How many hours a day do you usually spend with your single budgie to keep it tame?

 

On weekends you probably spend more time with them, right?

Doesn't that "spoil" their routine?

 

Have you considered or want to get a budgie friend or you are sticking to one budgie only?

 

Is it okay to leave your budgie cage by the window, safely, not direct sun light or anything, while you are not home, at school/work, for instance? So your budgie can see outside and hear other birds and stuff. So it won't feel as lonely.

 

Chrissy... I have only Charley. He used to be alone in the room, in front of a window, while I was at work all day. I was gone from 6am till 5pm each week day but spent a lot of time with him in the evenings and on weekends. It never worried him and he has always been tame and happy . I lived in QLD and worked in the City.

 

However, I now live in a remote area in SA and at the boss's request, bring the cage, with Charley, to work every morning and take him home every afternoon. Thus he is now with me 24/7 and LOVES it. I have noticed a change in his social behaviour. He has always been tame but when other people came into the flat in QLD he would go quiet for a few minutes and was always a little wary of them if they came too close.

 

Now that people stop by the cage all day, every day and talk to him he is much more sociable and will come to the side of the cage for a scratch for almost anyone. He does have his favourites, those who are a little more quietly spoken will get a kiss on the nose, those who are a bit boisterous, he will talk to but is a little less physical with.

 

He knows when I put the cage in the car that he's off to work, he immediately starts chatting, the more bumps we go over the louder his little bells clang against the cage and the more excited he gets!

 

Once at work, the boss walks in and asks me how I am, then straight to Charley's cage with a "good morning Charley". Charley flies to the side of the cage and wants to kiss his nose. (its a good ploy on my behalf to keep in good with the boss isnt it!!

 

People have asked me why dont I get him a friend, I dont know if he would change if I put another budgie in with him. Then I think, why would I if he is so obviously happy and content. I am his friend (he adores me!!) and I think perhaps another budgie could easily upset his routine and even stress him out. I dont see the need.

 

Will read with interest though what the other members respond to your questions.

Once at work, the boss walks in and asks me how I am, then straight to Charley's cage with a "good morning Charley". Charley flies to the side of the cage and wants to kiss his nose. (its a good ploy on my behalf to keep in good with the boss isnt it!!

What a little kiss-up! Sickening!

 

 

I'm jealous - I think workplaces with animals are really great. Like offices that have cats or dogs. I'd love to bring Maurie to work but he is a pain in the butt... when he wants attention, he wants attention. I don't think anyone would get any work done, and I wouldn't keep in good with the boss.. just a hunch

 

I gave Maurie a friend, Max, because I was worried about him being lonely during the day. I get them both out before I leave work for a quick kiss and a scratch, then I tell them to be good while I'm gone (fat chance). Once I get home, I either let them have play time with the "big boys" in the aviary cage, or I wander around the house with them. Sitting at my desk isn't very successful because they can see the big cage and just keep flying to it - I usually give it up as a lost cause and just go let them inside it.

 

They spend a lot of time by themselves, and also a fair bit of time in the big cage mixing with the other birds.. but they are still tame enough to hop out and say hello. If they fall onto the floor, I can put my finger down on the carpet and they will run across the room to be picked up. It's so cute to be able to call Maurie and see him waddle all the way across the room to step up onto my hand.

 

I've only had them a few months though, so over time I hope they will become more tame and actually want to spend time with me as companions (rather than just humouring me, it seems).