Vicky

Woops! Millet not Mullet! Here we go, bars are fixed up, stringy bits trimmed and I was able to remove the mirrors but keep the bell! I know Nerwen said not to go crazy, but she seems to be having so much fun with everything, she's been flying from toy to toy and checking everything else... plus she gave me the evil eye when I took the millet out, so I dare not take anything else hehe

Woops! Posted at the same time - sorry!!!! Thanks for that I will DEFINITELY look into getting them switched front to back, She's falling asleep now so I might do that while she sleeps I've put a little shallow bird bath type dish in the bottom of the cage in case she wants a bath but will take it out tonight Also gave her some mullet which after a little gentle coaxing she took from me Thanks again

JUST GOT HOME!!!!! Awe the budgie is an ABSOLUTE sweetie, she even let me stroke and pat her when I was there (And not the terrified frozen in place kind, the sort of inquisitive kind). Anyway once we put her in the box for transport (with a nice fluffy cloth and a bit of yummy weed!) she was so terrified! Was making that scared squawking sound so I made little chirping noises and talked to it really gently and she/he calmed right down. Talked to her the whole way home too (about 40 minutes!) near the end she started chirping back to me She was terrified moving from the box to the cage though and I accidentally let her go, she flew around a little bit then let me pick her up once I calmed her down a bit and now she's going NUTS on the little bit of food I sprinkled on the bottom of the cage (Sorry I can't remember who posted the suggestion for that - thank you whoever it was!) Also - The pet store was great and took back the cage and the sandpaper floor stuff so below I have a couple of pictures of the new budgie and one of the new cage And I tried to find some of the grit but the pet shop didn't sell it so looking for some places to get it from ASAP Anyways... She.. or He is just LOVELY although she doesn't like looking at the camera hehe Oh! and this youtube video - she started chirping back to it (between stuffing her face with seeds!) Oh, new cage is 42cm x 42cm x 61cm Thoughts? I know it's looking rather barren need more toys and play things! But don't want to compromise wandering space )

Hrm. Just wondering - I imagine a lot of new pet owners wouldn't know the "Do's" and "Don't" of owning a bird. I know a few little things from major stuff ups when I was a kid but that's pretty much about it. All of you on this website have this wealth of knowledge from years of breeding/showing/caring for your birds - I had a search but couldn't find a "Don't try this" thread where people can add disastrous things to do so people can *Hopefully* read it before trying it (Maybe sticky it in the "Newbie" thread?). I know there is one on toxic foods/items and bar width - but a thread where people can just put up random "I tried this, it was terrible" or "Turns out my Cat liked the new budgie on rye - Tip : If you have a bird and a cat, one needs to be in a cage at ALL times" or "Always quarantine a new addition for XX days" and of course "Don't release a caged budgie - it can spread diseases / become a pest / be killed by other birds for "human" smells / unable to fight for itself against other birds. I think I can relate a bit to Pops - when I get a "REALLY GOOD" idea in my head, I tend to "Jump" before really reading up about the consequences which seems like a trait poor Pops might have had too. I know the idea of releasing an animal to be free is such a wonderful feeling, but you can actually condemn them to death... good feeling gone Having a single thread of "Do not do!" might help other "Bunny Huggers" (lol) or "Bunny Hunters" () get the information straight away and MAY possibly avoid other such situations (If a bad idea feel free to let me know haha )

okay cool, thanks again Splat!

Hi Maddy & Bren Thanks!! I'll be getting one today... I've made a massive list of things to look for so if by any chance one of you turns out to be the breeder - I'm so so sorry, but it may take a while >.< The guy said that they are a week out of the nest so I guess it will be luck as to if it is a boy or girl. I will see when I get there though I will trade the cage though, I figure it would be best to do now with the sand paper and I'll see about the calcium bell and grit while I'm there. Will post a picture when I get home

okay... I did a big search for shell grit stuff and found lots of for's and against - a few "It killed my budgie" That being said though there seems to be a logical argument FOR it but in moderation or you can clog up their digestive system with the insoluble type of grit not to mention opening up a whole new world of Iodine, Chicken bones and Steak Dinners... (I'm getting a feeling the budgie will be my master!) I found a thread on BBG for grit (like shell grit) So I just posted in here Thank you Splat... With two simple words you managed to confuse and increase my knowledge Thanks (Oh! Also - I found the receipt )

okay... sorry I'm a bit new to this... I've read through all the posts and I have come to the conclusion that I can get the F-Vite and give that to a budgie all year round to replace the need for a cuttlebone, iodine bell or grit. (Of course give them fresh uncooked green veges, carrots and the like also... and good seeds of course!) Would that be okay? Thanks >.<

Hi Splat! It's high not wide!! I will drop by the pet shop tomorrow morning and see if I can take it back and swap it for the wide one rather than the high one! Thanks for that Also the shell grit... Sorry but how exactly do you give that to them? Is it like a thing I hang in the cage?

Hi all, Just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU! All the posts in here are just fantastic. I grew up with Budgies as my Dad built a literally massive aviary off our deck and bred them (had a total of about 18 in there - not as many as some of you, but basically a mansion sized very roomy and happy habitat for some beloved family members) that was until a certain daughter (hrm I wonder who ) accidentally left the door open and they discovered an even bigger aviary - the World! I can only hope they were okay in the wild... but I have a feeling they weren't I'm adopting a baby budgie (1 week out of the nest) and I was thinking "Oh it was EASY and we had so much FUN, it was GREAT!" and I sort of missed out on all the "Do" and "Don't". I have definitely increased my shopping list and will be terrifying my husband a bit tomorrow with all the running around! Below is a picture of what I have so far... (Doh... Just realised I got my chrissy lights in the photo... yes... they are still hanging up :Shame: ) Anyway - I went out today and bought a few items... will be going out tomorrow and RETURNING a few items (Sand Paper sheets) Not to mention the bad things about mirrors! I've left it in there for the moment for the bell while I hunt for a better toy and "Rotational" toys. I HOPE the cage size is okay for the moment (14x27x18in (or) 34x68x45cm) I know a lot of the websites I have researched say even the much smaller version of cage is fine - but I'd prefer them to be "Happy" than to "Cope". I would LOVE for someone who knows what they are talking about to tell me "It's okay!" or even that it's not so I can start finding a better option. If it IS okay - How many would you think to put in there? I'm thinking definitely no more than two. I was also going to adopt two budgies but after reading the posts on taming I think I will go with the one... But knowing me I will probably fall in love with all and come home with two... I would feel slightly mean not adopting a "pair" but in the interest of gaining a really happy relationship with Ms.Budgie I may need to force myself to start off with just one. I fully plan on letting her/him out of the cage as I would feel terrible not doing so (Thank you for the information on best ways to do that!!! My 7 year old self had some... interesting techniques which when looking back - I'm surprised how much the budgies liked us!) I have a cuttlebone, Millet sprays and the worm treatment stuff. Some of the things I plan on picking up tomorrow - News paper and soft perches. Also need some things for him/her to climb as most the bars are vertical which leaves no climbing toys! My "wish" for the moment is for the Budgie to be a new family member and then to build it up from there. Eventually I would like to build an aviary like my Dad did and have a whole lot of happy little budgies. Any other suggestions for essentially a "Starter-upper-er"?