Q&A for How to Care for Your Baby Budgie

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Question

When can I hold a baby budgie?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Regular handling and holding should take place from 2 weeks of age onward. If you are gentle and the parent birds are used to your presence, it's fine to gently check the chicks soon after hatching. Much of the specific timing depends on how well the parent birds are comfortable around you.

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Question

Do budgies make a good pet?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Budgies make great and cheerful companions. As a flock bird, they love company and will chat away to their owner. They are also relatively low maintenance and low cost to maintain.

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Question

How can I tell if my budgie is healthy or unhealthy?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

A healthy bird should be bright and alert, taking an interest in what's going on around it. Its face should be clean with no discharges from the eyes or cere. The feathers should be smooth and sleek, with a satin sheen rather than fluffed up. There should be no coughing or sneezing, and the poop should be white and black, rather than green or yellow. An unhealthy bird is often hunched or fluffed up, withdrawn, and may breathe more quickly than usual.

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Question

How long does a budgie live in a cage?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The average lifespan for a budgie in captivity is 5-10 years. A bird with a good diet, given plenty of attention and toys, and kept at a comfortable temperature, should live to the upper end of this scale.

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Question

What can you feed a budgie?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

A pelleted bird food is preferable to a bird seed mix, as budgies tend to pick out the tasty seeds and leave the healthy ones. Around 80-85% of the diet should be pellets, with the rest being small pieces of fruit or vegetable.

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