Hi,

I am new to the board, and to budgie grandparent hood.

3 of my 4 kids today purchased 5 budgies (2 sets of breeding pairs and one show female) at our local show, from a local breeder and member of the bird club. We rushed out and got an aviary not a fabulous one, this one has 4 open sides and a sealed roof. Looks like an overgrown cage. We put them all I. There no hassles, but when we went to bring them inside tonight the cage wouldn't fit through the door. so we covered it with a blanket and put it in our shed, we plan on building a large semi enclosed out door aviary.

But in all honesty it was a bit of a surprise purchase, the kids had never mentioned birds before, and whilst I had a budgie as a child myself it was a single harlequin who passed away whilst in the care of my housemate one weekend 2 yrs after I got it.

So any advice would be fantastic that I can give my kids aged 2 yrs to 10 yrs.

also I would like to (if possible) put plants in their aviary once built any particular ones to plant/avoid?

We have put nesting boxes in, according to the breeder 2 of them (blue pair) where ready to go.and in the words of my 10 yr old "Mia and Patrick keep kissing" with soil in as instructed.

My kids also weeded a section of the veg garden and planted silver beet for them I hope this is okay?

Also would it be worth building their own aviary or putting them in with the chickens as someone else suggested?

Regards

bec

 

First I would take any breeding cages out until you have done a lot of reading about rearing and breeding budgies. All information you need can be found on here somewhere, aviary's, cage set up, food etc.

Secondly. No plants in cage whatever plants are safe they will shred them quicker than it took to put them in.

Really check out safe plant list under the f.a.q. section on here. SILVER BEET IS okay. they love it. Also corn on the cob. carrots tops and all etc

.

nest box with soil in as instructed. What does this mean? We don't put soil in box's. maybe wood shavings, rolled oats, even kitty litter. but I have never heard of putting soil in.

I would not put them in with chickens. A budgie only aviary would be best, some people have quail on the floor but an semi covered aviary with CEMENT OR PAVERS for flooring would be okay. soil floors bring disease as I would suggest could chickens.

 

I hope this helps a bit but until you read up on things I would not even consider letting them breed. You have to know if they are in breeding condition, ages of birds, food requirements etc. Ask any questions you need to know and someone will get back to you. Good luck and keep posting.

Hi Hombschfamily

Pse heed Robyn's advice! I've just lost 2 females who went "onheat" and were breeding. They both died! If a bird is younger than a year she is not equipped to breed. My Lilac died from a fungal infection in the airpipe. From being fine with no signs of illness or weakness in 1 week! She laid a tiny egg, then a massive one that was completely too big4 a budgie! Their immune system undergoes immense stress when breeding and if they are too young they do not have enough resources in their tiny bodies to overcome this or any infection. They need their own aviary or large cages. Its also no game for children. Keeping a budgy or 5 as pets is fine but breeding is another story. Pse be careful and read all+ any info you can find. It will save much heartache+ tears for your kids. They don't like cold, damp or draughty conditions.they get airpipe infections, which they die from.I've had mine at the vet+ even with anti-fungal meds+anti-biotic treatment: they died!

Chickens carry the worst avian diseases that I know so best keep the budgies away from them! Seems birds of a feather Do Not flock together! Note that Avocado pear and most fruit pips( like apple pips) r toxic to budgies as some plants are..my birds all love lettuce and apple (decore) and strawberries but their main food is Budgie seed+ Millet spray. I put tonic in water regularly, available at pet stores or Avian suppliers, also oils like wheatgerm on seeds at times. Birds that r sleepy and puffed up all the time have an underlying health issue.furthermore read read read+ google. I have 50 birds and a big outdoor avery plus 7 cages on my Patio, lovebirds, finches,indian ringneck (2),1x canary, Java Sparrows but mostly Budgies. They r my favourite. Good luck! Maz7

Hi Hombschfamily

Please heed the advice already given by maz7 and robyn its good advice.

Quick recap;

soil in nest box = disease

In with chickens = disease and attack from chickens

Silver Beet = budgies love it and its good for them

Plants in aviary = dead plants and possibly birds

 

Hi all ,

Thank you. I'll remove the boxes and soil we only put them in under instruction of their breeder and he supposedly is part of the a aviarian club in a local town. Once we get a big cage I'm looking to convert a small shed we will either pave or cement it. They did well last night and are very happy chirpy this morning. I'll keep working my way through the site trying to figure it out. My dad, who used to breed canaries has been ringing with advice too

Thanks Bec

Welcome to the forum.

Glad to hear you are getting great advice from members on here and your Dad.