Birds
Keeping Budgies Happy: Housing, Diet and Companionship
The cage size that actually matters, why seed-only diets fall short, and how much attention a budgie really needs.
Buy the widest cage you can
Budgies fly horizontally, so width matters more than height. A single budgie needs a cage at least 60 cm wide; a pair needs more. Bar spacing should be around 1.2 cm, and the cage should sit in a busy part of the home, away from draughts, kitchens and direct sun.
Seed alone is not a diet
An all-seed diet is fatty and short on vitamins, and is linked to liver disease and shortened lives.
- Base the diet on a quality formulated pellet
- Offer fresh vegetables daily: leafy greens, carrot, broccoli
- Use seed as a treat and training reward
- Provide a cuttlebone or mineral block for calcium
A bored budgie is an unhappy budgie
Budgies are flock animals. A single bird needs several hours of interaction daily or a budgie companion. Provide shredding toys, swings and foraging opportunities, and let the bird out to fly in a safe room daily where possible.
Know the signs of illness
Birds hide illness well. A fluffed-up, quiet budgie sitting low on the perch, tail bobbing with each breath, or changes in droppings all warrant a prompt vet visit with an avian vet.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I get one budgie or two?
- Two is kinder if you are out at work all day, as budgies are flock birds. A single budgie can thrive, but only with several hours of your company every day.
- Do budgies need a vet?
- Yes. An annual check with an avian vet catches problems early, and birds hide illness until they are very sick, so any change in behaviour or droppings deserves prompt attention.
References
- RSPCA: Budgerigar care — https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/birds