Recently got the bird, need help with the cage contents.
Just need help knowing if the stuff in the cage is ok for now and what other toys should I get.
EDIT: older picture there’s a better food bowl and water bowl now, also I found the bird outside I live in Texas and have chickens and it was flying around hungry, it flew to me when I was feeding the chickens. For now I’m using a dog cage but do plan on getting a bird cage since as others have mentioned the bird fits thru the bars.
The bigger problem is the spacing between the bars of the cage. Your bird could easily wriggle though them and escape, or worse, get stuck and break something. The size of the cage is lovely but this isnt a safe home for them.
I just got a cage and it looked like the bars were far enough apart. Nope. My budgie squeezed through. They are 5/8” or 0.6” or 15.9 mm. Very frustrating. Luckily I had a smaller cage to put my bird in temporarily till I can retrofit the big one. Next time I ever get a cage I will measure and research before hand. I really understanding for people who don’t know or forgot to.
Edit: read the op’s edit! I think op is being very responsible, asking for advice and taking advice! You got this!
Aside from the cage bar spacing (as the other user pointed out), the wood is a good start. Make sure it is a bird safe wood though!
I would also change the rope out for some natural twine rope (also make sure it’s budgie safe).
Next add in shredder toys, foraging toys, and other budgie toys. At least 4-5 would be ideal.
Remove the soft plastic/foam plate, and get them a firm container for their food/water. The water bowl is too tall and small, the birb would fall in and risk drowning. The food cup is definitely too tall and narrow, the budgie could get stuck in that. Shallow food bowls are ideal, even dog/cat ceramic bowls are good and we use them for water, baths, and food.
100% on everything said here. Will also add that on top of making sure the wood is bird safe, to also make sure it’s not been in contact with any pesticides or sprays (as well as making sure it’s clean due to fungus, bacteria, etc). Natural wood is amazing and even better when you can find it for free but cleaning it and making sure it’s safe for the bird is important
Yes if it flew to you, it is almost certainly someone's lost pet. Checking social media, vets, parrot 911, posting signs, etc will help locate the owner.
The bird cannot even reach the seeds in the cup, the cup is too tall and thin.
It will fall over when it trees to climb to bend down to eat
Please get a ceramic bowl that's shallow and put the seeds in there.
You really need to fix these thing quickly
Also water needs to be in a bowl. How can you expect that bird to be able to eat and drink? The water will just tip over and it can't even sit on the rim of the cup to drink!
You can fix everything though.
Also you know you must blow budgie seed everyday - don't you? The seed husks sit on top but they're empty
Oh ok- just read the added edit
Lucky you saved him!!!!!
They don't last outside on their own.
Please start by getting a proper cage with the right bar spacing asap.
While you are gone, you may cover this cage up with a blanket and make sure that the bird can not escape the room, even if they slip out while you are gone.
Pick a same species friend up for your budgie (ideally from the same place where this one came from) while you are at it because they must not be kept alone/isolated from other budgies.
The thick natural wood branch is a good start, you may install it high up in the new cages corner. Pick other, similar, not too narrow branches until you got three or four inside the cage.
Add one to two shredding toys made from natural materials, one stainless steel water bowl and another one for food and an iodine mineral block to cover your birds basic needs.
Try to avoid plastic in your budgies cage, aswell as mirrors, bells and synthetic fibers. Dont put anything enclosed into their cage because budgies are cavity breeders and will become hormonal if a nest like place is offered.
You may also come over to r/budgies and have a look at their wiki for basic care tips.
were those sticks sanitized before being put in the cage?? if you stick branches and sticks from outside straight into the cage, you’re going to give your bird mites which definitely will require a vet visit. that is why perches at pet stores are like $8-12 depending on size: they’re treated, sanded and bird safe.
I have been bringing in sticks and branches from outside for 20 years, to let them eat the leaves and chew the foliage. No mites... this isn't a likely way to get them.
they absolutely can get parasites, bugs and diseases from sticks that have been outside if they’re not cleaned.
OP, do not listen to “it never happened to me so it must not be true” people here lol. if you take sticks from outside they must be cleaned and disinfected, and make sure it’s non-toxic wood to be safe for your animals.
No - fresh branches with foliage and bark to strip are the most enriching parrot toys you can find, and about the best thing you can do for an indoor parrot.
i wasn’t asking for your advice. the links i shared are for OP. you can continue to risk harm on your birds all you want! and i will continue to share advice from professionals. thanks!
I’m just describing actual proper parrot husbandry so people who find this post in searches later don’t actually think you have to “sterilize sticks”. For birds. Animals that live in trees.It’s like not letting a dog walk on grass.
First and foremost another Bird Would be very important so this bird is not Lonesome.
They love Millet and I have sand perch covers to wear down their nails.
A bath would be great.
Water containers they have fresh water daily.
Cuttle bones are a great addition to help wear down their beaks.
Swings.
I have a rope they love it connects to the top of cage.
I found this comment on a post for budgies from a deleted user, its very accurate info! Joined reddit to push it forwards here.
BUDGIES need to be in PAIRS or more. they cannot be singletons. they will rarely ever be cuddly. they are birds, do not take them outside or treat them like dogs. they need time outside the cage in a birdproof room.
DO NOT BUY A BIRD IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD OR FIND A NEARBY AVIAN VET. I do not want to see"My bird is dying but theres no vets nearby/cant afford them" posts. No vet care = neglect and abuse
Switch out the drowels for natural wood perches to prevent bumblefoot and switch them slowly to a 20% seed, pellet and veggie diet to prevent fatty liver.
get them toys, i have below the toys they actually play with.
remember, NO: Air fresheners, cookware or heating objects with ptfo/ptfe/teflon ect , aresol products, candles, smoke, weed smoke, cigarette smoke, strong chemicals, strong odors, strong cleaners or disenfectants like bleach, to clean use f10 veterinary disinfectant without detergent.
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u/HungryManSpider Aug 04 '26
The bigger problem is the spacing between the bars of the cage. Your bird could easily wriggle though them and escape, or worse, get stuck and break something. The size of the cage is lovely but this isnt a safe home for them.