One budgie or two?

Question

I'm planning on getting a budgie this weekend, but I'm not sure if I should get one or two. I know they're social birds, and while I'll interact with him as much as possible the house is empty most days of the week. Should I get two instead of one so they can chat to each other while everyone is out? Would that limit the level of socialisation that'd have with me? I've bought a cage big enough for two, so space isn't a problem.

Answer 1

If you are there all the time then you can train one more better then two.
But if you are not there all the time then two can keep each other company.
You might be able to train both if you take one out of room at a time to train to talk.

A word of advice : don't give them a mirror anywise they rather go back to the mirror then seeing you and you wont be able to train them to talk and do tricks.

Answer 2

I had that same problem when I was searching for my bird. I chose to get just the one because of loyalty issues. A single bird is very happy if it has plenty of toys that are changed out every few weeks or so and of course plenty of fresh food and water. Now if you get 2 birds, they become loyal to each other and you are the 3 party of which they may or may not let you in their inner circle. more time than not,, they will totally ingnore you unless they need something.
Good luck with your decision.

Answer 3

Sounds like you might not be there enough to make just one happy - because they do need this. So I would think two is a better choice. But if you want them to socialize with you then you should just get one at a time. And this is so you could socialize and get it use to you first so that there will be more chances of it continuing to do this with you after joining it with another. If you don t- the birds will only interract with each other and will be skittish with you. I believe this should be done for at least a couple of months or however long the particular one takes to bond with you. (Read up on methods of doing so - check out on this site - questions before this - on How do do this)

Then do the same with a second one (keep them separate while doing so - an very small inexpensive small cage will do - I got a small hamster cage and I use that one for transport - so it is not a waste of money) If you choose Baby hand feed ones - then you could get them at the same time because they are already expose thru handfeeding some socialization and the continued bonding Steps with you can be done with the two at the same time.

The Major thing is that you have to have enough time at home to go thru the proper bonding Steps with them -it takes more time in the begining then it will later - but it still reguires your continued socialization though out. So is this vivable with the amount of time you do spend at home? If you have some other people at home that will interact with them a bit - would help. Usually if you want them to bond with you and if you have just one person doing it - it goes more quickly and a bit slower if a few different people do it but the socialation is achieved. Once accomplished it will be more social with all - although differently with each one- depending on personality mixes and interaction differences. Also personality differences of the each particular bird will effect this.

The Budgies that they have in Pet Stores in the regular cage - depending how long they have been with the others are harder to train - because they have bonded with the masses of others that are there and have become a bit wilder but sometimes can be done. If you get some for bonding with you - make sure you get the youngest ones you can from there -they would have been in with the others for a shorter period and therefore not necessarily had as much time to become wilder. For choosing these you will have to trust the Pet store to direct you in this. 3 months and under are more desirable. They get some new ones in at different times so ask them if they haven t just recently got some in of that age - ask them when the next time that is likely that they will. And then you could choose one from that batch that hopefully a little less wild. They are probably delivered around the time as the Baby hand fed ones are (not all Pet stores take on the Baby handfed ones) These birds are less expensive and The Baby hand fed ones are more expensive since you get them younger and are use to be handled more by humans and nutured as a group with this type of care. Therefore it will be a quicker bonding process if kept up - with them

I started out with one from the regulars that seemed calmer and did the steps with bonding and then got a baby hand fed one to join with it later. The 1st was tamed enough to feed out of my hand and but still reserved. The Baby with its different persoanlity and had the more personal upbringing stayed very social after joining with the other one. He would continue to seek me and other family members out and the other one would follow him everywhere-but never come to us on his own.

If you end up just getting a couple for your enjoyment just to watch their interactions, antics and beauty - then the regular ones are fine. The more you stimulant them with different play things - they will be happier, livier and the more entertaining they will be.

Enjoy

Answer 4

constructive-- in simple terms be careful of combating, word heavily, and function a various cage waiting in simple terms in case. otherwise, they are very social birds and could be wonderful. I also have a budgie and a lovebird collectively and that they've been speedy friends from the get circulate.

Answer 5

It depends on your reason to keep them. If your plan to breed them, buy both at the same time...they will be more compatible. If they are for your companionship, get two, they are more amusing and enjoy being with each other. If you want to teach it to speak (they don't do very well) only buy one now...after it begins to say a few words...then get the second one....the first will help the second to learn....I am always amused by parakeet owners who brag that their bird speaks so well. When you visit them to see this remarkable creature, the bird say squak, squak, squak...and the owner says proudly..."Isn't that sweet, he said hello and how are you!"....Enjoy your pet (s)

Answer 6

it depends if you want ur budgie to be friendly with you or the other bird. if you want to halvea budgie thats fiendly with you,(u can train it) then get one
if you wnat 2 budgies, get 2, the nic thing about two is taht they will be friendly with eachother and will be more liley to chat wiht eachothher, rather thabn look for attention. if you do get 2, go fro 2 males, or a male and female.

Answer 7

It depends on how much you would like your bird to interact with you. If you have only one bird he or she will make you their flock. However if you get two they with rather spend time together than with you. Good luck.

Answer 8

Hi.If I were a little bird alone in the house I would like company, wouldn't you? I would trust my instincts here and get two of them. They will be much happier and willr elate to you twice as much. :)

Answer 9

Go for two, they will need the company, especially if your not going to be home for a while.

Answer 10

If you plan on teaching it to speak, then only get one as if you get two, they will only talk to each other.....