Budgies are naturally hardy, friendly, and social birds that love to live in flocks. They enjoy being in pairs and can take good care of each other through preening and companionship. Budgies enjoy interacting and talking with their owners and require more investment in care, attention, and time to be happy and comfortable.
The following are some of the reasons why budgies are cheap:
1. They Have Small Body Sizes
Budgies are small in size, which makes it easy to tame them as they need fewer resources for their well-being.
The increase in demand for small to medium size parrots by pet owners has led to overbreeding of these birds, thus narrowing the gap between demand and their availability.
2. Popularity
As they are not rare or well known, budgies can be bred anywhere in the world and are readily available in many localities.
3. Easily Bred in Captivity
Budgies can be easily bred since:
- They don’t cost a lot to breed or look after before they are adopted.
- Other bird species lay only a few viable eggs per year and require a large space to raise their young ones. This is not the case with budgies.
- They are frequent breeders and easily find mates when housed together.
4. Quick Maturity
Budgies have short incubation periods of 18-23 days. Hence, they can have many broods in a year.
Once hatched, baby budgies take approximately six weeks to be ready for sale. This makes it easy for breeders to raise many broods in a year.
Cost of Purchasing a Budgie
Budgies are affordable both upfront and throughout their lives.
Their buying price varies depending on:
1. Where you purchased the budgie from. It can be either from a local breeder or a pet store.
2. Whether the budgie is a show bird or not.
3. Your locality.
4. Whether the budgie has been hand tamed or not.
5. The availability of the budgie species you want.
On average, the cost of a budgie ranges from $10-$35.
Added Costs For Keeping a Budgie
Other costs involve purchasing:
1. Cage
The price ranges between $75 and $100; however, you can get one for $50.
Always look for quality and space to enable your bird to have a long flight while in the cage. The more appropriate size of cage for two budgies is 18″ long, 12″ wide, and 12″ high.
2. Cage Stand
Budgies feel secure when they are positioned on a high point that is level with your head.
Hence, you need a cage stand, whose cost can range between $25 and $50.
3. Perches and Toys
To keep your budgie occupied and happy, you have to provide it with enough stimulation. This can be achieved by purchasing a variety of toys and perches for your bird to play with.
Perches of varying sizes and made of plastic or natural wood can be used. The varying sizes help keep the bird’s nails intact and in good shape.
It costs $10-$20 per basic perch for a standard cage.
4. Food and Dishes
Many cages come with food and water dishes. If not, you need to purchase at least three dishes, and a simple dish set goes for $10.
The price of food depends on the brand and quantity purchased. A bag of budgie food can cost $10, while toys and treats can cost another $25.
5. Medical Expenses
Budgies don’t need regular vaccinations. You will need $50 for the initial visit to your veterinarian once you acquire the bird. By doing so, the bird will be checked for any health issues before being tamed. It will also cost $35 annually for routine checks.
6. Recurring Costs
These are items that need to be purchased regularly and have an annual cost of $200-$225.
They include food, monthly supply needs, and annual veterinary care. Budgies require food such as pellets, cereals, green vegetables, fruits, vitamins, supplements, and minerals regularly. The cost of each purchase will depend on the location, type of food brand, availability, and quantity purchased.
Budgies also need water; however, the intake is low and may not greatly impact the water bill.
How often you purchase the food depends on the quantity you buy each time, and it’s advisable not to buy a large quantity at once as older food has low nutritional value.
What Are the Cons and Pros of Owning a Budgie?
Choosing to keep a budgie in your household has its advantages and disadvantages.
1. Pros
1. The best pet bird for families with children and other household pets.
2. It doesn’t need much space; hence, it’s ideal for small homes or apartments.
3. Less messy compared to larger species of birds like macaws.
4. They are affordable and have a low maintenance cost.
5. They are intelligent and entertaining.
6. They are able to form strong bonds as they are social and affectionate toward their owner.
2. Cons
1. It is challenging to tame if the bird is old or has not had any human contact.
2. They easily get sick and thus require regular medical attention.
3. They are slightly destructive as they chew on items they come across.
4. Frequent pooping. They excrete droppings every 12-15 minutes.
5. They are noisy due to their constant chirps and can sometimes scream.
6. They need companionship as they can get bored easily.
7. Vulnerable to accidents
Should I Buy 1 or 2 Budgies?
As a new budgie owner, it can be challenging to decide on the number of budgies to keep in your home. The number you choose will be determined by the amount of time you want to spend with your bird. If you decide to keep;
One Budgie
- It will bond with you as you have more time to interact.
- They are easy to tame, and your bird is likely to learn how to speak.
- Affordable, as it costs less to purchase feed and new toys.
- It requires less space to house one budgie.
Two Budgies
- The birds are likely to ignore you since they enjoy the company of their kind.
- It is easy to keep them happy as they can play together.
- Reduced playtime with your bird if you are busy.
- Your birds will occasionally fight each other.
Are Budgies Worth It?
If you are a new budgie owner, you might be asking yourself whether they are the best pets to have around your home or whether budgies are hard to take care of.
1. Budgies are brilliant, friendly and entertaining. They can easily bond, and they are playful and active compared to other parrots.
2. They are easy to tame and have colorful appearances that make our homes look lovely.
3. They are inexpensive and have low maintenance costs.
4. Budgies are communicative pets that can talk and mimic human speech.
5. They can be kept in pairs or more.
Are Budgies Good Pets For Beginners?
Yes, budgies make good pets for beginners. They are friendly, have low maintenance costs, are gentle, affectionate, and easy to tame if acquired at a young age.
Budgies are good for companionship, can enhance your mood and reduce stress. They are the best pets for all age groups as they rarely bite, and if they do, they don’t bite hard.
Do Budgies Like Being Handled?
Yes, budgies like to be handled. They like to spend time with their owners, and holding them gently is one of the ways you can interact with them. They also feel neglected if not petted, and they lack your attention.
Why Are Budgies So Cute?
Budgies are lovely birds to have around you due to:
1. Their colorful appearances.
2. They make our homes lively with their chirping and singing.
3. Their ability to talk.
4. They can perform many tricks, like coming to you when you call them.
5. Give you kisses and love to be held.
