My new Budgie - a few questions.?

Question

I bought a new budgie from the pet shop today, it is a small baby. When we chosen it and removed from the cage it was in, it had a mate, i think. They we're both together, and looked at each other recently. My bird is very quiet and evasive. I know this may be because it is not tame, but could this possible ahve something to do with loosing it's mate? We are going back to the shop tomorrow to buy the mate as we think it will be better to have the two budgies so the one we have is not alone. What do you think?

Also, how does my budgie know where it's food and water is? I managed to put some seeds on my fingers and the bird had a little nibble at them, so i gathered he was hungry. But I dont think he knows where his food tray is as he hasn't been near it yet. Any ideas.

Thanks

Answer 1

ForestDweller has said it all really,apart from..........do not put two females together. If you do, and they fight,it will be to the death. Take care.

Answer 2

Most of what has been stated above is great advice. I would sprinkle some of the seed over the bottom of the cage (doesn't work if the cage has a grill) They seem to find it better that way then the dish of it a few feet off the ground. They love millet spray when ever I get a new bird that is the first thing I give them and they will eat that before finding the normal seed dish. Hanging it over the seed or near the seed helps as well.

Budgies can live a long time with out water so don't panic if you don't see your bird drink over the next few days.

If you want two birds by all means head back and get the friend but if you want to tame this bird and have it as part of the family it's best to have it alone to work with. The bird can bond easier and quicker to each other and are then happy to ignore the rest of the world. For this reason mirrors are not a good thing to add to the cage when taming. Once the first bird is happy to be around you many have had success with adding another bird to the family.

Do not worry about the gender of the two birds, if you can tell them part and do not wish to breed later (once the birds are old enough) you can have the same gender in a cage. Either males or females. Yes hens can turn on each other when there is enough nesting sites for them to breed but as pets get along fine.

Answer 3

1.) Parakeet is the name of a GROUP of species of small parrot, which include budgies. It would be correct to call a budgie or cockatiel 'parakeets,' and you may hear them called 'budgie parakeets.' 2.) Budgies in pet shops are rarely what you would call friendly. Taming them is up to you. You may ge ones that are more easily tamed than others but that's it. Pet shops have too many of them- ususally in an aviary or stacked cages- to be able to tame them all. The younger you get them, the more tame they will become. Females are more aggressive. When you first pick them up (male or female) they will bite you, but it isn't enough to break the skin so don't worry about getting hurt. 3.) 3 years or more, I think. 4.) You tell the sex of a budgie by the 'cere'. This is the bulge at the top of their beak with two little nostrils in. In the females it's pink/brown, and in the males its blue/purple. 5.) The best budgie food is the loose seed from a pet shop. The seed that you buy in boxes (like Trill) is inferior because you have no idea how long it has been sitting in a factory or in a box for. You may wish to buy them a millet spray as well but don't always have one in there- it isn't a balanced diet and they could get fat. Always supply grit, and a cuttle fish and mineral block. These help with digestion, wear down the beak and supply vital minerals. 6.) A little bit of fruit and vegetable is good for them. Leafy stuff goes down best and is probably most similar to what they'd eat in the wild (eucalyptus,). 7.) There isn't a 'budgie food,' that you can't feed. I don't understand this question, just don't feed anything that isn't fruit, veg or seed. No chocolate or bacon butties. 8.) The best budgie cage is a big one. I've seen budgies in silly, cheap little cages where they can never do anything but sit there doing nothing, plus they're on their own- that's cruel. They must be able to flutter from one side to the other comfortably, and be able to stretch their wings fully in all directions. The bars of the cage should be horizontal so that they can climb them. I would recommend (for two budgies) a cage about 60 to 100cm long, 60-80cm high and 40- 60cm wide (this is an estimate). It would probably cost about £40-50 new, but I got mine second hand for £6.00, so have a scout about or look in the paper. 9.) Ideally you should let them out of he cage every day for exercise, but if your budgie has been bought as an untamed adult and you know you will never be able to get it back into the cage then this is unrealistic. As long as you have two in a good cage they should flap about and get a fair amount of exercise in the cage. 10.) I don't know, because I've never bred budgies. I have read they are quite easy to breed.

Answer 4

Hi. Babies don't have mates. If they are siblings genetic disasters may be their offspring. The bird needs 1-2 weeks to adjust to you and with work will. Give it a good pelleted food which is superior to an all seed diet. Seeds should be 20 percent of its diet and 20 percent fresh fruit and veggies. One bird is easier to train than 2 because they will be more bonded to each other than you. Add another bird later if you wish. I found there is no standard for nutrition on birds, but I use Zupreem because its creator also created Science Diet for dogs.Show him the seed cup. Instinct will take over. I use a water bottle that attaches to the outside of the cage. No more poopy water. Have a tweet Christmas.

Answer 5

Your new baby budgie will find its food dish--it just needs a couple days to get used to its new cage and surroundings. It may sit still and not move for awhile. Mine didn't even drink water for a couple days. But once it feels secure and realizes there is no danger, it will begin to explore its cage. A second bird, especially if you can find its companion, will help it feel more comfortable.

You could clip some spray millet on the cage, a favorite treat of budgies, that may encourage him to eat. If you put a light colored cloth over one end of the cage, say cover a third of it, he may feel a little more secure going in the covered corner, like being in a nest box, where he can observe his new surroundings. After the first week, he should be his usual playful self--especially with a companion.

A second bird is always a good idea if you're not going to be with the bird all the time--like if you have to leave it to go to work or school for part of the day. It would be lonely by itself. Two are fun to watch how they interact.

Be sure to give your bird(s) an hour a day to exercise their wings. Make a parakeet tree out of clean branches where they can fly to and climb around on outside the cage--after they've adopted their cage as their new home and feel secure in it.

Answer 6

When you first get a budgie home, it is in a new and scary place, and it may take a few days to adjust.

It's very possible you won't see your budgie eat, drink, or even move for a few days. However, if you leave it alone for awhile you'll probably notice that it has been eating.

You don't need to get another bird. Right now you need to work on acclimating the one you've got and getting it trained. You also need to get it checked out at the vet. You can find one at http://aav.org/vet-lookup

You can find a lot of useful information at http://www.budgietalk.com

Answer 7

I would think a baby animal/bird of any sort would act this way. It's the first time being away from its siblings/other birds/or mom, so, its only natural that it'll seem quiet and evasive. I know dogs are like that. My mom had 2 budgies (both at different times) and they loved her. She played with them so much and they talked their little heads off. When mom got a job, the first budgie we had died of being lonely....it was so sad and mom was crying! All animals/birds will find their food and water dishes....its just instinct. Anyway, good luck with your bird!

Answer 8

Your parakeet is a baby if it begs for food, otherwise it is a fledged juvenile capable of finding it's own food, unless the pet shop operator did tell you to hand feed him. The bird is a gregarious species and as such does not enjoy life in solitude. Budgies should be bought in pairs they will produce offspring you will be able to tame to become good pets. If your bird is sitting on the bottom of the cage fluffed-up that is a sign of depression or sickness. The vent area should be dry and clear of droppings(feces), if not then you have a sick bird, do not get another from that pet source. Purchase only very active or vocal birds, alert and responsive to their environment. Good luck.

Answer 9

As long as his food is handy, he will find it> Don't worry about that, he will be in a bit of a state of shock, because of his new environment for awhile, but will snap out of it quickly. If you want him as a companion, and your best friend, you're better off to not have two in same cage! You can help him adapt quicker, if you spend all the time with him, that you can. Leave his door open, and let him on your shoulder, the table, back of your chair, or anywhere close to you. He will bond quickly, and maybe stronger than maybe you are prepared for!!! Give him time---he is like a young child in a new school, but will warm up rapidly, and fit right in. The more attention, you can give, the more he will like it--just be prepared to keep on doing it!!! Birdman

Answer 10

I raised budgies for a long time... The above advice is all good. However, if you want your bird to get attached to you he must not have another keet companion. Or else it will gravitate toward his kind. At first he will be sad and would not eat much and even start shedding his feathers...but he/she will get over it and hopefully you will have a bird will will treasure for a long time. It's a good thing you bought a baby...they are easier to train. And for the time you are at school give it a mirror for company... You may clip its flight wing feathers (The first four or five long ones on the wing) at first, eventually they will grow back. Daily, let it fly around the house making sure all doors/windows are shut. Good luck...

Answer 11

You said you have a baby budgie. A good begining food for most pet birds is millet along with their regular food. Alot of babies will eat the millet before trying their bugie food. You should put it close to where it perches most of the time. You can attach it to the cage with twist tie or cloths pin if you don't have a millet holder. I would keep millet in with it for the first couple of months until you see that it is eating the bugie food well, then it can be used as a treat. The more foods you can offer the better, at this age you might want to offer warm frozen veggies [ corn , peas.carrots,etc.] be carefull they're not to hot. Always remove them after a couple of hours so they don't go bad.Remenber to
make it healthy food you give him. No avocado,choclate, rubar , caffine,salt, carbination or too much sugar or oil.

If you want your bugie to bond with you, it's easier to have just one. You may want to take it out of its cage a few times a day,if it bites you can hold it in a towel , dishcloth, clean gloves or even socks on your hands. Take it in another room so it can't see it's cage. they like to be held close to the body. Make sure its a clam time when taking it out. No other animals triing to check out, etc. You might offer a treat like millet or slice of apple when you have it out with you. Keep the outting short in the beginning [10 to 15 mins.] as not to cause to much stress. If your not albe to spend that much time, then you might want to get it a buddy. Good luck