Budgies also known as budgerigar are the third most kept pets, after cats and dogs. They are popular because of their colorful feathers, playful social personality, and ability to mimic words. Budgies are one of the smallest pet birds, requiring less space and supplies for a healthy life. This makes budgies easy to care for.
Provide your budgie with a large cage, different toys, a balanced diet, and regular grooming and vet checkups to ensure that they live a healthy and happy long life.
It must be a question for a beginner “How to care for a budgie”. If you just added or locking to add these little fellows to your family, don’t worry because caring for a budgie is simple and easy.
Are budgies easy to take care of?
The answer in a nutshell would be yes. Budgies are one of the smallest pets which are social and active. They require less space and food compared to other pets. Their small size makes it easy to handle and care for them. Below are some suggestions which help you understand how to care for a budgie.
Choosing the right cage
Proper sized cage is the first requirement before bringing budgies home. A cage is the all and only space where your budgies will spend their whole life. Being active birds, budgies like to fly and explore around in the cage. A large cage with enough space to fly would be suitable. Recommended cage size for 2 budgies is 24 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches high.
Make sure the cage is made up of safe materials. Stainless steel or powder-coated metal is the recommended material for budgie’s cages. Metals prone to rust i.e. iron, zinc, and aluminum, are unsafe for bird cages. A cage made of wood, bamboo, or plastic can be chipped away with beaks.
Budgies make a lot of mess in the cage. Cleaning a cage could be a tough and reluctant job. Prefer a cage with removable trays for easy cleaning.
Cage accessories
Add some perches of different sizes, shapes, and textures in the cage. Budgies like to fly from one perch to other. Different kinds of perches are available in the market made of different materials i.e. wood, plastic, PVC, milled wood dowel, lubber/latex, etc.
Toys are important to keep your budgies stimulated. You can add a different kinds of toys like bells, ladders, balls, swings, etc. in the cage to keep birds engaged.
Budgies like to bathe and play in the water. You can add a bathtub in their cage which will help budgies to bathe and stay clean. Different types of bathtubs are available in pet stores. Look for a plastic tub that can hang outside the cage if your budgie cage is not enough specious.
Feed budgies properly
A balanced diet is key to budgie’s good health. To care for budgie health, provide your budgie with a variety of food including pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and cereals. Avoid feeding your budgies fatty foods which can cause health risks.
Provide your budgies with fresh and clean water. Keep food pots and dishes neat and clean by washing them regularly.
Health care and grooming
Regular vet checkups and grooming are important for budgie’s health. You must ensure that your vet attends to your budgie if the budgie is not behaving normally. It may be loss of appetite, change in drooping, breathing difficulty, or sitting in one corner all day.
Budgies also need grooming every couple of months. Budgie’s grooming includes nail trimming, feather trimming, feather cleaning, and beak cleaning. Keep the cage of the budgies clean and hygienic to avoid any health issues.
Entertainment for budgies
Budgies are active fliers. Leaving in the same cage could prove boring for these little fellows. They need a few hours out of their cage in an open space for recreation. You can use a room with closed windows for this purpose.
Provide companionship
Budgies are social birds and like companionship. Budgies live in colonies in the wild. If you own a single budgie and do not spend time with him/her your budgie will go into depression. It is recommended to have more than one at a time because two or more budgies will give company to each other which will help to keep them healthy and happy.
Cleaning budgie’s cage
It is vital to clean your budgie’s cage on regular bases to ensure the health and well-being of your little pets. Dirty cages cause different problems in the budgies including respiratory infections and other health issues.
Rinse the budgie’s cage and other accessories properly with cage cleaner spry, a mixture of water and vinegar, or mild dish soap to sanitize the cage from all the germs. Avoid using other strong cleaners which are dangerous for birds’ health.
Read more Is Budgie a Good Pet? | All About Budgies
Monitor budgies health
Notice your budgies closely and visit your vet in case of budgie’s illness or discomfort. Fluffed feathers, loss of appetite, discomfort, and wheezing are some common signs of illness in budgies. You need to seek advice from your pet veterinarian in such conditions promptly.
