Budgies are playful and active birds. Despite their small size, they need plenty of space to fly, hop, and play. Since housing is vital to raising healthy budgies, care should be taken when constructing or purchasing a budgie cage. So, How many budgies should you keep in a cage?
You can keep up to six budgies in a single cage, provided there is adequate space to accommodate all your budgies and the required accessories for them to live comfortably. The size of the cage should depend on the number of budgies you intend to keep. Budgies are social pets that enjoy company, so keeping more than one budgie is a good idea.
Overcrowding should be avoided at all costs for your budgies to live happily. This will reduce stress levels, thus enabling your budgies to stay healthy. Proper sanitation is to be carried out to protect your budgies from infections and parasite infestations.
The number of budgies you can keep in a cage will be determined by:
1. The Size of the Cage
Budgies love to play; hence, they need spacious cages to be happy. Each budgie requires 4000 cubic inches of space to fly and play freely.
By working out the cubic capacity of your bird cage, that is, its height, length, and width, you can determine the number of budgies to keep in that cage.
2. Availability of Resources
If a budgie is not continuously occupied, it will become lonely and sometimes depressed, which can lead to engagement in destructive behaviors like feather plucking and biting.
Thus, plenty of perches, swings, ladders, and toys should be provided for your budgies to explore. This will help prevent the budgies from getting bored, and they will not have to fight for the available resources.
3. The Cage Dimensions
The dimensions used when making a cage should follow the number of birds you keep. The number is supposed to fit well in the cage.
The standard size of cage for a single budgie that is tame and out of the cage most frequently is approximately 12×18×18 inches. The size should be more than doubled if you are considering having two budgies, as you will have to double the accessories to be used by your budgies.
However, for budgies that spend most of their time in the cage, you should consider having a much bigger cage.
4. The Personality of Your Budgies
Budgies have different personalities and behaviors. Aggressive and territorial budgies require more space than dormant and social budgies.
By understanding your budgies, you can keep them happy and reduce the chances of having territorial fights from time to time.
5. The Gender of Your Budgies
The gender of your budgies ought to be taken into consideration when determining the number of budgies to keep in a given cage.
Two or more male budgies can happily coexist without having issues, as they are friendly and social birds.
If you want to keep your budgies for breeding, always ensure that the number of males is proportional to the number of females in the flock.
For a flock of female budgies, provide enough resources and ensure the cage is large enough. This will ensure that your budgies are comfortable, thus curbing frequent fights.
Can You Have 3 Budgies in One Cage?
Yes, you can have three budgies in one cage.
To avoid frequent fights, go for all males, as they are friendly, can quickly bond, and love socializing with other birds.
So, how big should a cage be for three budgies?
To comfortably house the three budgies and the resources they require, you should have a cage size of approximately 32×18×20 inches.
What Size Cage Do I Need for 4 Budgies?
Your budgies’ enclosure should be as wide as possible so that your birds can get enough space to exercise their wings and other body parts as they fly around.
Your cage should be tall and wide. Thus, the cage size for four budgies is supposed to be approximately 28×28×28 inches.
Can You Have 5 Budgies in One Cage?
Yes, you can have five budgies in one cage.
To house the five birds, you should have a large aviary so that your feathered friends have enough space to fly and establish their territory.
6 Budgies in One Cage
Having six budgies in a standard flight cage can be overcrowded and uncomfortable. For such a large number, consider having an aviary.
With an aviary, your birds will live and fly without having to go out. This will reduce the fear of your budgies escaping if you take them out to play.
Do Budgies Prefer Wider or Taller Cages?
Budgies prefer horizontal space to vertical space. They exercise most by flying around. Thus, a tall, narrow cage is not suitable for the budgies.
So, should the budgie cage be longer or taller?
A budgie cage should be longer and broader for your budgies to have enough space for free flight.
Should I Cover My Budgies Cage Completely?
Yes, you should always cover your budgies’ cage completely. By covering the cage, you ensure that your budgies are:
1. Protected from the cold at night and during the colder seasons.
2. Provided with enough privacy. Thus, your birds will not be startled by people passing or the presence of other pets nearby.
3. Quiet in the morning, when they could become active and vocal.
How Many Hours Should a Budgie Be Out of Its Cage?
A budgie should be out of its cage for at least two hours. The bird will have enough time to explore, stretch, and play. Out-of-cage time should be interactive between you and your budgie and be used for training.
Out-of-cage time is essential for your budgie. When outside, the budgie can:
1. Exercise well and stretch its wings, as there is enough space to fly. This helps the bird stay in good shape and prevents obesity.
2. Get enrichment from the new sights, sounds, and fresh air.
3. Exposure to sunlight is vital for producing vitamin D and calcium.
It would be best to be cautious not to let your budgie stay out for long as it will likely engage in undesirable behaviors such as nipping at you for fun, chewing the curtains, and attacking other budgies.
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