieshuttbudgerigars S3872.
My breeding cages
Do check out Rachaels thread on Cages
budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=cagesaviaries&action=display&thread=12
Okay you want a budgie and i assume you have done a little research on these wonderful,loving caring pets.
Good,now we need the correct cage,the market place is full of cages in every size imaginable,so much so you cannot decide which would be the best choice.Remember i have had budgies fifty years and every cage and avairy i made were never large enough.Birds that come out of the cage to socialize spend a large part of the day in their cage. Providing the right bird cage, perches, dishes, and other cage accessories will help your bird have a happy, healthy environment.
Length must be more important than height and the wider the cage the more comfort for your bird/s.
For medium to large size birds, the cage living area (does not include space between floor grate and tray floor) should be a minimum of 1-1/2 times your bird’s adult wingspan in width, depth, and height. This allows comfortable movement and may reduce the risk of feather damage. For smaller birds, a cage should provide the room needed for flying.
Budgies like to move around and should have a cage that is tall and wide. Canaries and finches like to fly and should have a cage that is wide and long to allow for flight. Cockatiels need a cage that is big enough so the crest on the head and the long tail fit without being crushed. The size recommended at most pet stores is going to be the minimum size for that species of bird. Your bird will be happier with a larger, more spacious cage.
The door needs to be large enough to comfortably put your hand through, catch the bird, remove the bird, and replace the bird. The latch on the door needs to be escape-proof also as the bird is going to have a lot of time to find a way to open it. Some owners place a clip or a padlock on the door of their escape artist's cage.
Stick with square or rectangular cages as these are easier to clean and safer for the pet. As the number of corners in the cage increases, the flight area is decreased and the connecting edges decrease safety.
Metal is usually the best material for a bird cage construction as it stands up to the abuse birds give it and is easy to clean and disinfect. A sliding bottom tray is commonly seen in bird cages. This should be easy to remove, clean, and replace with no gaps that the bird can escape through, either while the tray is removed for cleaning or while the tray is in place. Newspapers are commonly used to line the tray and should be changed daily.
Place the cage so the bird perches at about your chest level. Lower than that (especially if placed on the ground) and the bird will be anxious and feel vulnerable. Do not place it higher than your chest level as 'higher' means 'superior' to birds. In the wild, the more dominant birds perch on higher branches. Keep the bird in a sunny, draft-free area. If the bird is more social, keep it in an area of human activity. If the bird is less social, it may be happier in a quieter area of the house.
Several furnishings are needed for the cage. These include perches, dishes, grooming supplies, nest box (depending upon species), cage cover, and toys. Make sure that when the accessories are all in the cage that the bird still has plenty of room to fly and move about without colliding with obstacles. Remember that many cage accessories will need to be replaced periodically due to chewing, constant cleaning, and regular wear and tear.
Ferplas make some sensible cages to house a pair of budgerigars,some can be perhaps a little cluttered but be sensible when you add perches and toys. I would replace the plastic perches with willow,do make sure the diameter is not less than 12/15mm.Willow is wonderful the bark will be chewed ,budgerigars are great chewers of soft wood and bark,the hens especially will chew it and it will get them into breeding condition and this is because the wood fibres are rich in celluluose.If you cannot get willow try apple they will love a regular supply and our furniture will last longer.
Grow a tree in your garden
A willow tree can grow very large over a short period of time giving you an abundance of leaves and branches for your avairies and cages.The branches will be stripped and chewed and the Salicylic acid in the branches is the main ingredient of Aspirin - so it has medicinal properties.
If you have room in your garden you can strike a willow cutting very easily,break a piece off a willow tree about 25mm diameter and plant the cut end 100mm into the soil and they should strike and start growing by spring.
Natural tree branches are better than the wooden dowels normally supplied when the cage is purchased. Because of their uneven shape of branches, the bird is not always putting pressure on the same part of the foot when he stands. Cut the branches to fit the cage, scrub and clean them well with detergent, rinse, and dry in the sun. Check for insect egg pods and remove before placing the perch in the cage or the egg pods will hatch in the cage. It is recommended to heat natural branches for 45 minutes in a 200º oven to kill any insects.
Untreated cotton rope is great to use for perches. It can be tossed in the washing machine for cleaning. Monitor it closely so the bird does not eat any of the strings or catch a toe in a frayed area.
Other perch options include swings, which parakeets and some of the medium-sized birds often enjoy. As you select perches, realize that birds will chew and shred everything in the cage except the dishes and the cage itself. All other items, including perches, should be obtained knowing that birds like to chew, shred, and destroy things. As perches wear, remember to replace what he is destroying with more of the same (as long as it is safe). Plastic perches are not recommended as they are slippery and can cause medical problems if eaten. Sandpaper should not be used on the perch as it scratches the bird's feet.
When placing perches, locate one by the food and water dishes, one by the toys, and the concrete perch elsewhere in the cage for grooming. Place the perches so they do not inhibit bird movement or cause damage to the feathers as the bird moves around the cage. Perches should be placed so the bird's tail will not touch the side of the cage when sitting on the perch. Avoid placing perches directly over food and water dishes.
Dishes need to be appropriately sized for the bird. The food and water dishes need to be easy to remove and clean since this needs to be done on a daily basis. Those made out of stainless steel, crockery, or high-impact plastic are able to withstand the washing and disinfecting necessary to maintain the health of the bird. Water may be given in a dish or in a water bottle such as the type guinea pigs use. Make sure the bird knows how to use the bottle and that it is easy to remove, wash, and refill. Use a bottle brush for cleaning it. Locate food and water dishes where they will not be contaminated with droppings. Having an extra set of dishes makes cleaning easier.
What else do we need inside our cage? Our new budgie/s will be bored unless (just like our small children) we buy them some toys to play with.Some does not mean a licence to purchase the pet shop and you end up like the old couple in their ancient ford anglia with stickers on the back window of every town they visited over the last fifty years.May i suggest a mirror,a swing and a toy on the floor,i can hear you,we do not need a ladder our cage bars are vertical and ideal for climbing.
The cage is only your birds temporary home,they must have freedom,once they are finger tame.The ideal cage will have a drawer bridge door or a top exit,giving the birds easy access and entry,failing this we could use a play station just situated outside the door.
Budgie cage bars must be no wider thsn 12mm to avoid any accidents.
Sandpaper belongs in the carpenters tool box and should be never used in a bird cage or as a perch cover,compare it to sitting on a brillo pad all day,it would not be nice would it?
Do not place water or feed dishes under perches you will make your birds ill.
I believe the ideal floor covering would be easy bed but the black and white newspaper does the job also,seven sheets on the floor and just roll one up and remove it daily.
We still need a good budgerigar seed mix,trill is good because it contains iodine also.Cuttlefish,iodine block(the little pink one) and some oyster shell grit,clean water daily and we will have happy pets.
Beware Plastic perches equals bumblefoot.
©2006 barrieshuttbudgerigars S3872.
My breeding cages
Do check out Rachaels thread on Cages
budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=cagesaviaries&action=display&thread=12
