Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 12/31/2007

Question
QUESTION: Chrys i have been playing with my budgies recently and when i put one back onto their favorite swing they fight, as in pecking at each other because one tries to move around in the swing (switch sides) and that causes them too fight. Is this normal, or should i stop playing with them if their going to fight like that? Also, is a bird bath necessary for my budgies or is it just a pampered thing?

ANSWER: Hi, Jesse,

If they fight when you try to put 2 birds onto the same swing, don't try to put 2 birds onto the same swing!  I don't really think the problem is your playing with them that is causing them to fight.  When there is more than 1 bird in a cage, they develop a hierarchy between them.  One becomes more dominant than the other.  Also, when one bird occupies a toy, don't instigate a fight by placing another bird on the same swing or toy.  It's normal for birds to bicker at times over things, such as a toy, food, perch, etc.  Sometimes they may also bicker over your attention.  This does not mean you should stop playing with them.  Just make sure you provide the same amount of attention to each bird.

All birds need to bathe.  Bathing helps them to keep their feathers healthy and in order.  Feathers are a bird's most important asset and they spend much time each day caring for them.  A bath helps them do this.  You can provide a bird bath if your birds will use one or you can spray mist them regularly.  A bird bath can simply be a dish of water placed in the cage or on a play stand.  If your budgies don't bathe on their own, you should spray mist them using a misting bottle filled with hot or warm water, not cold.  Don't scare them with a misting bottle...they will be frightened of it at first.  First time misting your birds, be gentle, as you don't want them to become scared of being misted.

Chrys

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, the swing is big enough for the both of them, its room for them and a little more i dont think its a problem.

For the bath where should i place it in the cage thats more ideal for them? at the bottem or make a stand to be a bit elevated?

A question thats a bit off topic but i just got my budgies to eat some salad is that a reasonable veggie for them?

ANSWER: Hi again, Jesse,

It can be a problem in that most birds are territorial.  When one bird is sitting on the swing, don't put another bird on it.  If you observe your birds when you aren't playing with them I think you'll find that when a bird is sitting on the swing, it will deny other birds access to the swing.  

A bird bath should be positioned so the birds can access it from one of their perches.  If you put it toward the cage bottom, they may not use it at all.  Try different locations to see which your bird's prefer.

Salad - depends on what is in the salad.  Iceberg and romaine lettuce have no nutritional value.  Feed greens such as kale, collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, etc.  Veggies are things like green beans, corn, carrots, sugar snap peas, green peas, etc.

Chrys   



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again Chrys, i just put in a bowl of Green peas in their cage close to a Perch and i hung a carrot beside another perch. Is carrots good for them as well?

Also, they move around together, their in love it would seem. haha :) they sit on thw swing together beside each other always.

Answer
Hi again, Jesse,

Yes, carrots are excellent for them.  However, you can't just "hang" a carrot.  They most likely won't touch it.  Food for birds need to be a size smaller than their beaks.  In other words, you need to shred, chop, dice, etc., the carrot in a size that will fit in their beaks and/or they can easily handle with their beaks, and I would put the cut up carrot in the dish with the green peas.  Be aware that birds will not readily eat foods they don't recognize as food.  Therefore, you have to keep offering the new foods every day until they try them.  

When your birds are pair-bonded, you will see the male feeding his female beak-to-beak.

Chrys