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Birds--General/How many budgies should i have in a cage?

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Expert: - 12/28/2007


Question
Well i bought some budgies today, (5) And i THINK my cage is big enough, But i thought i should get a second opinion, The cage is 50 cm sideways, 80 cm across and aproximentally 120 from bottom too top, Should i buy some thing bigger? Or is it alright for only 5? Any help with this is much appreciated!  

Answer
Hi, Ben,

It depends on how much stuff you have inside the cage.  To judge if the cage is big enough....with the perches, food/water dishes, toys, etc., placed in the cage, each budgie MUST be able to vigorously flap its wings whenever it wants without any part of the bird's body touching anything inside the cage, including other birds.  This would be the MINIMUM sized cage for these 5 birds.  If in doubt, go bigger!  Bigger is usually better.

If these birds spend most of their day outside their cage, a smaller cage just for eating, drinking, sleeping would be OK.  However, if they spend most of their day inside their cage, they need a big enough cage.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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