Mary Allen
The budgie cage is often much too small for the lively birds. But species-appropriate keeping looks different. Find out here what an optimally furnished cage should look like and what you should consider when buying, equipping, and choosing the right toy.
The Budgie Cage: It Doesn’t Get Too Big
The simpler the structure of the cage, the better. Wellis feel most comfortable in a rectangular cage that should be wider than it is high. This enables your budgies to take short flights. A budgie cage should be 150 cm long, 60 cm wide, and 100 cm high. If you are keeping a couple, the cage must be correspondingly larger. You should definitely adhere to these dimensions or buy an even larger cage. You should only use smaller bird cages for the short transport of your animals.
The height of the budgie home is only of secondary importance. Because the birds fly horizontally rather than vertically. This is why “helicopter cages”, which are similar to a tower, are completely unsuitable: the birds cannot fly properly here and so dirty the lower perches because they are mostly on the upper floors. Round cages are also unsuitable – your birds have no place of refuge here. You should also avoid jewelry cages such as palaces, castles, or modern forms, they do not correspond to a species-appropriate budgie attitude and are therefore unsuitable.
There are also a few things to consider when it comes to the dimensions of the grilles. The bars must not be too far apart, otherwise, your Welli could get his head between the bars and no longer be able to free itself. The right color of the bars is also crucial. These should be kept in dark tones – this way you avoid that your corrugations are unnecessarily blinded. Make sure the bars are rust-free. In addition, it must not contain any toxic substances and no paint must peel off.
The Cage Accessories
As soon as you have found a suitable budgie cage, it is time to set it up. This involves a lot more than just hanging a few accessories in the cage and offering food. Your wellies love variety and are happy to have something to do and toys.
Perches
A budgie cage usually already has perches, but these are usually made of plastic or hard-turned wood: Both types are unsuitable. It is best to take a walk and look for suitable branches yourself. These are wonderfully suitable for use as perches. Make sure that you collect sticks of different thicknesses, so you avoid that your budgie suffering so-called “pressure sores”. Branches of natural trees have the advantage that they contain minerals that benefit the bird and also challenge its leg muscles. Branches of alder, linden, poplar, willow, cherry, apple or hazel are best. When you have found suitable branches, you should clean them thoroughly and let them dry for a few days. Then you can attach them to the cage of your Wellis.
Food and Water Bowls
Make sure that your Wellis always have enough food and water in the bird home. Stainless steel bowls are best for this. You should absolutely avoid hanging bowls that are attached to the birds shelter from the outside, as they can seriously injure your Welli. The water should always be fresh and changed daily. Try to give your budgies a variety of food. Ideally, you add a third bowl to the menu and spoil your birds with fresh fruit and delicious rusks.
The Bathing Paradise
Parakeets are great water enthusiasts. You give them great pleasure when you occasionally attach a bathing house to the cage gate to splash around and play with – your Welli will enjoy it! Others, on the other hand, like to be showered with the flower sprayer more. If you neither have a bathing house nor a flower sprayer on hand, you can still create a beautiful bathing paradise for your Wellis: just use a flat bowl. You can then simply place them on the bottom of the cage. Regardless of which variant you choose, make sure that the water does not contain too much chlorine.
Beak Whetstones/Sepia Bowl
A suitable whetstone or a sepia bowl should not be missing in any bird sanctuary. The substances contained in the whetstone are important for the bone system and the feathers of your Wellis. It also ensures that your birds sharpen their beaks on a regular basis. When attaching it, make sure that your animals can easily reach the whetstone. Ideally, you attach it next to a perch and replace it regularly.
Bird Sand
Only use bird sand for your pet’s home. Potting soil or even building sand are not alternatives and can cause serious damage to your budgies. Bird sand specially designed for your birds is a better choice. Bird sand is a real all-around talent: it disinfects bird droppings, provides valuable minerals and the stones it contains are good for the digestion of your corals.
It’s All in the Mix
So you see, in order to ensure a happy and contented life for your budgies, certain basic equipment must be available in the budgie cage. In addition, budgies enjoy the numerous toys in the bird home. Give your animals variety, because, in the long run, even the most beautiful toys will eventually become too boring. So vary between swings, climbing opportunities, ladders, and the like and get yourself a small supply of different toys – this way you can always offer your Wellis new incentives and boredom can never arise.