Budgies for beginners

IF you’re looking for something different to the typical furry, four-legged pet and birds have always been your thing, you might like to consider budgies. The small, colourful birds are quite easy to look after and make great pets for all ages, in fact they are the most widely domesticated bird in the world.

Budgies can be found in a variety of colours and have varied personalities so look around for one that you click with. Cocks tend to be chirpier and easier to hand train and if you’re thinking of having a pair but don’t want them breeding, two cocks usually get on better than two hens.

To keep them happy and healthy they need a complete diet so shop around for ready mixed food and check ingredients carefully. You can also give seed bars and honey balls as treats but never give your budgie avocado, lettuce, potato, sweets or chocolate as they can be harmful.

If handled from a young age your new feathered friend will tame up very well but you will need to be patient and introduce stroking gradually, first with a blunt stick through the bars of the cage to avoid pecks,

When picking up a budgie (once used to being stroked), always use your palm to cover the wings and gently hold at the neck between your index and middle fingers. Move slowly and calmly and try not to stress the bird or it will bite! Never try to catch a flying budgie as this can cause unintended harm.