Chicken mom turned budgie mom!

[Hannahnic14]

So I'm seriously considering getting a pair of budgies! I'm currently doing TONS of research and I think I've gotten the list of everything I should need.

Now I'm just deciding on cage size. I know they need as much space as possible but I also don't have room for a huge cage. I'll attach pics of what I'm thinking of getting. Tell me if I'm missing anything!

I really like the look of this cage but wondering of 20X20 will be big enough.

I think this would be the best as far as size but I don't think I have room for it‍♀

This is also an option

I know they need natural wood perches, shredding toys, food PELLETS not a seed diet, and a cuttlebone for calcium.

Lots of interaction as well. Am I missing anything?? I'm not getting one for a few months but want to make sure I know what I'm doing!

 

[ButtonHoarder]

I really like the look of this cage but wondering of 20X20 will be big enough.

I think this would be the best as far as size but I don't think I have room for it‍♀

This is also an option

I would probably go bigger than the first one, especially since you’re getting 2. The others look nice, just make sure that there’s half inch bar spacing or less so they can’t squeeze out

I know they need natural wood perches,

Yup, natural wood perches in different sizes and shapes are necessary. You can make your own, if you have bird safe trees that haven’t had pesticides and stuff on them. Making your own is great because good quality perches get expensive, even little budgie ones. Here’s some links that might be helpful if you build your own perches:
https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1778905/326613/Bird-safe-Wood
https://birdsupplies.com/pages/bird-safe-wood

shredding toys,

Yes! They need lots of shredding and foraging toys. Planet Pleasures has lots of really great natural bird toys, and there’s lots of theirs on Amazon. Super Bird Creations to. This place has some really great stuff, and me and my budgie both love it. https://www.thingsforwings.ca/
I haven’t ordered from these places because I’m in Canada, but they have cool stuff!
https://lilmonstersbirdtoys.com/
https://www.cabirdnerds.com/
Toys get expensive too, so making DIYs can help.

And I love this channel:

She has lots of great advice for bird owners!
Also, if you get toys with bells and chain, make sure that it’s a non toxic metal, like stainless steel.

food PELLETS not a seed diet, and a cuttlebone for calcium.

Pellets are great, but they will also need lots of fresh veggies. I like to make chop, which is basically blending/chopping up a big variety of veggies, then you can keep it in the fridge for a few days, or freeze it in little portions and keep it for longer.
How to make chop:

If your birds won’t eat veggies:

The ones you have in your cart look good, but they have added sugar, so it’s up to you. The pellets I use with my budgie are Harrison’s Adult Lifetime superfine. https://www.thingsforwings.ca/Harrisons-Adult-Lifetime-Super-Fine-1lb-_p_3064.html
And seeds are fine for sometimes, and as treats/foraging. Your birds might come on a seed diet, because unfortunately most people aren’t informed about proper bird care. If you have to transition them to pellets, just take it slow because they can refuse to eat.
here’s a video on bird diet:

and also, stainless steel bowls are great

Lots of interaction as well. Am I missing anything?? I'm not getting one for a few months but want to make sure I know what I'm doing!

I think your birds are going to have an amazing life!! Here’s some videos that may be helpful. Everything you need for a bird:

Should you get a budgie video:

Taming:

And here’s a helpful forum that I joined when I got my budgie, and it’s been very helpful!
https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php
Budgie section: https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php?forums/budgie-boulevard.28/

Do you know where you’re planning on getting them? Have you considered getting from a rescue? There’s tons of birds that are in need of a loving home.
Sorry if this is too much info
I’m just really passionate about bird care.

 

[Hannahnic14]

I would probably go bigger than the first one, especially since you’re getting 2. The others look nice, just make sure that there’s half inch bar spacing or less so they can’t squeeze out

Yup, natural wood perches in different sizes and shapes are necessary. You can make your own, if you have bird safe trees that haven’t had pesticides and stuff on them. Making your own is great because good quality perches get expensive, even little budgie ones. Here’s some links that might be helpful if you build your own perches:
https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1778905/326613/Bird-safe-Wood
https://birdsupplies.com/pages/bird-safe-wood

Yes! They need lots of shredding and foraging toys. Planet Pleasures has lots of really great natural bird toys, and there’s lots of theirs on Amazon. Super Bird Creations to. This place has some really great stuff, and me and my budgie both love it. https://www.thingsforwings.ca/
I haven’t ordered from these places because I’m in Canada, but they have cool stuff!
https://lilmonstersbirdtoys.com/
https://www.cabirdnerds.com/
Toys get expensive too, so making DIYs can help.

And I love this channel:

She has lots of great advice for bird owners!
Also, if you get toys with bells and chain, make sure that it’s a non toxic metal, like stainless steel.

Pellets are great, but they will also need lots of fresh veggies. I like to make chop, which is basically blending/chopping up a big variety of veggies, then you can keep it in the fridge for a few days, or freeze it in little portions and keep it for longer.
How to make chop:

If your birds won’t eat veggies:

The ones you have in your cart look good, but they have added sugar, so it’s up to you. The pellets I use with my budgie are Harrison’s Adult Lifetime superfine. https://www.thingsforwings.ca/Harrisons-Adult-Lifetime-Super-Fine-1lb-_p_3064.html
And seeds are fine for sometimes, and as treats/foraging. Your birds might come on a seed diet, because unfortunately most people aren’t informed about proper bird care. If you have to transition them to pellets, just take it slow because they can refuse to eat.
here’s a video on bird diet:

and also, stainless steel bowls are great

I think your birds are going to have an amazing life!! Here’s some videos that may be helpful. Everything you need for a bird:

Should you get a budgie video:

Taming:

And here’s a helpful forum that I joined when I got my budgie, and it’s been very helpful!
https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php
Budgie section: https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php?forums/budgie-boulevard.28/

Do you know where you’re planning on getting them? Have you considered getting from a rescue? There’s tons of birds that are in need of a loving home.
Sorry if this is too much info
I’m just really passionate about bird care.

This is great info, thank you! I definitely want to do it right!
I have been binge watching her videos I haven't decided where to get them from. I know I don't want to use a chain pet store. I'm glad I'm off to a good start!

 

[BantyChooks]

I think you've pretty much got the basics down. I have two of the larger flight cages and I can say that they're really worth the space they take up if at all possible. BirdTricks is another great YouTube channel with reliable bird information. I would recommend Harrison's or TOP's over Zupreem, though, as they have organic ingredients. I believe the commonly quoted figure is 20% seed (which helps their digestive system) and the rest made up of pellets and chop.

 

[BantyChooks]

I would probably go bigger than the first one, especially since you’re getting 2. The others look nice, just make sure that there’s half inch bar spacing or less so they can’t squeeze out

Yup, natural wood perches in different sizes and shapes are necessary. You can make your own, if you have bird safe trees that haven’t had pesticides and stuff on them. Making your own is great because good quality perches get expensive, even little budgie ones. Here’s some links that might be helpful if you build your own perches:
https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1778905/326613/Bird-safe-Wood
https://birdsupplies.com/pages/bird-safe-wood

Yes! They need lots of shredding and foraging toys. Planet Pleasures has lots of really great natural bird toys, and there’s lots of theirs on Amazon. Super Bird Creations to. This place has some really great stuff, and me and my budgie both love it. https://www.thingsforwings.ca/
I haven’t ordered from these places because I’m in Canada, but they have cool stuff!
https://lilmonstersbirdtoys.com/
https://www.cabirdnerds.com/
Toys get expensive too, so making DIYs can help.

And I love this channel:

She has lots of great advice for bird owners!
Also, if you get toys with bells and chain, make sure that it’s a non toxic metal, like stainless steel.

Pellets are great, but they will also need lots of fresh veggies. I like to make chop, which is basically blending/chopping up a big variety of veggies, then you can keep it in the fridge for a few days, or freeze it in little portions and keep it for longer.
How to make chop:

If your birds won’t eat veggies:

The ones you have in your cart look good, but they have added sugar, so it’s up to you. The pellets I use with my budgie are Harrison’s Adult Lifetime superfine. https://www.thingsforwings.ca/Harrisons-Adult-Lifetime-Super-Fine-1lb-_p_3064.html
And seeds are fine for sometimes, and as treats/foraging. Your birds might come on a seed diet, because unfortunately most people aren’t informed about proper bird care. If you have to transition them to pellets, just take it slow because they can refuse to eat.
here’s a video on bird diet:

and also, stainless steel bowls are great

I think your birds are going to have an amazing life!! Here’s some videos that may be helpful. Everything you need for a bird:

Should you get a budgie video:

Taming:

And here’s a helpful forum that I joined when I got my budgie, and it’s been very helpful!
https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php
Budgie section: https://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php?forums/budgie-boulevard.28/

Do you know where you’re planning on getting them? Have you considered getting from a rescue? There’s tons of birds that are in need of a loving home.
Sorry if this is too much info
I’m just really passionate about bird care.

I can second everything in this post. Great write-up.

 

[BantyChooks]

This is my setup. Two things that my birds personally love are the wooden log bridge and the seagrass mat swing. They spend most of their time on those two things. I have added several more foraging toys since this picture was taken.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

Oh and I forgot to say that a platform perch is also nice because it lets them rest their feet.

 

[Hannahnic14]

Oh and I forgot to say that a platform perch is also nice because it lets them rest their feet.

Oh yes,I forgot to mention I was getting one of those as well

 

[Hannahnic14]

Would this cage be ok as just a starter? I have decided to start with just 1 budgie instead of 2 as well. It's 30inches long.

 

[BantyChooks]

Honestly, I'd say that would be alright. It's about the same as the nicer flight cages but with less depth, and they don't use the bottom half of the cage much anyway. Bigger would be better, but I would say you could get away with that cage.