Sleeping on the floor

[Joey]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to ask your opinion on budgies sleeping on the bottom of cages, is it always a bad thing?

Chip sleeps on the bottom of the cage and to me, it doesn't seem like a good thing he's fine in every other aspect, eating, drinking, active, no more tail bobbing, singing, no breathing difficulties, flies all over, can balance and energetic.

Thanks

[Joey]

My cage also has plastic as the bottom which means it has a reflection (if that makes sense?) I have noticed when he is down there he stares at himself and licks/kisses the reflection, could that be something to do with it?

[bobble]

does he lie down to sleep? are you using sand sheets or newspaper?

If he lies down to sleep I would check his legs/feet for problems. If he stands up I would suggest covering the floor of the cage with newspaper so he can't see his reflection. Or, get him a pal so he's not lonely

I don't think it will do any harm to him if he does prefer the floor

[Joey]

I use sand sheets and he stands up I really have no problem with him sleeping on floor I just hope it is not a sign of illness! He's going to have a buddy at Christmas time I think

[bobble]

i was advised to use newspaper due to seeing some nasty images of "bumble foot" check google for a wiki - sand sheets basically damage they're feet and newspaper is soo much easier

[stace]

Hey Joey, use the newspaper, not the sand sheets. Bobbie is right. It can be really bad for their feet. Newspaper is cheaper too. Same with perches. Don't let pet stores talk you into sand paper type perches. Natural perches are way better for their feet, and just as good at keeping their claws in condition.

If he's on the floor, it might be because he's still young and it's a habit still from the nestbox, or because he's looking at his reflection.

He's move up to a perch in his own time, most likely.

[Ryan.W]

how old is he??. Are his droppings O.K (this might sound daft but could you post a picture of him and his droppings?). Are his eye's bright??. Or are they oval/lemon shaped. going to the floor is not a good sign. unless he's young and as stace said still misses his nestbox, or he could as you say just be at his reflection. Is he lying down as such, like fully on his stomach ,or is he more like stace's avatar?.

[Joey]

Thanks for the replies guys, I got him 2 weeks ago and I guess he's around 4-6 months old maybe younger I'll start using newspaper right away! Won't he just rip it to shreds though? and his eyes are normal I'll try and get a photo of droppings cos they have been off since i got him. They were very watery at the start now they're not too watery but a weird green/white

[BudgiesBuddy]

I have many budgies and none of them sleeps on the cage floor. All of them like to sleep on the highest perch available.

I don't see it as a good sign unless Chip is too young.

[Joey]

Thanks for reply, I'm going to buy him a mirror for his cage to see if that does anything I hope it's the reflection thing

[liljojo]

My joey loves his mirror if try and take it our he sqawks at me anyways you okay? u talkin in the lounge?

[Joey]

Which topic?

[liljojo]

Any make a new one if you want

[Joey]

Don't wanna count my chickens but I nipped out and bought a mirror (and a new toy ) for chip and hes currently asleep on his perch next to his mirror I hope he doesn't go back to the floor

[liljojo]

he's finally sleepin on a perch now then?