Alot of BUdgie Questions...

[may_rainbow]

I'm getting a budgie! But I still have alot of questions. I really didn't want to make all different threads with all these questions, so I posted them all here. If you know the answers to any of these questions, please tell. Thanks!

1. How often are you supposed to clip your bird's nails???
2. What kind of sites are good for ordering bird supplies?
3. How often do I visit the vet?
4. How often does my bird need it's wings clipped?
5. What temp. are they comfortable with?
6. Are there any good pet stores in Hong Kong?
I have visited so many, and the cleanest one I've visited so far was still a bit dirty, and was over crowded with budgies in a cage. Pics on this thread:
http://www.birdboard.com/forum/thread12522.html.
7. How often do you give a budgie a bath.
8. Are there sites where it tells you how to make budgie toys?

PLease help! Thanks.

[Rue]

1. How often are you supposed to clip your bird's nails???

You don't necessarily have to clip them. I've never had to clip my cockatiels, and one is over 20 years old. If you give them branches to climb on, and put in one perch, such a SandyPerch (maybe by their food or water bowl), you may not have to.

However, should the nails grow so long, that they lift up the tip of the toe of a bird standing on a flat surface...then they need to be trimmed back. Birds need long nails to grip branches. Do not clip too short.

2. What kind of sites are good for ordering bird supplies?

There are lots! I'll let the US people answer that. But if you're in Hong Kong, is ordering from the US an option?

3. How often do I visit the vet?

Lots of controversy there. Likely a good idea to take it in immediately to make sure it's healthy. Then it's recommended to take it in once a year for a 'well-bird' check.

4. How often does my bird need it's wings clipped?

Again, up to you if you want the bird flighted or not. Lots of controversy!!! If flighted birds escape, they are rarely found again, but in generally it's healthier for a bird to be able to fly. If you do clip, twice a year should do it.

5. What temp. are they comfortable with?

If you're comfy, they're comfy.

6. Are there any good pet stores in Hong Kong?

No idea! But I'm sure there must be. Check with your vet, they may be able to recommend a store, or even a good breeder!

I have visited so many, and the cleanest one I've visited so far was still a bit dirty, and was over crowded with budgies in a cage. Pics on this thread:
http://www.birdboard.com/forum/thread12522.html.

7. How often do you give a budgie a bath.

Should let them bathe (or gently spray them) 2-3 times a week. But if it's hot and they like, they can have daily baths. Try to bathe earlier in the day so they don't go to bed wet and risk getting chilled.

8. Are there sites where it tells you how to make budgie toys?

Probably. I'd order wood toy parts from a catalogue to make sure they're safe for birds, until you know more what you're doing (not all colourings and dyes would be safe). For budgies, probably most regular plastic beads would be fine, provided they're not too small. Watch metals, some are toxic. Stainless steel is best. If you use rope, there are bird safe ropes you can order, or untreated sisal is good. Make sure the rope bits aren't so long or tangled that birds can get caught.

Some other advice:

Get the largest cage you can. Most 'typical' budgie cages are too small. You can go as big as you want, just watch the cage bar spacing. For budgies the bars need to be fairly close together. A large finch cage (rectangular) might even be a better bet.

Also get a rope perch...a find birds love them, and they're good for their feet.

Have more than one size of perch too. Some a bit bigger and some a bit smaller to exercise their feet. The perches that come with the cages aren't very good. We usually keep one in by the front door, to make it easier to take birds in and out of the cage, but the rest we replace with branches and rope perches.

[Monica]

I can't be of much help, especially since I can't really read chinese or any other languages in China.... though I did a 'google' search for you that might be easier for you to check out...

http://www.google.com.hk/search?hl=e...cr%3DcountryHK
http://www.google.com.hk/search?hl=e...cr%3DcountryHK

There is only a slight difference in the search words, though they might pinpoint you into some type of direction! I honestly do not know however if there is an avian vet in Hong Kong and saying that you are from that area, I can understand why bird care isn't as greatly valued as in other parts of the world (I've previously met other people from Asia and they didn't normally care greatly for their birds....)

I wish you luck in finding the perfect baby, and hopefully an avian vet who knows what they are talking about! Good luck, and sorry that we can't quite help you further!