The urge

[DonnaBudgie]

Your cage is fine for two.

 

[rheashard2]

I don't remember which family elder said this. 'Pups, kits, chicks and more can be stronger then the most addictive substance known.' Except for Nameliss the current zoo are adopted, strays or in the case of 3 barely weaned kittens following dog into house. Once, I thought my dog found a fluffy toy giving it love with lots of licking. He carried it everywhere. It turned out to be a kitten! Sad to say it was over an hour for me to realize that fact.

 

[AprilRobin]

In the book "Ask the Bird Keeper" by Marc Morrone, he states that he thinks quarantines are usually pointless. According to him, any illness from the new bird could infect the air of your home as soon as the new Budgie enters, so it makes no sense to separate a new bird for quarantine. If a bird appears to be healthy - again, according to Morrone - he/she probably is, so they might as well join your other bird(s). Or, as Morrone suggests, take the new bird to a vet immediately if you really want to be assured of their health.

 

[AprilRobin]

I promise you it's not any more work to take care of two budgies than one. I swear it isn't.

I don't think even think that twelve Budgies are much more work than one was. And it's fun to observe the various friendships and relationships. Each Budgie seems to have at least two friends, so my husband and I never worry about anyone being too lonely.

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh]

I emailed the owners and hopefully they will respond. I now have a legitimate excuse to buy more toys and perches.

 

[rheashard2]

In the book "Ask the Bird Keeper" by Marc Morrone, he states that he thinks quarantines are usually pointless. According to him, any illness from the new bird could infect the air of your home as soon as the new Budgie enters, so it makes no sense to separate a new bird for quarantine. If a bird appears to be healthy - again, according to Morrone - he/she probably is, so they might as well join your other bird(s). Or, as Morrone suggests, take the new bird to a vet immediately if you really want to be assured of their health.

I think this is more accurate for airborne. But I do agree because average pet owner doesn't have facilities for effective quarantine.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I don't think even think that twelve Budgies are much more work than one was. And it's fun to observe the various friendships and relationships. Each Budgie seems to have at least two friends, so my husband and I never worry about anyone being too lonely.

THIS! This is why I have so many animals. It's like watching a soap opera episode! ONe bird loves another, but there's a threesome going on with someone else, and the dog wants ALL the birds and another animal is repulsed by the bigger beaks.....

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I don't think even think that twelve Budgies are much more work than one was. And it's fun to observe the various friendships and relationships. Each Budgie seems to have at least two friends, so my husband and I never worry about anyone being too lonely.

I don't know who does the cleaning at your home but I can't say that 12 budgies is not much more work than one!

12x the loose feathers.
12x the poops
12x the seed and other food mess
EQUALS: A lot more vacuuming!

And these also the EXPENSE of feeding them properly.

A large batch of chop once a month about $35 for the "chop mix" plus fresh broccoli, red bell peppers, corn, etc. It epyls feed one or two budgies for about 4 months.

I mix my own seed blend and buy the compents in bulk. I probably spemd $30 a month just on seeds.

Other foods/treats. My budgies eat anything I'm l eating but I give them a healthy treat like scrambled eggs, fresh greens, corn on the cob, etc. Every day. About $20 a month.

Plus toys, cage paper, perches, etc, and God forbid they need to go to the vet for illness or nail trims!

 

[AprilRobin]

I don't know who does the cleaning at your home but I can't say that 12 budgies is not much more work than one!

12x the loose feathers.
12x the poops
12x the seed and other food mess
EQUALS: A lot more vacuuming!

And these also the EXPENSE of feeding them properly.

A large batch of chop once a month about $35 for the "chop mix" plus fresh broccoli, red bell peppers, corn, etc. It epyls feed one or two budgies for about 4 months.

I mix my own seed blend and buy the compents in bulk. I probably spemd $30 a month just on seeds.

Other foods/treats. My budgies eat anything I'm l eating but I give them a healthy treat like scrambled eggs, fresh greens, corn on the cob, etc. Every day. About $20 a month.

Plus toys, cage paper, perches, etc, and God forbid they need to go to the vet for illness or nail trims!

I do most of the daily cleaning and my husband does a lot of non-daily "deep-cleaning". We have a routine and cleaning seems easier now than it did in the past . It's true that more of those tasks need to be done, but it just doesn't feel like a big deal to us. We are not wealthy. Just two people who want to enjoy a simple life with our pets.

Maybe I find it somewhat easy because we only own three species of birds. I think owning several different species involves more work. Different species-specific habits and requirements.

That being said, I will not judge anyone who owns more species than us. Nobody owes me an explanation for their life.

 

[AprilRobin]

THIS! This is why I have so many animals. It's like watching a soap opera episode! ONe bird loves another, but there's a threesome going on with someone else, and the dog wants ALL the birds and another animal is repulsed by the bigger beaks.....

My husband and I go to a weekly market booth/stand where a couple sells bird supplies and food. A lot of bird owners gather there just to chat. Many of them have more birds than we do, plus dogs and reptiles.

I think everyone knows what they can and can't handle, and I am not here to judge anyone. As I wrote in another comment, nobody owes me an explanation. We know that we are at our limit. We don't intend to replace any of our current pets as they pass on.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

All the work and expense of having a lot of budgies is well worth it. They're such amazing little creatures.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

The egg of Rocky's that I put in the incubator had a crack because it leaked. She laid another one yesterday and it was broken on top of the cage. If she lays a good one I'll try to hatch it. I hope for a female baby as a companion for Joey who can't be trusted in a mixed flock with boys.