Interested in budgies, but I have some questions

[HappyClucker7]

I really want to get a budgie, but I have never owned any bird besides chickens, so I have lots of questions.
-Can I keep a single budgie, or do I need to get two?
-How big does the enclosure have to be? Does it have to be bigger for two budgies?
-How loud are they? I don't want to put the cage in an area where they will disrupt sleep, etc.
-Are they very messy? Will they spread seed husks everywhere?
-Is there a way to clip their wings so that they can fly for short distances, but they cant escape through an open door? Or do I just have to be very careful when I take them out?
-Are there any health issues that budgies are prone to?
-Do budies have to be vaccinated against anything?
-Are the budgies at petco healthy, or should I go to a breeder?
That's all I can think of for now. I know it's a lot, but like I said, I'm a complete noob to keeping birds like this. Thank you in advance for any help you can give me!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm assuming you are referring to budgerigar? Parakeet is a generic term that covers many different species of smaller parrots.

You can keep one budgie. If you want a tame one that may talk this is the best way. If you keep two or more than generally they aren't as tame.

They can be messy birds. Seeds get tossed, and feathers fly especially during a molt. They are very talkative. You can cover the cage at night to prevent them vocalizing too early.

They are fairly easy to keep. They can live anywhere from 5-10 years.

You can clip wings. I do, so they aren't escaping. Check them a couple times a year. You also may need to trim toenails on some, and occasionally a beak if the bird is having problems.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I'm assuming you are referring to budgerigar? Parakeet is a generic term that covers many different species of smaller parrots.

You can keep one budgie. If you want a tame one that may talk this is the best way. If you keep two or more than generally they aren't as tame.

They can be messy birds. Seeds get tossed, and feathers fly especially during a molt. They are very talkative. You can cover the cage at night to prevent them vocalizing too early.

They are fairly easy to keep. They can live anywhere from 5-10 years.

You can clip wings. I do, so they aren't escaping. Check them a couple times a year. You also may need to trim toenails on some, and occasionally a beak if the bird is having problems.

Yes, I mean budgerigar.

Thank you for the information.
How to I stop the seeds from going everywhere? I know there's something called a seed guard. Does that work?
I also forgot to add one more question. I know Petco sells budgies. Are these healthy? Should I get one from there, or should I go to a breeder?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They do sell seed guards of various types that may or may not work. I find females seem to toss the seeds more. Deeper dishes with covers may help. It really is an individual thing. It's similar to chickens billing out food. Seed tossing is usually about them looking for goodies, although seed hulls may blow out easier. I just vacuum daily around the cage and change the paper every few days.

I forgot to mention cages. If your budgie is going to come out daily they can do okay in an average sized cage. If they aren't coming out that a larger cage is best so they have room to climb around, and for you to add toys, and various chews.

I've gotten all my budgies from Petco or Petsmart, or a local pet store. Years ago I bred budgies for a while and they were so nice and tame because I handled them from day one. If you can find a local breeder that's fine, otherwise Pet stores are okay in my opinion.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Thank you very much! I do plan to take the bird out at least once a day. What do you think is a good size cage for one budgie?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Something like 18x18, give or take should work. Budgies mostly climb around their cage. Very seldom do they fly, and if you clip the wings they don't fly at all.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

-Can I keep a single budgie, or do I need to get two?
One is fine if you have a lot of out of cage time to spend with you, two is better if they're more contained.

-How big does the enclosure have to be? Does it have to be bigger for two budgies?
Yes, it has to be bigger for two. I know some people get some pretty small cages, but I really like flight-size cages. I think they seem happier and it's easier to keep them "away" if you don't want them out.

-How loud are they? I don't want to put the cage in an area where they will disrupt sleep, etc.
They can be very loud, but like most birds they sleep at night. A blanket over the cage will help keep them quiet in the mornings. They don't scream constantly like conures or big parrots do.

-Are they very messy? Will they spread seed husks everywhere?
Yes. Things go flying in bird cages, and not just the birds. Birds are messy with no sense for how not to be.

-Is there a way to clip their wings so that they can fly for short distances, but they cant escape through an open door? Or do I just have to be very careful when I take them out?
You can clip their wings but it's probably better to just be careful when you open doors. My experience is they're not super flighty anyhow.

-Are there any health issues that budgies are prone to?
Not specifically, but since you keep chickens be aware that chickens and parrots can pass some diseases back and forth!

-Do budgies have to be vaccinated against anything?
Nah

-Are the budgies at petco healthy, or should I go to a breeder?
Either is fine. A breeder will probably be more expensive but you'll get a nicer animal. But pet store small birds are just fine and they get taken care of OK.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Something like 18x18, give or take should work. Budgies mostly climb around their cage. Very seldom do they fly, and if you clip the wings they don't fly at all.

Okay, thank you. I'm probably going to get a bigger cage, just because I want to be sure he has enough room. Also, if he gets lonely. I want to be able to get another bird without having to get a whole new cage.

 

[HappyClucker7]

-Can I keep a single budgie, or do I need to get two?
One is fine if you have a lot of out of cage time to spend with you, two is better if they're more contained.

-How big does the enclosure have to be? Does it have to be bigger for two budgies?
Yes, it has to be bigger for two. I know some people get some pretty small cages, but I really like flight-size cages. I think they seem happier and it's easier to keep them "away" if you don't want them out.

-How loud are they? I don't want to put the cage in an area where they will disrupt sleep, etc.
They can be very loud, but like most birds they sleep at night. A blanket over the cage will help keep them quiet in the mornings. They don't scream constantly like conures or big parrots do.

-Are they very messy? Will they spread seed husks everywhere?
Yes. Things go flying in bird cages, and not just the birds. Birds are messy with no sense for how not to be.

-Is there a way to clip their wings so that they can fly for short distances, but they cant escape through an open door? Or do I just have to be very careful when I take them out?
You can clip their wings but it's probably better to just be careful when you open doors. My experience is they're not super flighty anyhow.

-Are there any health issues that budgies are prone to?
Not specifically, but since you keep chickens be aware that chickens and parrots can pass some diseases back and forth!

-Do budgies have to be vaccinated against anything?
Nah

-Are the budgies at petco healthy, or should I go to a breeder?
Either is fine. A breeder will probably be more expensive but you'll get a nicer animal. But pet store small birds are just fine and they get taken care of OK.

This is very helpful. Thank you!
How do I prevent diseases going from my chickens and the budgie? Can they pass anything fatal to each other?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

This is very helpful. Thank you!
How do I prevent diseases going from my chickens and the budgie? Can they pass anything fatal to each other?

They CAN. For example, avian flu effects both chickens and budgies and has a high mortality rate.
https://www.newscientist.com/articl...may-be-behind-latest-spread-of-h7n9-bird-flu/
Many parasites spread between the species too.

The best thing you can do is have good biosecurity for your chicken flock. Do not bring in birds from outside flocks without proper quarantine, only wear chicken shoes out to the chicken pen and never around your budgie, change clothes and wash hand between handling chickens and handling budgies, have visitors sterilize their shoes or wear shoe covers, always take care of your chickens last when you can, etc. If your chickens are healthy, your budgie can't catch anything from them.

If you suspect illness in your flock, quarantine the flock from your budgies heavily, and always change clothes and wash up between handling sick animals and healthy ones. A hair covering also helps.