Do you own a budgie? Or several??

 

I'm currently undertaking my Masters, at Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design, London. My topic of focus is Birdcages for companion birds.

 

I'm looking for budgie owners to complete a short questionnaire relating to the habits and living quarters of their budgie/s.

 

It's possibly the most fun you've had all day (and then some!)

 

The survey is short, and is available from:

 

 

www.FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=nq8e1819qgqhln1544875

 

 

Thanks for your help, it's greatly appreciated!

 

Allison Moore

MA Design

Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design

Done

Will do! Happy to help where I can.

I'm done too

Your survey seems aimed at the average budgie owner with a small number of household budgies. I began to fill out your survey but the multichoice questionaire didnt allow for my budgie keeping so I was unable to help you.

I'm done too.

 

I can see why it was not right for you Kaz, its really only suited for people who have inside pet birds.

done!

l have filled it out

Done.

 

The test doesn't cater for people who have both indoor and outdoor birds very well.

 

I think a good question to add would be whether people would choose a cage that would give the budgie more exercise and room and make it happier (ie a long flight cage) over something ornamental and small (ie round cages or small cages or tall cages). There was a question similar to that.

i done it

Done

Done

I finished it.

"The test doesn't cater for people who have both indoor and outdoor birds very well.

 

I think a good question to add would be whether people would choose a cage that would give the budgie more exercise and room and make it happier (ie a long flight cage) over something ornamental and small (ie round cages or small cages or tall cages). There was a question similar to that."

 

 

Thanks for your reply; it's a very valid point. There has been a far share of feedback along similar lines, and will be addressed.

Done it.

 

You know, you should ask if people have other companion animals....because it does impact on how often budgies get out of their cage for exercise.

 

Good luck with your research.

 

Cheers

Thanks everyone who responded; we had a fantastic result and the responses have now been collated.For the results, please have a look at;

 

www.birdlivingspace.co.uk

 

And please do let me know your thoughts/comments/feedback!

 

Allison

Edited May 22, 200916 yr by birdcage

Very interesting, Allison.

As a veterinary student, I have encountered the opinion that keeping a bird as a pet is cruel. Their particular concern was the caging of an animal. The word cage appears to have a lot of negative connotations. Again and again, I explain what I have seen in my own birds. My two budgies are allowed free flight around the room while I study. When they are out, they fly and play and forage. However, they will return the cage, often, for quite long periods. For them the cage is a refuge: While they are inside it, there is a promise that they can rest in a sheltered, relatively "small" (compared to the room) place without worrying about things in their surroundings (like people moving around and making noise), feed and sleep undisturbed without human expectations (like training, playing and performing). Yes, that same thing is offerred outside the cage, but it can't always be controlled (try as one might). Nothing frightening or overwhelming has ever happened in the cage. Even if a (silly) human has made a sudden movement or noise, the walls of the cage seems to provide them a sense of physical safety (outside, they take off and race around like mad). In other words, they feel safest and most secure there. They choose to go in and out (unless I have to leave the room). They are tame, so there is no need for capture and restraint.

I explain this to those opposed to the cage and they are often surprised by it, particularly the part where the birds actually go back in for long periods, of their own accord. So I'm intrigued by what your study brings up.

 

Living Space. I like it.

Edited May 22, 200916 yr by Chrysocome

Chrysocome thanks for your feedback, it's incredibly useful!

 

"As a veterinary student, I have encountered the opinion that keeping a bird as a pet is cruel. "

 

I'm interested in whether these opinions are coming from general public, or fellow students? While I can see the general public having concerns about cruelty - I thought veterinary students would be approaching the issue from a different (more informed?) perspective...?

 

"Again and again, I explain what I have seen in my own birds."

 

Yes, I too have this problem, which was one of the driving forces behind my MA. I found it so compelling that someone could walk into my lounge room where my bird sits in his cage, and cluck and cooo and say, "Ohhhhh poor little thing." Then moments later I take her out of the cage and as soon as she's on your finger, interacting - they think it's brilliant.

 

I believe that if we can shift the thinking behind 'cage' - most effectively by re-designing the way in which we make 'cages' - then you won't need to keep explaining about your budgies.

 

"I explain this to those opposed to the cage and they are often surprised by it, particularly the part where the birds actually go back in for long periods, of their own accord."

 

Yes! I think this finding is key to shifting public perception - it's now just a matter of finding the best means of implementing it (!)

i have done it Good luck with your research