Cage
The cage you choose should be as large as you can afford to get for your bird. He will spend a great deal of time here and you should consider whether you would prefer to live in an area the size of a bathrrom or of a castle. This is the option you are choosing for your bird when you purchase his cage. The best cage for him is long, rather than high, so the bird can at least flit back and forth for exercise. Budgie cages should have horizontal bars like a ladder because they like to climb and are exremely acrobatic.
When you decide where to place his cage, be sure there are no draughts, such as beside doorways or hall doors where an open door could create cold breezes. Kitchens are also not the best choice because of the fluctuating temperatures from the oven being turned on and off. If the cage is placed where the sun will shine on it, be sure there is a section that is always shaded or the bird could suffer from heat stroke, and again, if this is near a window, there should be no strong draughts. The best place for your budgie is the room where you and your family spend the most time. He wants to be part of your flock, and he will learn more quickly when he is with you as much as possible.
The bird on the highest perch is always the dominant member of the flock, so if your bird's cage places him above your eye level he will think he is the boss. This can sometimes lead to a bird nipping as it gets older and gains confidence. One way to remain dominant is to always say "Step up" when you take the bird on your finger, and "Step down" gives him permission to step off your finger onto something else. If you do this every time, it will become automatic for you and remind him that you are in charge. This should also be done by everyone handling the bird so that he understands that he is at the bottom of the ladder when it comes to dominance.
(see the section on Training for more tips on handling your budgie so that he isn't handling you)
Covering the cage is a matter of personal preference. While it may quiet a noisy bird, a bird who has nmever been covered will be less susceptible to a cool night, and will not be disturbed by a change in his routine if you are unable to cover him every night.
The addition of a small nightlight that comes on automatically when it's dark is a bonus for a bird who is easily frightened by any strange noises or movements. A bird that is startled off of its perch in the dark might thrash around in its cage if it can't see its way back up to the perch and could incur serious injuries before its owner is able to reach it.
(for more suggestions, check our Toys and our Natural Perches sections) |
