Budgie (Parakeets) Care Guide

Parakeets (budgies) are tiny and gorgeous members of the parrot family, originally found in the dry grasslands of Australia. Budgies are cheerful companions are capable of living a long and healthy life if given the kind of care they deserve and need. Budgies are also easy to breed, and can become a very rewarding hobby. Two basic types exist: American, or small standard budgies, and English, or large size budgies. More information can be found in this book: The Guide to Owning a Parakeet (Budgie)

HOW MANY SHOULD I HAVE TOGETHER?

If you are home frequently and can give your budgies plenty of attention a single bird may do very well. Ensure that your Budgies cage has plenty of items to keep him/her busy. Bird Bells & Bird Toys Remember that if your life becomes busier, it may be best to purchase a second bird later on (any sex).

Budgies will not actually breed without the provision of a nestbox, and two males will get along as well as a true pair or two females. Budgies can be sexed once they are mature by looking at the cere or noseband. The Cere is the fleshy area between the beak and face. All adult females have a brown cere; most males have a blue cere, although lutino (yellow), albino, and pied budgie males have a pinkish cere.

BUDGIE NUTRITION:

Product Reference: Bird Treats & Bird Food

An iodine block or a cuttlebone, and a treat cup containing oyster shell should be available at all times (except during illness). Regular gravel or grit is loved by budgies but the oyster shell makes a calcium rich substitute.

However, the use of Prime is also recommended as trace minerals, amino acids and beneficial bacteria (see Benebac Bird 4 Pack ) are also supplied by this product. Without Prime, or other animal source proteins, the budgie will not produce the beautiful feather quality they should after molting. For molting issues, refer to: Pro-Feda for Birds - Stop Molting. Sprinkle the Prime onto green treats such as sprouts, spinach, romaine lettuce, parsley, dandelions, clover and chickweed. Budgies can be offered green food in small amounts every day.

BUDGIE CAGES:

Product Reference: Aviary and Bird Cages

Standard parakeet cages are designed for budgies that will be allowed out each day for exercise. Most budgies have the wings clipped during taming, but are allowed flight later on. However many dangers are found in the home - always supervise! If you need help trimming the wing feathers, Bird Wing Clipping Scissors may help.

Many bird cages are easily disassembled to allow ready removal of the newly clipped young budgie for taming and training sessions. You may wish to remove any swings from the cage until tame, and you should add natural branches to the cage to supplement the Standard Bird Perches. Fresh branches are great for perching and chewing - try willow, alder, ash, birch, or apple. Just remove the leaves and replace every 3-5 weeks.