Budgerigars are successfully kept at home - beautiful birds with a peaceful and curious character. They get along well with people and do not feel much discomfort in captivity, but for this it is necessary to create appropriate conditions for their life.
When purchasing a parrot for your home, you should immediately buy a cage for it, where it will spend a significant part of its time. The choice of this accessory should be taken with full responsibility, since the health and lifespan of your feathered friend depend on the conditions of detention.
In the article we will tell you what a cage for a budgie should be like, the optimal design, dimensions, material, what a budgie needs in a cage, mandatory items and additional accessories for organizing the space, where it is best to place the cage with a parrot, whether it needs to be covered with a cloth at night .
The right cage for a budgie - what to look for
- Size. Depends on how much time the pet will spend locked up. Sleep, food or most of the day? The more time he is locked up, the larger the size of housing he needs.
- Minimum. The minimum size of a cage for a budgie is: length not less than 40 cm, width not less than 25 cm, and height more than 45 cm. Remember that this is only a minimum, similar to the sanitary norm of 6 meters of living space per person. If possible, try to choose more spacious accommodation.
- Form. Choose models of a simple rectangular shape with a flat or semicircular roof; they are comfortable for the bird and easy for the owner to clean.
- Distance between rods. The optimal value is 1-1.5 cm.
- Arrangement of rods. Horizontal rods are more comfortable for the parrot.
- Access to feeders. It is better if there is external access, then you will not disturb the bird when changing food.
Perches
A cage is a home for a feathered pet; without various amenities, living in it will be very uncomfortable. It is necessary to arrange the most necessary things, but not to overdo it, otherwise the variety will only get in the way. It is impossible to do without perches, which wavy animals constantly use not only for entertainment, but also to maintain the health of their paws. And problems with the latter can lead to serious illnesses. Installing perches is a good prevention of possible problems.
Type
In pet stores you can immediately purchase a cage with perches inside. They are made of wood, plastic or composite materials. Not only the cost, but also the quality of the perches depends on the material of manufacture.
Plastic is the worst option. When using such perches, the pet cannot relax its paws because the material is too smooth. You need to improve them yourself, in several ways. One of them is to go through sandpaper to create artificial unevenness. But in the future they will still have to be changed. One of the problems with plastic is toxicity. Wavys are active birds, so the parrot will definitely taste its perch, and this can lead to dire consequences.
Plastic.
Devevo.
Height
The second most important condition for using perches is the height and location of their installation. The crossbars should not interfere with the flight of the wavy, that is, they should be placed along the edges of the cage, and not in the center. They must be secured away from the feeder and water bowl, as otherwise there is a risk that waste products will get into your pet’s food and water.
Problems
One of the biggest problems when buying a perch is choosing the material to make it. It was said above about plastic, and the crossbars of coniferous trees, bird cherry, poplar, aspen, lilac or oak will also be dangerous for the wavy. Each of these trees will retain harmful substances or contain resins and tannins.
It is better to choose perches made from plum, pear, hawthorn, maple, ash, birch, linden, and apple trees.
How to set up a cage for a budgie
Perches
At least 2-3 pieces. The main ones are wooden with bark, the additional ones are mineral and rope.
Drinking bowl and feeders
There should be several feeders, at least 2 pieces: for dry grain food and for wet food, for example, porridge, sprouts or vegetables.
Toys
A must-have element so that your feathered pet doesn’t get bored. 3-4 toys are enough if you replace them periodically. One of the fun items should be a forage toy that stimulates food search and mental activity.
Bathing suit
It is placed in the enclosure only for bathing time, and is removed at other times. The bird should not be left alone unattended during water procedures.
Fruit holders
An accessory that can attract a parrot to healthy foods. A playful presentation will help the bird take a different look at its unloved vegetable.
Sepia, mineral stones
A source of calcium, an essential attribute in the lattice apartment.
Lighting
If the bird receives little sunbathing in the summer, then place a special ultraviolet lamp above the cage. There are 2 brands in Russia that produce lamps directly for birds: Arcadia and Bird Systems.
Cape
Allows you to regulate the bird's daily routine. The bird's daylight hours should be 10-14 hours, depending on the time of year; the rest of the time the feathered pet should sleep. If this cycle is disrupted, behavioral and health problems may arise.
Is it possible to make a house with your own hands?
Making a cage yourself is a labor-intensive task that requires carpentry skills. Designs of this type are not suitable for beginners as a test of the pen. In this case, it is much more practical to look at some budget solution and modify it at your own discretion.
The simplest homemade option is a combined design: wooden frame and metal mesh . The drawing can be copied from factory solutions, which can be studied either in the nearest pet store or in an online store. The main thing is that after assembly there are no sharp or protruding elements left (screws, rods, etc.).
It is also useful to read: Diet of a budgerigar
Rules for safe cage location
- Keep in mind that the parrot is comfortable being at eye level with the owner. Therefore, decide in advance where the lattice apartment will be placed: on a cabinet/table or on the included stand on wheels.
- The best place for the cage is in the room where the owner spends most of his time.
- You should not place the cage next to electrical appliances, in a draft or direct sun, from which the parrot will not be able to go into the shade.
- Remember that the kitchen is a high-risk place. Boiling water, open fire, or simply hot objects make it unreasonably dangerous for a parrot to be in the kitchen.
Feeder
Experienced owners advise purchasing several feeders at once, each of which will be used for a separate type of feed. Grains or dry food are usually poured into one, and mineral supplements into the other. You can separately purchase a feeder for a variety of treats.
Usually, feeders are purchased that are suspended at a height from rods. The food is poured in from the outside, allowing you to simplify the feeding procedure - the bowl does not need to be constantly taken out and then returned. It is recommended to opt for a large feeder, then the wavy will be able to independently choose the most suitable pieces.
The most suitable material of manufacture is ceramics, but you can opt for plastic.
Recommended Models
Our online pet store offers the largest range of cages for parrots with delivery throughout Russia. Below is a list of popular apartments.
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Ferplast Piano 4
Rating
4.9 out of 5 RUB 5,999.00
Dimensions: 59x33x55 cm
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Savic Primo 50
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4.5 out of 5 RUB 5,981.00
Dimensions: 65x38x56.5cm
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Ferplast Piano 3
Rating
4.78 out of 5 RUB 5,062.00
Dimensions: 50x30x52.5 cm
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Savic Primo 60 Open Empire
Rating
5 out of 5 RUB 12,239.00
Dimensions: 80x50x95cm
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Inter-Zoo Nina
Rating
4.6 out of 5 RUB 6,313.00 – RUB 6,484.00
Dimensions: 54x34x74 cm
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Ferplast Palladio 4
Rating
4.84 out of 5 6 299.00₽
Dimensions: 59x33x69 cm
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Triol 7005
Rating
4 out of 5 RUB 2,429.00
Dimensions: 43×30.5×58 cm
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Inter-Zoo Eliza
Rating
4.22 out of 5 RUB 6,653.00 – RUB 6,828.00
Dimensions: 54x34x75 cm
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IMAC Tasha with partition
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4.5 out of 5 RUB 10,681.00
Cage dimensions: 80.5x49x65 cm
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IMAC Irene 4
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4.31 out of 5 RUB 7,099.00
Dimensions: 59x38x56 cm
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IMAC Camilla
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5 out of 5 RUB 6,887.00 – RUB 7,753.00
Dimensions: 50x30x57/129 cm
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Inter-Zoo Elena
7 615,00₽
Dimensions: 54x39x71 cm
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Drinking bowl
It is also better to purchase a drinking bowl so that it can be hung on rods. This makes it easier to change the fluid and also avoid the appearance of dampness inside. A closed drinking bowl has its advantage - the water stays fresh longer. If you have the finances, you can spend money on buying an automatic drinker. Its advantage is its autonomy, but its main disadvantage is not the longest service life. For this reason, such a purchase should only be purchased if the owner leaves home for a long time, leaving the pet alone.
Automatic drinker.
Closed drinking bowl.
Popular questions and answers to them
- Cage for two budgies - what size? Minimum dimensions: 60 cm in height, from 60 cm in length and at least 35 cm in width.
- What to put in the bottom of a budgie's cage? You can use: sea sand fillers, wood or corn pellets, white paper. Not allowed: newspapers, magazines, silica gel cat litters.
- Is it worth hanging up a nesting house? No, it's not worth it if you don't intend to breed.
- When can a budgie be released from its cage? If the bird was purchased at a regular pet store, then you need to give it a month to get used to it; if the feathered pet was purchased from a breeder, he is a fosterling, and is not afraid of hands, then you can release him almost immediately.
- When should you start teaching conversation? Better from the first days of arrival in the house. Remember that classes should have an exclusively positive attitude. You cannot exercise in a bad mood or scold the bird.
- Is it possible to have a mirror in a budgie's cage? It is possible if, in addition to the mirror, the bird has many other toys and accessories, and the owner himself engages in playing with the pet. If the bird has only one mirror, then naturally this will lead to a problem - the bird, out of boredom, will begin to communicate with its reflection, perceiving it as a partner.
- Is it possible to allow flights around the apartment? Yes, flying is vital for your health. However, they must be controlled, i.e. the owner must make sure that there are no dangers in the form of an open window or a randomly slamming door.
- Is it acceptable to keep with other animals? No, you cannot leave your winged friend with another pet unattended, even if they get along well with each other, there is always a tragic accident.
- Is it possible to keep a cockatiel and a wavy in the same cage? No you can not. Despite the fact that they are both peace-loving creatures, quarrels can still arise, which means injuries. It is impossible to choose one optimal diet for different types of birds, and feeders are common.
Acceptable Materials
Birds love to chew on perches, toys and twigs. To prevent toxic substances from entering the body, the parrot's cage must be made of safe materials.
Important: High quality stainless steel is considered the best material. It is not subject to oxidation and does not rust.
Cheap house models made from materials of dubious quality threaten the health of pets. Galvanized rods can cause poisoning to a parrot. No less dangerous is copper, which quickly oxidizes. Its oxides act as a strong poison on birds.
Wooden parrot cages are only suitable for temporary housing. Budgerigars gnaw through them with ease. Wood absorbs moisture, becoming a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria.
A good option is a plastic structure. This material is non-toxic, but is susceptible to high temperatures. Therefore, houses made from it cannot be washed with hot water.
Video reviews
Videos with detailed visual information about some interesting models.
Ferplast Piano 4
Italian home with unique rotating feeders.
Inter-Zoo Nina
Polish model with two front doors.
Savic Primo 40
Belgian apartment of rectangular shape.
IMAC Irene 4
Italian house with a high tray and four feeders.
