Hey everyone,

 

I just joined (about 2 minutes ago) and l just wanted to share the news that l'm getting my very first budgie today.

 

I'm 20 and my parents have let me get one. Before, they didn't think i'd look after it properly, but they have decided that l'm trustworthy enough

 

I fell in love with a pied one yesterday.

 

We used to have a budgie years ago, and l did clean out the cage a few times, so l have a little experience with them.

 

I have made a list of all of the things that l need.

 

Very excited and l can't wait! I will pick him/her up this afternoon!

Welcome to the site I hope you enjoy yourself. Have a read about, don't forget to check the FAQ area and feel free to ask any question.

 

Also we do LOVE pictures here

Hi and welcome to our forum :fear

 

how exciting you must feel, l know when l got my first budgie l was so excited. remeber that if you have a question, do not hesitate to ask, no questions are ever silly.

:fear Hello Missy and welcome to our site, I know you will enjoy BBC! Have a good read of the FAQ section will answer many questions on nutrition, taming, cage sizes, habits, and toys to mention a few topics. Welcome again and we look forward to your pictures, just read the picture sizing rules.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome

 

I bought it home this afternoon, and it is fitting in quite well. My 3 cats are very interested, but are only looking, not touching!

 

Because l had a bowling league on this morning, l had limited time to buy things for my bird.

 

I bought only the basics - cage, feed and water holders (with feed and water in them!), perches and a stick (the sticks with seeds stuck to them)

 

Tomorrow morning l will venture out to buy a cuttlefish/mineral block, ladder, mirror, other various toys, a skirt for the cage, and sandpaper for the perches.

 

I have taken two photos:

 

 

 

P.S. It doesn't have a name yet! I don't know if its male or female - its 6.5 weeks old (thats what the pet shop guy said) and l would really like a name for it. Any ideas?

Edited August 19, 200717 yr by Missy

Why not call her

Lilly

or

Violet

or

Jaffa

Thanks for the suggestions, but my dad had a close look at it, and he believes its a boy.

 

Dad used to own a pretty big aivery when l was little, and had a lot of budgies.

 

My friend suggested "Cotton", which l quite like. Still thinking about it though!

Cute little one. I can't see the cere in the shot to help with gender. But it looks slightly violet in colour. Try in the day time out in the sun (in the cage) for a clear shot of the cere in a bright light. Or tell us the colour and look of the cere.

 

Tomorrow morning l will venture out to buy a cuttlefish/mineral block, ladder, mirror, other various toys, a skirt for the cage, and sandpaper for the perches.

Save your money on the sandpaper for the perches. They are not good at keeping the nails trimmed and can sometimes case infection in the feet with cuts. Try instead in getting a rope perch or a natural branch from a native tree such as a gum tree to replace one of the straight dowel perches. Also if you want to try and tame him/her then wait a while for getting a mirror, they bond easier with the bird in the mirror than with humans. I know Bea, a member here, let her tame boys have mirror now with out an issue.

Save your money on the sandpaper for the perches. They are not good at keeping the nails trimmed and can sometimes case infection in the feet with cuts.

 

Ah, l never thought of that! Thanks :budgiedance: My dad will find for me a nice natural branch.

 

I will also hold off on the mirror, l'll still buy one but store it away. I just don't want him to get lonely?

Congrats, I see your new friend on the other post but popping in to say hi

I went buying crazy for my budgie!

 

I bought a bell, those balls that are attatched that hang to the cage, one of those pruning ledges - its like rough concrete. I also found a natural branch.

 

I bought some cuttlefish and some Millet.

 

I bought a big ladder too!

 

He is happy and chirping away :hap: Not to mention climbing and being clumsy!

I have just decided on a name.

 

My mum suggested l look on the internet for translations of the words "bird" "pretty" etc in other languages to see if anything interesting came about. Nothing did so l searched "Bird Names".

 

I have finally decided on Sherbert :fear.

Sherbert is a great name. Welcome Sherbert :fear

 

Sounds like he is loving the new toys and settling well.

:hap:

 

Everyone has been so nice, thank you :fear

 

I cleaned out his cage tonight for the first time, only the bottom part and l scrubbed down the wooden ladder. The perches we're too bad, but will probably need doing on the weekend.

 

I originally had two watering dishes/dispensers. I'm not sure if he is drinking the water so l took out the dish, and only left the dispenser. I fill it up to the same point so l can see how much he is drinking.

 

I am changing the water everyday - is this too much or should l do it every two days?

Fresh water every day. Even if it seems a waste. Water will evaporate in the air as well and so make the level drop slightly. Don't panic about water too much budgies can live about a month with out it. Also any lettuce or fresh veggies/fruit have water in them. Remember also to blow gentle on the seed dish to remove the husks (might be an idea to do outside)

 

Most clean the bottom of the cage weekly, but it's up to you one how often you want to clean. If he isn't too panicked about your hand around the cage I would start to try and finger tame. I'll leave it to other to explain or have a look in the FAQ area. It's been a while since I've done any taming (besides handling bubs)

Edited August 21, 200717 yr by Nerwen

Thanks

 

Although l read on a website not to give them lettuce?

 

I thought it was weird when l read it.

Iceberg lettuce is no good but the other types are okay. Humans should be eating Iceberg lettuce. For one bird just a leaf is enough or half a leaf if it's big. There are other fruit and veggies to try as well, carrot, corn, beans, sprouts, apple, pear, banana, orange, celery and broccoli.

sherbet is a wonderfull name

hmm maybe my next budgie should be called floss?

Your new budgie is beautiful, pretty color. I like the name too

He is beautiful

 

I am going to get some nice photos taken of him soon, my friend has a professional camera and is an amateur photographer. :hap:

 

Oh and l spelt his name wrong Its Sherbet

Edited August 22, 200717 yr by Missy