I need advice on budgies...

[BudgieBird123]

Hi! My name is Emily and I'm going to get a budgie. I'm 13 years old.
I'm having trouble finding information so if you could help me, I'd be grateful.

1) Are budgies good for me? I have a $170 spending limit for cage, toys, bird(s), etc... I have plenty of time to play and with me, it's more the merrier. I have a few friends that come over and play with my pets three or four times a month when they come over. I'm okay with noise and mess, as long as the stench isn't too bad.
2) What are some good bird websites? I've looked on line and I can't find many good ones.
3) How much money is the average budgie?
4)Would I need 2? How many could I get?
5)Is there a difference between boys' temperments and girls' temperments?
6) How big of a cage would I need?
7) Would I need shavings or litter?

Thank you for the advice if you answer, and if you can give me some good, reliable websites, I'd be really grateful!

Em

[Bea]

1) Are budgies good for me? I have a $170 spending limit for cage, toys, bird(s), etc... I have plenty of time to play and with me, it's more the merrier. I have a few friends that come over and play with my pets three or four times a month when they come over. I'm okay with noise and mess, as long as the stench isn't too bad.
And how do your parents feel about the responsibilty of a budgie? Do they understand that while the basic cost of a budgie may be 'cheap' vet bills if your budgie in the future can become VERY expensive, who would pay those? As long as the cage is kept clean you will find that budgies don't 'stink' so smell won't be a problem. Your spending limit should cover the basics but if you need replacement items or new toys, food, etc in the future would your parents pay?

2) What are some good bird websites? I've looked on line and I can't find many good ones.
www.budgietalk.com is my favourite budgie website and is a REALLY good guide to all aspects of budgie keeping in my opinion. :D

3) How much money is the average budgie?
Initial cost is about $15-$80 depending on where you get it and whether it's an adult or baby, handreared or parent reared, from a pet shop or a breeder. I would recommend a baby male from a breeder, you will find they make fabulous pets!

4)Would I need 2? How many could I get?
I would start with one young (6-10 weeks) male and tame/bond with it. Then if you still want another later on add another. Additional budgies would need to be quarantined for 30days minimum in a seperate room to existing budgie/s to prevent spread of disease. You could get as many budgies as you have time and space for.

5)Is there a difference between boys' temperments and girls' temperments?
Some people wouldn't agree with this but i find males are more playful and better talkers. They also bite less and have a wider (and more pleasant) range of chirps and tweets. They warble while females tend to have a high pitch chirp. Males generally make better talkers although females have been known to talk.

6) How big of a cage would I need?
Minimum cage size for a single budgie is 18"x18"x18" (or about that - my Blinkie's cage is 18"w by 16" d by 20" h).

7) Would I need shavings or litter?
Nope, you just use newspaper or paper towelling on the cage floor. :)

[Joey]

Well it looks like your questions are ansewred!..lol...Great JOB!-Bea!:)

[bluebird]

:D I agree Bea has covered everything, but well done to you emily asking questions before you get your budgie.

[BudgieBird123]

thanks for the advice!
my parents will allow me to have budgies as long as i take care of them and pay for cage, etc. myself
they will provide the money for vet bills.
I get 75 dollars a month, and I save naturally, so if I keep saving so that I have about 150-200 dollars, then I should be able to pay for the cage and toys myself

[ETAHoffman]

Hi, Emily. I lived in the Houston area a few years back and know there are lots of Budgie breeders there. (Or, there were when I was there.) Write ABS and ask if they can give you the names of any ABS members in the Houston area. Then, contact those people and tell them you are interested in obtaining a bird. I've found breeders, especially ABS members, will go out of their way to help young people get started. And, you'll get lots of good, free, correct information from them.

BTW, I became interested in parakeets when I was your age and I'm 67 now. So, you see, it can become a life long love.....

[Amy]

Good luck!

[Mistyoriline]

Great Job Bea you covered it all!:)