Feathers

I would get the 5 month old, if he is the type you wish to purchase. It certainly isn't too old. We needed to get hold of all of our budgies a little while a go to give them a drop between their shoulders and they all calmed fairly quickly using tunnelling. If the bird is a female, she might have a good bite on her, so get yourself a pair of gloves to use until she is trained. Be aware that most will go through an adolescent stage where they may refuse to do as you ask or wish them to do, but just keep working through it. It does usually get better. You and your fingers are a much warmer more comfortable perch than any dowel perch they have. All of my budgies enjoy their 'out of cage time' and they all go home again, because that is where they are comfortable and feel safe. They get used to it pretty quickly. Occassionally when you first start, as you don't have another budgie to show them to go back home you might need a towel to throw over them or a net in case you need to go out in a hurry. You should never leave them out when you are not in the house. Any more quessies, feel free to ask. There are heaps of members here with a whole lot of experience that can help you. Feathers.

He is such a pretty boy, and so confident now. It's fantastic... life is very much happier for him obviously. Great story. Feathers.

Well, 17 to start with. 3 are currently quarantined and I have yet to recieve 1 from Karen

Oh my goodness, this was just what I feared. I feel so bad for the family As I said previously I couldn't even imagine the horror of finding my birds like that. How very awful for them. I hope the RSPCA throws the book at the sitter, AND at the company. This is unforgivable. A sad Feathers.

Ahhh, my mistake.. I thought I saw red eyes in there

Good question Jayne. When does she scream, when you are trying to get her to step up? Feathers.

That is so good to see. They are all so pretty. My favourite family, I think.

They look a really good. Just maybe you wished hard enough to get your olive Feathers.

Hi, there is no need to treat them any differently to a 'normal budgie. Instead of going out into my new aviary, he will stay in here with me in a smaller cage so that he doesn't have so high to climb. Feathers.

As you said, the bubs are adorable.. that is as much as I know. Great pics. Feathers.

Chik'n is a teeny weeny little creamino boy

Yep, the RSPCA can recommend that they be banned from owning that type of pet again. It is up to the judge in the case to decide whether to hand down that order. Great going, Kerrie. Even if only one had been saved it was well worth it. Feathers.

Ahh, I was going to question MR Nero They are beautiful, nice flock. Feathers.

I'm assuming the adopted on is the ino? Otherwise how will you know who is who? Feathers.

Great. I hope it's nothing more than a respiritory infection. *hugz* Feathers.

Gorgeous birds. Thanks for the pics. Feathers.

Hi Eyal, and welcome. Wing trimming is a very personal issue, some do it, others don't like it, so that is up to you. It is often quicker and easier to tame clipped birds, but personally, I have never clipped any of mine. There are several methods you can use to train your budgie and you will find lots doing a web search on the topic. Some favour teaching them to step up on your finger in the cage first, sometimes using treats such as millet sprays. Others use a 'tunnelling' method, where you circle your hands around the budgie and let him step from one to the other over and over, always keeping your hands around him(swapping from one hand to the other). You can do the tunnelling by putting him on your shirt too and circling as her walks up. It is also a good idea to start "out of cage" time in a small room where you have checked for any dangers first (ie if you use a bathroom; toilet seat down, windows and mirrors covered so he doesn't fly straight into them) Hope this helps, Feathers.

I couldn't access it in my chair because you walk in forward, through a door, into a very small section, then turn left or right to open a door and go in. I can hobble on my heels a little, it just hurts lots. I am on the lookout for the bottom half of a computer chair (we have council pickup happening here at the moment and everyone puts out their old bits and pieces they don't need). If I don't find one I will buy a $30.00 one I saw yesterday in a department store. It can remain in the aviary all the time, covered in plastic Thanks for that, Sarah. I looked them up online yesterday and I have been racking my brain all night to think what we might need that required the use of a large trailer. They are free for 2 hours then I will phone and find out how much they cost to hire. Well and truly, she and Ken have gone above and beyond their call of duty for me a couple of times. They will be coming. Can't wait to get it. Thank you very much, Karen. I was thinking I just might pinch back some of that cot we found.. I could use it now If you come across the feeders, great, but don't go out of your way to look, please Karen. I will check the place around the corner from me tomorrow. Fantastic idea to get those ones. A very excited Feathers.

I am constantly amazed at how they look after each other so well Babies feeding babies (like Sonrisa), Dad's feeding mums. Bubs preening adults. They are such brilliant community minded creatures What a lovely moment for you, Kerrie Feathers.

[hides from Reibe] Thanks Karen . You are absolutelyt right there. He just loves snuggling into small spaces. I didn't expect chik'n to start doing it too. I had him on my tummy and he decided to worm his way under the blankets. They are both delightful little birdies. Feathers.

Thanks Karen, will do. In all the excitement I forgot all about the blue boy. Yay, 21 budgies.. I must remember to change my profile. I have asked a friend of my brother (because my brother works up north on a mine) if he could help me and that was the best day for him. Now I just need to organise the hire of a car trailer, as it is too big for a normal one..... Pheobe and Shawna, you get used to the heat. Yesterday was awful due more to the humidity than the heat. I have an air-con in my lounge and one in my room. There would be more houses without air conditioning than with it probably. The only reason I got mine was because extremes in temperature affects my pain syndrome too much. Feathers.

It's definitely a good idea to mist your birds on the really hot days. Feathers.

Pascale is a "runner budgie" and has no flights or tail feathers, due to pulpitis when he was a baby. Chicken was the 'runt' of a clutch from the same parents 6 months later, he was badly pecked by a parent, and we believe he may have a heart condition, you can quite often just see his little chest pumping. They are getting all the love we can give them for however long they can be with us Feathers.

Wylie is beautiful Feathers.

Yay! I am now the proud owner of a new, used, aviary. I didn't think to get a photo at the time, so you shall all have to wait until I get it home. Yesterday Bubbles phoned through a couple of ads in a local trading paper, the first guy wasn't home and the second lady said she still had it. I explained that I was in a wheelchair and would have to organise a way to get there to look at it. So yesterday afternoon (after waiting all morning for a delivery that didn't show) I headed out in over 40 degree temps (it was 106 F) to catch a bus that was normally accessible. The first one came along, and it was an old bus, so I waited, for 1 hour in the sun. The next bus came along - same thing. Now I had phoned her after each bus, firstly to say the bus was no good, and the second time to tell her the same thing, but that I would try again in the morning. I phoned Bubbles fairly dejected, she said "If it's meant to be you'll get it". "Wow", I thought, "She's right" So I stopped worrying about it. So we headed out this morning and along the way I was trying to call to see if she was home. It kept going to message bank but I headed her way anyway, believing "If it's meant to be she will be home". When I got there she was delighted to see me. She had other callers asking about the aviary but she told them all that they wouldn't be able to see the aviary until after 2pm - she wanted me to see it first. It's perfect! And now it's mine. It is big enough that I could have 3 seperate sections in it, if I so wished. It currently has 2 and has a double safety door. I'm so happy. Whilst waiting for the bus yeaterday I bought a heap of new toys for my new aviary I didn't own yet and now I do It should be coming home to me on Tuesday evening So, thanks Karen..... It was meant to be Feathers.