Cage Set-up for Budgies Part 1: Choosing a Cage and Perches

[@Ansonidak]

Outstanding. You have some of the best beginner videos. I have no doubt that you have improved the quality of life for many budgies!

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Ansonidak Thank you so much! I made these videos because when I started out, this was the info I didn't find and wished I had. I'm very happy others are also finding it helpful.

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Ansonidak Thank you so much! I made these videos because when I started out, this was the info I didn't find and wished I had. I'm very happy others are also finding it helpful.

[@dloveofgod8269]

Question: What size was that starter cage now your transport cage? One of the ones you showed as a flight cage showed 20× 14 x 36 or so which looks similar to yours. It may be an illusion. Have ordered a lg cage 46×35×18. Still deciding on 1 or 2 male budgies. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, it's great info.

[@allisonnguyen5942]

When I was 7 or 8 years old, I got my very first finches. And of course it was an impulse buy, and I didn't know anything so we bought a tiny little cage that came with all those starter accessories too. Eventually I got more finches (i now had 4). My grandparents decided to let them out of their cage in the outdoors. Now I do agree that was kind of dumb, but it was actually a miracle! They flew off and in the evening they returned. AND ALL THESE FINCHES WERE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO TAME! So my grandparents did this every day. And they would all return in the evening. Whoever said birds are dumb are very wrong. So anyways, they had the tiniest cage possible, but they did have the whole outdoors to them from sunrise to sunset. Eventually the beloved finches died... and I took a break from bird keeping. But just last summer, (I am now 12) I got 2 parakeets. This time, I actually did some research. I bought them a flight cage, many many perches, seeds, pellets, cuttle bone, etc. I have been giving them fruit and veggies but they don't seem to care... guess it'll be a slow process. But I love birds, and maybe in the future I will get a conure or something! I went from owning the tiniest cage available out there, to now going beyond with my parakeets and buying anything for them that I can get a chance at. Birds are so underrated... my life wouldn't be the same without them. and thank you if you read all the way to here haha

[@belle369]

You seem to know a lot about Budgies. I sat here and watched part one and two with my parents, and now we know a lot more about cages, and when we were at the store one day looking for things for our future budgies, my mom was looking for the biggest cages they had!

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Glad the videos helped. Your future budgies will be very lucky birds.

[@belle369]

Dee-Anne Gordon Thank you

[@jenniferandbrad3636]

@@belle369 how's it going? Did you get your budgie yet? I'm getting mine ina couple of months

[@belle369]

Doc the Cat I got them! We have a giant cage for them and we have 4 little babies. 3/4 are mainly tame, and the 4th is almost there. Their names are: Pip, Sunny, Jewel, and Beau. Good luck with yours!

[@haneenasad]

I was actually wondering what I would do with my old cage if I got my budgie friend a new one. Now I know. Thank you!!

[@emilee_3721]

Hi! I don’t suggest using happy huts, in the wild they live in nests so if they go in that it makes them Hormonal and mean. They even might lay eggs. Also the fabric might get in their mouth and cause issues

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Buy the largest cage you can afford and have space for. You'd be amazed how quickly it'll fill up with their stuff. Personally I like the Prevue brand cages. I love the cost point on them and the door style on their cages. I currently have 6 living happly in the Prevue Hendryx flight cage, for 2 it would give them plenty of space to fly. Or there is the slightly smaller version that is longer rather than tall. Or they have several really large floor stand versions if you really want to invest.

[@MariaSydneyacww]

I am literally so thankful, that you put up this video. So much good information.. I hope that many people learn from this video and provide their budgies a better home. Thumbs up

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kalynnkallweit7940]

Thank you so much for such a thorough video! I just had a budgie literally fly into my place of work, and life.... sadly, no luck finding the owner soo.. seems I have a new friend. She's chirping away like mad listening to your birds in the background.. hehe might need to get her a friend when she's gotten used to me I think.

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Be warned, they're like chips. Once you have one, you'll always want more! 😉🐤🐦🐥

[@tarakat2275]

Omg thank you! My budgie has had a starter cage for years now! I didn't realize this was wrong! I am getting a new cage asap! Once again, thanks!

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Glad it helped. Your budgies will be so much happier in their new larger home. It might take them a couple of days to adjust to the new cage though. So don't be surprised if they're less active to begin with.

[@frizbee9]

Totally agree with most of what you've said, great informative video :) Two things though--rope perches like that shouldn't be used since birds can chew on them and have the fibres become compacted in their gut (several vets have posted quite graphic photos/stories of this killing birds). Same with other fabric items. Secondly, sand perches are horrible for their feet. There are other ways of helping the nails--mainly natural perches, like they do in the wild. Thank you for posting this, your budgies must be very happy!

[@88marome]

Thank you! That was a very good comment

[@xebatansis]

Very good video.

[@lynnmorrison]

I bought two birds to start and bought a 15inch, but when I started adding toys and other things the Cage ended up being too tight. So I went and bought a 30 inch. Now, the birds seem to have more room and because of the cage size I bought two more birds. Love the cage and the birds seem to be able to move around.

[@dv8760]

Great video.

[@kadielarson5708]

The great wood perch at 9:30 looks like it would be good to hide treats in and turn it into a foraging perch. I also really don’t recommend the sand perches in any situation. They can cause problems with the feet and digestive tract

[@dee-annegordon5959]

The grapevine perches do make great foraging perches, though they can be a pain to clean with all their hiding spots. As for the sand perch, since making this video I've actually switched to using pedi-perches only instead (the concrete perch I show in the video). We all keep learning new and better ways to care for our flocks.

[@kadielarson5708]

Dee-Anne Gordon I can see how hard it is too clean those types of perches but I think it is definitely worth it. Glad to hear that you have switched out the sand perches. Great video, hope you and your birds are doing well

[@tvelliqu]

Good video,it has a lot of really good information I can use!🙂

[@theenchantedaxe4259]

you have a very good channel you deserve many more subs

[@dee-annegordon5959]

The Enchanted Axe Thanks

[@mazb3nizloz3r78]

Ok, I obiviously admit this is a great video. I also know this video is old, but the perches that come with the cage is also a cause of bird feet sores. The sand perch can get pieces of find sand stuck in a birds soft foot. I may be wrong though. Also just some RANDOM info, little bird tents can promote breeding, which I'll let you research the negativity on. Same with mirrors in some cases.

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Thanks for your comments. As you mentioned this is an older video. Since making it I've actually stopped using sand perches, and now recommend pedi-perches instead since they have a smooth area for the birds foot to sit on. As for the perches that come with cages, while not ideal can still be used if combined with other perches of varied size and texture. Regarding tents, you are correct. Particularly if you have a mixed flock and don't wish to breed, then they should be avoided. Personally, I've never had issues with mirrors. Though I believe some with single birds have had issues with their bird bonding with the bird in the mirror rather than their human.

[@hisnamewasrocco]

Wow this video is all effed up!!

[@dee-annegordon5959]

How so?

[@hisnamewasrocco]

+Dee-Anne Gordon When I watch it the sound is off kilter, then there's no sound, then when the sound comes back on it starts from the beginning, and it fast forwards by itself. Hope its not my computer!!

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Weird, I've watched it myself from another device then the one I used to create and post it and it played fine. Maybe it was just KZbin itself acting up at the time?

[@hisnamewasrocco]

+Dee-Anne Gordon Hopefully ur right. I hope it's not my computer acting up. I'll have to run a virus scan. BTW, I love your videos. They are very informative. I really like the cage that you have for your budgies. Is it easy to clean?

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Yes, I find it very easy to clean.

[@Bee-puppycat]

You're pretty, fluffy, and you like birds. I loaf you!

[@briangovender5759]

Wtf!?

[@JoelHernandez-rz4pe]

Thank you so much for sharing the info. I will be getting 2 male budgies soon and I have already purchased a flight cage 30 inches long by 18 inches tall and 14 inches wide. Is this appropiate?

[@carolbourlier572]

I enjoy your videos, do you have any updated videos. They are very good lots of info. Thanks

[@dinohd2304]

this is the,best video,on KZbin I,wouldn't reccomend sand or plastic perches though

[@dee-annegordon5959]

I've actually stopped using sand perches since making this video. As for plastic perches, while not the best chose, they are still fine to use so long as you combine them with a variety of other perches including some natural wood ones ideally.

[@jokeyy1116]

I am saving up for a pair of budgies and supplies and I need around four hundred dollars for the cage, perches, toys, food, and vet check-up bills. I like most of your information the only thing I don't agree with is the comments you said about the sand perches.

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Jokey Having some sort of textured perch is a good idea, since it helps keep their nails trim. I've actually switched over to using pedi-perches since I filmed this video. They have a smooth area for the bottom of their feet, so it's only the nails that touch the rough surface. The thing to keep in mind with textured perches is placement. For example, they should never be the highest perch in the cage.

[@jokeyy1116]

oh ok

[@elijahcarlson7172]

I got an old bunny cage and used it it's bar width on one part is 1 1/2 inches on purpose so if my budgie wants to fly around it can leave the cage and fly around in my room

[@SalmanKhan-ty2ti]

Great video

[@lacymcduffie1684]

Way too small environment.....Thats right. That's the issue with so many bird custodians. People really need to build flight cages, and they should be very big; like floor to almost ceiling. That's not as crazy as people imagine, it can be done and should be; and still be rather inexpensive. The small cages are hospital houses and temporary transport and must include a hideaway nest inside.

[@trevorbrown4605]

I only have one parakeet, but I am looking into buying a new cage for it. I really like the first two flight cages that you mentioned. Which one would you recommend? The cage with more height or the cage with more length?

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Personally, I've always chosen cages with more height. Others will recommend width over height. Really it comes down to personal choice and space limitations, cages with more width will take up more floor/table space. So long as you buy your budgie the larest cage you can, you won't go wrong. Even a single budgie deserves space to fly and explore in their cage.

[@trevorbrown4605]

Dee-Anne Gordon Also, what is the best way to transfer the bird to a new cage. My parakeet is not tamed, so he gets startled quite easily. Thanks!

[@dee-annegordon5959]

The least stressful method is to set up both cages facing each other, with their open doors as close together as possible (you may need to use a towel or sheet to fill the gap between the cages to avoid escapes. Remove all but one perch from the old cage and set evetything up in the new cage, then place a desired treat, like spray millet, just inside the door of the cage. Then sit back and wait. It may take some time, but eventually your budgie will find it's way into the new cage.

[@trevorbrown4605]

Dee-Anne Gordon Thanks for the help 👍🏻

[@hardensjames]

wow that cage is so small only good for a transport cage even small for finches my starter cage is 3 times size didnt get food or toys with it though nice video i got mine a big mo2 m vision cage online for 79 bucks great deal ok take care

[@kenzieatkins9459]

so what brand of cage (or specific cage,) should I get for two budgies to live in?? I need to know bc im getting them next week!! so excited!

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Kenzie Atkins Sorry I never responded. For some reason I don't always get notified about new comments. What type of cage did you end up getting?

[@nadia9938]

Beautiful 😊

[@quimanewofford8446]

i like yor videos

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Thanks. I had fun making them.

[@lilliannam9704]

I just got my birds flight cage shes so happy!!!

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Lillianna M I bet you're both happy! Congrats on the new cage.

[@kittyvaughn76]

Oh, wow, just found on Facebook...can't download messenger...not enough storage on phone...but I sent you an "add friend". My little profile pic is the same one as on Facebook.

[@ericamezcua9357]

You don’t have to get a budgie a very big cage unless it shoes it wants an upgrade....you can take your budgie out daily so it can have an exercise flying around but those “small cages” are not small as you think!

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Unless you plan to have your birds out of the cage all the time during the day and only use your cage at night, then you do need to provide them with a large enough cage for flying. Flying is a birds main source of exercise. It's something they should be doing throughout the day to stay healthy, not just for a hour or two. So even a single bird needs a cage large enough to fly in.

[@ericamezcua9357]

Dee-Anne Gordon my bird cage is a medium and my budgie looks happy In it...I take him out daily so he can fly around and get use to his surroundings but yeah!!!

[@lillybarnes5873]

My Cage is 29 inches tall, about 28 inches long, and 16 inches wide. Is that okay for one budgie? It looks large enough but I'm not 100% sure.

[@kenjiro2676]

Simply Lilly that sounds small. You could upgrade to a bigger cage, the bigger the cage the more toys and room they have.

[@jayeshkrishanen9750]

😙👌👌💋💋💋

[@maggie7281]

Nicechannel I see you don’t have a any subscribers I subscribed

[@madelinearndt3459]

I am getting a 3ft by 2ft cage for my one budgie, is that okay? Is that two big for one bird?

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Maddie Birkett That sounds perfect actually. There is no such thing as too big of a cage really (just too wide bar spacing). Once you fill a cage with perches, toys, bowls, etc you still want there to be lots of space for your bird your fly and get exercise. This cage will give you lots of options for setting it up and providing enrichment and variety.

[@madelinearndt3459]

OK great! The person I am getting it from says he used it for cockateils. Will that be okay? I think he said bar spacing was 3/4 inch

[@dee-annegordon5959]

For budgies the ideal bar spacing is a maximum of 1/2 inch. Any wider and these little escape artists may manage to squeeze through the bars, or worse get stuck between them. If your budgie is an English/Exibition budgie you might get away with the wider spacing since they tend to be larger (it would still be risky though), but with a smaller standard sized budgie I'd say 3/4 inch is too wide for comfort.

[@madelinearndt3459]

OK... Well I am going to go look at it later so I guess I will jut have to see when I get their

[@jomanaljasem1522]

it sounds good , but budgies are social birds ! you should get them a friend !

[@smokuwu7650]

I used a starter cage for a travel cage

[@kittyvaughn76]

Dee-Ann, long message here...hope it's OK..would send my email if I knew how...don't want to public for security reasons...just love your birdies and your great information,...anyway... really need advice...had 2 keets when I was 10-14 ...am 62 now. Hubby would never let me have birds...have dogs & cats...long story short...still married but I have my own little home now...have 1 little 8(now 9 sweet, girl pitty...she needed home...lost hers...pet sitting became permanent. I WANT my keets...cos it's now or never. What do you think about this cage...want 4-6 keets...no babies so gonna be all boys...things have changed so so much...fresh fruits, veggies, big flight cages...didn't know that back then...about 1962. Now I do plus you and entire internet to help with questions. Gonna try to post link for cage, hope it works...Amazon(if not here's name... *Mcage* Large Wrought Iron Flight Canary Parakeet Cockatiel Lovebird Finch Sugar Glider Cage With Removable Stand Bird Cage, 32-Inch by 19-Inch by 64-Inch) www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00C332AOG/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1KKNI1QDASESA# OK...thumbs or thumbs down? Also, wouldn't it be better to choose keets that are housed in same cage?... I have local pet smart in Columbus, MS. Anxious to hear your thoughts. Have Facebook page but haven't found you on there. THANKS, Kitty(aka Jeanette) 🐦

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Kitty Vaughn So sorry I didn't get back to you. For some reason I was never notified of your comment. I'm sure you've already gotten your birds by now, but if not... The Mcage brand of cages is great (I'm a Prevue brand lover myself, but my second chose would be them 😉). If you get all your birds at once from the same store, it'll mean you won't have to worry about isolation before adding another bird. Hope you're already enjoying your flock.

[@alirudyisawsome729]

the cage i was going to get was a traveling cage...

[@rach-lm2zz]

Is it okay for me to put a sand covering on a perch if I don’t cover the whole thing? I want to use it but I’m scared that it’ll mess up their feet

[@dee-annegordon5959]

You can use a sand cover, but it's not recommended. Other then the possible injury to feet if they spend too much time on it, there is also the issue of them picking the sand off it and eating it. This could cause crop impaction if they eat too much.

[@ljsohlstrom]

I would love to talk to you sometime. Love my parakeets.

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Glad you enjoyed the video. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[@DaysFlyBy007]

The grape wood perches are soooo hard to clean poop off of though :(

[@dee-annegordon5959]

A soak in vinegar water and the use of a tooth brush usually does the trick for me.

[@zahrasultanzadeh9124]

I can't believe you recommend sand perches.

[@rachelc9971]

what is wrong with sand perches? i might be getting budgies and i am curious

[@lanalee-3792]

@@rachelc9971 sand perches are a little bit like standing on lego all day, the best perch for a budgie is a natural non-poisoness branch perches and rope perches.

[@abraham-fq7hx]

I have that cage

[@kaylabrown9777]

Cage link

[@yaryar5896]

i know i am not an expert but people said that if you have sand perches i don't how i say it but your budgie could have injuries because when your budgie has spent a lot of times on it it could make scratches on the bottom of their feets and bits of sand could be in the scratch i just want to help because for me its sad and they can't walk to much please read this comment (Aug.3 2017) 6:10 PM

[@dee-annegordon5959]

Yarily_Yorba It's true, you do need to be careful when using sand perches. For example, a sand perch should never be the highest perch, or even near the top, of your cage since those are the perches most budgies will sleep on. Ideally, sand perches should be placed at mid level or lower, and in a spot that your bird doesn't have to use the perch if they don't want to.

[@sylphdreamer6724]

Clearly you care about budgies and have tried to provide good information. Please review this video and edit it to exclude suggestions you've made that could be dangerous. You should exclude all cement and sand perches, vets will confirm they can hurt your parakeet's feet. The fabric huts, encourage nesting behavior and are often made of microfiber materials that a budgie gets caught in their crop and can't expell. For the same reason rope perches should be watched. If a viewer has a budgie that chews on the rope it can cause crop impaction which could kill the budgie. In addition budgies need perches that are between 1/4 and 1/2" in diameter. There can be a few points where they are wider but only if you have many other perches. The plastic perches and wooden dowels cause pressure points and can lead to bumblefoot. Please, research and update your video. You have had over 46,000 views and you are disseminating inaccurate advice that could harm or possibly kill a budgie. That said, your easy style of talking and your compassion is evident. Please just redo this video.

[@cheychey4216]

you should NOT have a sand perch . that would be like u walking on sand paper every day. the sand paper can cause bumble foot witch is extremely painful for the bird

[@cheychey4216]

other than that good vid

[@dee-annegordon5959]

I don't actually use the sand perch any more. I switched to using Pedi-perches instead (smooth top, rough sides and bottom). That being said, having a rougher, textured perch can also be beneficial for their nails and beaks. The trick is to have a variety of textures and sizes so the same spots on their feet aren't always having pressure placed on them. You also want to ensure that the rougher textured perches aren't located where they like to sleep at night.

[@jacobdover1254]

the quality is like 2000 its 2016 fail

[@dee-annegordon5959]

I'm sorry you found the video quality so poor. The point of the video was to provide helpful information though, not to produce a professional quality film.

[@samanthakey913]

Dee-Anne Gordon I thought it was great im getting some budgies soon so this was a great help

[@kenjiro2676]

If this video is 2000 quality it is the best then because the rest is utter garbage.