Keeping your budgie happy & healthy
Owning a pet whether, dog, cat, rabbit, bird etc, is not to be taken lightly, it is our responsibility to care for that creature to the best of our ability, so think carefully, look at your lifestyle, your financial budget etc. Think about holidays & the times when you could be away from home.
Vets bills are not cheap for any animal. Besides food & shelter they all need love, patience & companionship. Can you give it?
NEVER BUY AN ANIMAL ON A WHIM OR FANCY.
Whenever possible buy your budgie from a breeder.
A breeder will know his birds & will be able to answer your questions & advise you on what is best for you.
Bringing your budgie home.
Buy the biggest cage that you can afford, a cramped budgie is an unhappy bird, have millet spray, iodine block, cuttlebone & water ready for your bird & check with your breeder what seed the bird has been fed on, sudden changes in food can upset the birds tummy. Certain fruits & veg are good for your bird 2 or 3 times a week, be careful of green veg as these can give your bird diarrhoea.
Your budgie may take a little time to settle into it's new environment, smells, sounds, surroundings & you too are new to this little bird, talk softly, move gently, be patient.
Budgies are naturally flock birds so if you work, or for some reason your bird will be left alone for long periods during the day, consider purchasing 2 birds, they will be company for one another. At the very least, leave a radio on.
Do's & Don'ts
Do use wooden perches of differing thicknesses for your cage. Plastic & sanded perches are not good for a bird's feet, sanded perches can cause problems which are hard to cure.
Do keep an eye on the bird's beak & claws, these may need trimming occasionally, the cuttlefish & iodine block should keep the beak in good shape. Please don't attempt to do the trimming yourself if you are inexperienced, let your breeder or vet do it for you.
Do check the ring/s on the birds legs, (if any), if they seem too tight have them removed.
Do give your bird free flight but remember initially to cover windows mirrors etc to prevent injury.
Don't have your bird close to the kitchen for obvious reasons.
Don't use non-stick cookware, ie. teflon coated, this gives off vapours which are poisonous to birds.
Don't use strong smelling cleaning agents near your bird, these can cause lung problems.
Do be careful with houseplants, there are websites which can give you info on which plants are harmful.
Do try to find an Avian Vet in your area, many bird owners havn't had good experiences with an ordinary vet.
A Little TLC
Budgies, as with all birds, can become sick very quickly, their natural instinct is to hide illness to prevent attack from predators, so by the time the average owner has noticed that anything is amiss, the bird can be really poorly, tell-tale signs include, the fluffing up of feathers, lethargy & lack of appetite.
The first thing is to separate your bird from any others, put him in a smaller cage or box & make sure he is warm enough, around 80 degrees if possible, make sure his perch is near the floor & he has access to water & food. Keep the cage or box partially covered with a towel to keep out some of the light, this will make him rest & feel secure. He must drink. A little powdered glucose or similar in his water will help keep his strength up. If there seems to be no improvement after a few hours, or you feel he is getting worse, seek veterinary advice.
Sometimes a clogged vent can be a problem, warm water should be used to gently soak the area, then it can be cleaned without pulling at the feathers. A tiny smear of vasoline or a mild antiseptic cream can then be applied around the vent.
Keep a mild antiseptic cream ie. Savlon for small abrasions on the legs & feet.