Hi everone,

 

I have a little budgie and

Guessing that post didn't work

 

If I assume you were asking how others clean their cage I wash everything in fresh water and then use a dilute vinegar solution to wipe it out and leave it to dry(preferably in th sun)

 

The vinegar and the sunlight both act as anti-bacterial agents.

 

Erin

sorry my little boy was hitting the keyboard

 

Just wanted to get an idea on the best way to clean my bird cage and with what? Do you just use warm water?

 

How do I get in there and clean it, I'm not game to let her out as she is not tame? What about stick the cage in the shower with it on lightly and try scrubbing it?

 

Sorry for the stupid question

I'm guessing it is a wire cage... as Erin (melbournebudgies) suggested water with vinagar... I don't think it needs to be cold or hot... Lukewarm is fine... Good luck.

Just wanted to get an idea on the best way to clean my bird cage and with what? Do you just use warm water?

 

How do I get in there and clean it, I'm not game to let her out as she is not tame? What about stick the cage in the shower with it on lightly and try scrubbing it?

 

It would be a really good idea if the budgie was somewhere else while you washed the cage

I wold catch the budgie and put it in a cardboard box with some holes in it whil you do the cage.

Erin, I would work on trying to get her used to you. I read that you had her for 4 months did you try to tame her or haven't started yet? It is best to gt the bird used to handling especially if she ever needs to go to an avian vet for any reason. Also the prime reason is washing the cage with her in it is not best. You can do some dry work like taking a paper towel and wiping off dry poo and such but your monthly cleaning she should be removed. How big is your cage?

not me Elly :offtopic:

Thanks for your replies....she has nipped my finger a couple of times when i went to carry her cage outside (yes a wire cage) so I havent been game to take her out. Whats a best way to tame a bird? Im might do some research?

 

Also can us humans catch any infections from a budgie biting us?

If it's the sort of cage which has the tabs at the bottom so that you can detach the wire from the plastic base why not leave the budgie on the perch(inside a closed room) and carefully take the wire top off with the budgie still sitting in it and put it on a sheet of newspaper while you clean the base and then just gently put the top back on again, less stressful for the budgie that way

 

 

As far as budgie bites I would say just wash your hands with soapy water if he draws blood. I have had so many bird bites I couldn't count them on two hands and I've never even had one get infected so they aren't too bad.

If it's the sort of cage which has the tabs at the bottom so that you can detach the wire from the plastic base why not leave the budgie on the perch(inside a closed room) and carefully take the wire top off with the budgie still sitting in it and put it on a sheet of newspaper while you clean the base and then just gently put the top back on again, less stressful for the budgie that way

 

I do that with my canary cage - Totally forgot that method - works a treat!!!

Given the bird is pretty wild I doubt at this stage you could get it friendly enough to sit on finger, etc. without almost constant work. Just spend as much time as possible with it and try to gradually get your hand closer to it until it lets you put it in the cage without stressing, eventually you may find it will even let you touch it. Getting the vet or a knowledgable bird person to clip it's wings may help if you aren't very confident as it will mean less stress if it gets out of the cage as it will be easier to catch.

not me Elly

"blush" opps sorry I think the whole first post then the reply messed me up (well that is my excuse )

Given the bird is pretty wild I doubt at this stage you could get it friendly enough to sit on finger, etc. without almost constant work. Just spend as much time as possible with it and try to gradually get your hand closer to it until it lets you put it in the cage without stressing, eventually you may find it will even let you touch it. Getting the vet or a knowledgable bird person to clip it's wings may help if you aren't very confident as it will mean less stress if it gets out of the cage as it will be easier to catch.

I agree completely, not to the point of tame but to the point of tolerance where she is not in panic mode when you are cleaning because they can break a wing or feathers flapping around.

Thanks for your replies..I will start to tame her tomorrow, just spend time with her, but her cage needs a big clean out.

 

Her cage doesnt come apart just the bottom tray slides out. I might get her out tomorrow in our bathroom and clean the cage in the shower and give it a good scrub with her out of it... (its going to be cold tomorrow so I rather stay inside (Laughing out loud))

 

Do you think this is the best way?

If you are going to take her out of the cage - pop her in a shoe sized box with lots of holes in it. If you let her fly around your house she will just get very stressed and hurt herself by crashing into the ceiling and windows etc.

 

I clean my quarintine cages with pure white vinigar and then hose them down outside, but thats just me

Edited April 9, 200817 yr by **Liv**

Everyone is different so you don't have to take the suggestion but you may get her wings clipped at least just once this really really helps with the process of getting her used to you, also as Liv said if she is that wild she will injure herself flying into walls or you trying to catch her could lead her to endness exhausation so I would put her in a smaller container while you clean and not let her fly until she is used to you or think about at least just 1 wing clip the wings grow back in no time at all.

Thanks for the advice, I will put her in a small box, she has been through enough.

 

again you guys have been great help!!

Everyone is different so you don't have to take the suggestion but you may get her wings clipped at least just once this really really helps with the process of getting her used to you, also as Liv said if she is that wild she will injure herself flying into walls or you trying to catch her could lead her to endness exhausation so I would put her in a smaller container while you clean and not let her fly until she is used to you or think about at least just 1 wing clip the wings grow back in no time at all.

 

 

Elly means to clip the wings once... then let them grow out and not do it again... NOT clip 1 wing. (just incase this is read the wrong way)

thank you Maise that is what I meant..

thank you Maise that is what I meant..

 

I knew that's what you meant. (Laughing out loud) Just wanted to make sure others knew that too...

Just wondering are you able to post a photo of her cage? Might help to give some ideas.

 

One method I have found great for getting animals used to me is to sit the cage next to the couch in the evening then sit down and watch TV with my hand resting just inside the door of the cage, you don't need to talk or anything initially just let her see your hand and that it isn't going to eat her! The first night she will probably sit on the other side of the cage nervously watching you after an initial flap but you'll find that after a few nights she starts to get used to you doing it. The point at which you know she is really comfortable is when she starts eating while your hand is there.

 

Another really good idea is to find a treat she loves (mine like celery tops) and give it to her only when you have your hand in the cage so that the treat is something she associates with you. Put this treat in when you sit down with her and take it out again once the training time is finished.

excellent ideas that is what I used to do with Pretty when he was a lone budgie and I had a small cage I took him in every room by me and had him next to me all the time it really helped with getting him used to me, taming is not always about touching but presence.