If you finally decided to add some budgies also known as parakeets to your family you must be wondering “How many budgies should I get?”. You need to consider a variety of factors such as cage space/ living space, your budget, the time you can spare for little buddies, etc. to know the ideal number of budgies you should get.
The ideal number of budgies a beginner should get is 2 to 4. Having a single budgie is not encouraged because being social birds they feel stressed when left alone. More than four budgies could prove noisy and irritating at times and need more time and budget for maintenance.
Now, you know that at least one pair of budgies you should get as a pet. Overcrowding is also not suitable because it is difficult to manage. Continue with the article if you want to know more about the number of budgies you should get.
Factors to Consider When Deciding How Many Budgies to Get
The number of budgies you should get depends upon different factors such as living space, your budget, time and attention you can devote to your budgies, and your lifestyle. Detail about these factors is given below in the article.
Cage size
The cage size is the first thing to consider when asking how many budgies should I get. The small size of budgies never means they can fit in the small cage. Budgies are active birds and they like to fly for which they require a large cage.
The number of budgies you should get depends upon the size of the cage. You require a larger and larger sized cage for an increasing number of budgies.
Budget
Budget is the next important thing to consider before you decide “how many budgies you should get?”. Budgies are inexpensive compared to other pets, but still, they can prove tight on budget with increasing numbers.
You will need to spend on their food, toys, cage accessory, and veterinary care on regular basis. The initial cost of budgies, cages, and other accessories also increases when you want to have more birds.
So, if you are tight on budget you should consider getting two or three budgies.
Your lifestyle
Budgies need time and attention from their owner to stay happy and healthy. You need to devote some time to your budgies to take care of them and to socialize and interact with them.
If you travel often or have a job that keeps you busy and away from home, you can’t keep a flock of budgies. While people with a flexible schedule can get multiple budgies.
Should I get male or female budgies?
Both male and female budgies make great pets. Male budgies are more vocal and tend to be noisier. Singing and mimicking are more common among males while females tend to be a quitter.
If you are looking for a bird that can talk and mimic, you should get male budgies. While female budgies are for those who need more relaxed and quitter birds.
You should get budgies of the same gender if you don’t want to breed.
Can I keep just one budgie?
Budgies live in the flock in the wild. Budgies are social birds that like the company of other budgies. It is recommended to have a pair or group of budgies to keep them stimulated. Solo budgies will feel stressed which can cause health issues in little fellow.
A situation in which you can keep a single budgie is by providing your budgie with time and attention. You need to interact and socialize with your little pet to keep him/her happy and stimulated.
So, it is possible to have a single budgie. But it demands extra time and effort from you because you need to provide companionship to the little fellow. You can get a single budgie if you are willing to provide companionship, social interaction, mental stimulation, and attention to your budgie.
How many budgies can I keep in one cage?
It depends on the size of the cage. Budgies like to fly around for which they need a large cage. Consider the size of your cage before deciding how many budgies you should get.
Below are some recommended cage sizes for different numbers of budgies.
- One budgie: Minimum cage size of 18 inches long by 18 inches wide by 18 inches high (45cm x 45cm x 45cm)
- Two budgies: Minimum cage size of 24 inches long by 18 inches wide by 18 inches high (60cm x 45cm x 45cm)
- Three budgies: Minimum cage size of 30 inches long by 18 inches wide by 18 inches high (75cm x 45cm x 45cm)
- Four budgies: Minimum cage size of 32 inches long by 20 inches wide by 20 inches high (80cm x 50cm x 50cm)
- Five budgies: Minimum cage size of 36 inches long by 24 inches wide by 24 inches high (90cm x 60cm x 60cm)
Also read Are Budgies too loud for Apartments? | Budgies noise level.
Conclusion
You can get one budgie if you have enough time for the little fellow. Solo budgie will demand more attention and companionship from you.
Two to four budgies can prove best for you if you have a busy schedule and a tight budget. A pair or more budgies provide companionship to each other and stay happy and relaxed.
Fewer budgies require less attention from you and can be cared for easily. Start with two or three and then you can increase if you think you can manage.
