We bought a bird - what to do next?
The first thing you need to take care of to adapt your budgie after purchasing it is the cage. It should be spacious enough and safe. The classic version of the cage is a wooden frame and metal rods. The minimum dimensions of a parrot house are 60 cm length, 50 cm height and 35 cm width. For a more comfortable stay, these parameters should be increased by one and a half times.
It is more practical to look for a cage with a retractable bottom. Structures of this type are much easier to maintain. In addition, the bird will not experience stress at the sight of human hands with a broom flickering around the cage.
Housing for a pet must be equipped with a drinking bowl, feeder, bathing area and perches. Three crossbars are enough for one bird, one of which will act as a perch.
How many parrots do you have?
12
You also need to find a good place for the cage. Drafts and direct sunlight should be excluded. But you can’t put it in a heavily shaded corner either. The optimal place is next to the wall, not far from the window and at eye level of the owner.
The microclimate is also important for the pet’s adaptation. Comfortable temperature for budgies is +25⁰С. The cage should be kept away from noisy household appliances such as a TV, radio or washing machine. They will cause stress in the bird.
You cannot move the cage during the habituation period . The pet must get used to the environment by becoming familiar with the interior items around it. This will play an important role during the first flights in the new premises.
A newly purchased cage should be thoroughly washed and disinfected. This can be done either using regular laundry soap or using specialized pharmaceutical preparations. Local accessories also need disinfection.
Adaptation of a budgerigar lasts from one to three weeks, depending on external conditions, the behavior of the owners, and the character of the bird.
Diet selection
Before you take your purchased budgie home, ask the seller what he fed the bird. Try not to change the diet - this will put a strain on the gastrointestinal tract and will be additional stress for the pet.
The budgie eats grains - millet, canary and hemp seeds, raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds (the latter are also good as an anthelmintic). The birds are also given sprouted seeds.
