Elly

I find that my budgies always preferred thicker perches too that makes them more stable at night and a rope perch or a soft plastic type perch they love because it is comfortable on their feet.

mess that you made.... Now it is time to ____________________.

I have a plastic toy one with a bell on it no one uses it anymore. Merlin likes the one I made for him or I also bought him a ladder that has swishy plastic rungs and I hang that and he sits on the top rung. This is now his favorite spot.

I assume he is kept with the other 4 budgies you have too? Do you think it could be initiated from the other budgies in the cage?

Preening is a natural behavior between opposite sexes and same sexes this is very normal. Pretty and Merlin both boys always preened each other :budgiedance:

looking good

Oh my gosh you should have taken a picture of that

The chicks leave the box (fledge) between 4 and 5 weeks of age. However, they should not be removed from their parents until they can crack seeds competently on their own. This is usually at about 6 weeks of age. Six weeks is not always the exact age, more a guideline. Some chicks may be able to eat on their own before then and some may take a little longer. from our FAQ section by Bea By Kaz Answer: You can move your chicks to a nursery cage once they are fully eating alone and not reliant on the parents. Age for that varies from 5-6 weeks on. Some chicks take a backward step and actually get depressed and stop eating, so watch out for that. Supply good food and vegies, plenty of it...especially food dishes at floor level and easy for them to find. If you think they are ready, move them out, but watch for signs of trouble ( not eating ) . answered by BBC moderator Kaz So personally based on the answers above. I would move them to a nursery cage for at least a week to observe them BEFORE you adopt them out to anyone so you can watch for signs of distress. Once they pass your test that they are eating on their own, acting healthy etc... then you can adopt them to friends, family and others.

thank you for the update, bless Sara...

good to hear

I can't believe the stock market has dropped to all all time low :

what a gorgeous set-up especially the skyview I assume those are your children I really like the one of the boy holding all three budgies up in his hand (great picture for our Budgie of the Month Competition Do you have any pictures of your aviaries from the outside view to give us a even better idea of how large they are and the sizes . Again welcome.

What type of swing is it? I have 2 swings and Merlin prefers the natural branch swing I made because it is thick, long and it is not too close to the top of the cage. He sleeps on it for the night.

glad she is okay

Welcome to BBC, there is so much information as you said a great FAQ section that we add to all the time plus...

welcome to BBC and I agree if you can post a close-up picture that would be wonderful.

wonderful pictures and great commentary :ausb:

well giving a nesting box to a pair birds is the initiative they need to breed so moving it around to transport them, and watching them go in and out is cute to you but in reality is teasing the birds mentally. They are finding interest going in and out which means they are checking it out "possibly" to breed so if the birds are of breeding age (1 yr or older) and you are ready to take on the responsiblity of breeding it should be left in one place. (I don't mean to come over mean... - but to me it is like giving a baby candy and then taking it away) cute for us but mentally not good you know .

Are you looking to breed them? I can't remember if you were or not? okay I saw your other post that about breeding them? I am not an expert but I don't think it is good to be moving the nest box about if they (or you) are going to breed them?

Gotcha Daz... Was asking to see what exactly happened in this situation.

Wonderful news Love the name and don't worry about the water it is rare I see Merlin drink water

How wonderful Kaz Congrats on your winnings on all your birds (Laughing out loud) about your hen

they are gorgeous look like good size birds too

oh my goodness how can you guarantee the budgie is not going to take a bath in it. These companies!!

That is SO true Kaz. Merlin's blue is way more intense then the siggy picture. You do have that 1 baby that really came out looking purplish, maybe in one of your breeding journals?