Welcome to the Maryland Budgerigar Society
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Welcome to the Maryland Budgerigar Society
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Tips for Beginners
RESEARCH. Go to the library and read-up on the types of birds and their requirements. Make sure that you can adequately care for the breed you select before purchasing a bird. Research on the internet.
Buy from a Bird Breeder. Purchase birds directly from a breeder. Birds for sale in Pet stores have often been shipped long distances, are tossed into large cages with birds from other locations, and are therefore placed under considerable stress. This stress makes them highly susceptible to disease. Since these birds are exposed to large numbers of other birds, the possibility of exposure to disease is high. Moreover, breeders who sell wholesale to pet stores are not likely to pay particular attention to the quality of the birds they breed, which can result in inbreeding, poor quality offspring, and chicks that are unhealthy. You can find breeders by searching the internet and by joining a list group that specializes in the breed of bird that interests you. (See Links)
Buy the best birds you can afford. Its much better to buy just one or two birds that are of great quality than to buy a bunch of birds of undetermined quality. Believe me, you will be investing your heart and soul into your birds and you never know where your hobby will take you. Should you decide that you would like to exhibit your breed in the future, it will be much more feasible to do so if you started out with quality stock. The best way to ensure you are purchasing quality stock is to locate a breeder who currently shows their birds. Be sure to inform the breeder that you are looking for top quality stock and that you may be showing birds in the future. Most reputable breeders have birds available that are of pet and show quality.
Don't rush Start with a few birds and work with them. Don't go crazy and buy so many birds that you can't manage. Try out the breed first--see if the breed is right for you before you go and get in over your head. If you do find that the breed you have chosen isn't right for you, for whatever reason, you will be stuck with a lot of birds. Moreover, overcrowding can cause disease among your birds.
Join a list group. You can learn more than many avian vets know about budgies in a relatively short period of time by participating in a list group. These groups are managed by experts and they, and other members, are happy to answer any questions you have about your birds. You will also be inspired by the enthusiasm and love with which the members describe their birds. Its a wonderful feeling to tap into a group that shares your love of birds. Never fear, people who understand you are just a mouse click away. (See links for my favorite groups). Be sure to introduce yourself to the group and don't worry about asking "dumb", first timer questions. The members will answer you with kindness and understanding, for they were once "green" themselves.
Seek a Mentor. Many times, the breeder you purchase your birds from will serve as your mentor and assist you in how to care for your birds. Having someone you can call with questions is worth his/her weight in gold. Thank you, Kitty Newman of The Birds of Chilly Hollow (see Links), for always being there for us! Your list group will also serve as your mentor, which is wonderfully reassuring.
Stick with one (or two, if you must) varieties or breeds. Purchase one variety of bird and learn as much as you can about it before launching into another breed. Sometimes our enthusiasm can get the best of us. Its easier to stick with one breed of bird (i.e English Budgerigars) than it is to get involved in others. Moreover, few types of birds can be housed together successfully. For example, budgies and canaries cannot be kept together.
Don't plan on selling birds as a money making enterprise. Even the top breeders usually only make enough money from sales to pay for their seed.
Pay Attention to the nutritional needs of your birds. Its much easier to keep a bird healthy than it is to nurse it back to health. Provide your birds with the appropriate vegetables/fruits/minerals and quality seeds. I recommend buying your seed from a reputable bird supplier, such as Beaver Creek Aviary (online--see links). Don't buy your seed at the grocery store. You'll never know how long it has been sitting there.
Make sure your can identify a healthy bird. Know what a healthy bird should look like before you go bird shopping. This can save untold heartache. Conversely, once you bring your bird home, know the symptoms of a sick bird so you can spring into action before it is too late.
Quarantine new birds for at least 30 days. I know this can be tough to follow, but you cannot simply purchase a new bird and toss it in with your other birds at home. You must keep the bird in a separate area of the house and observe it carefully for 30 days to make sure it does not have any communicable ailments that it could spread to the rest of your beloved pets.
Make your own aviary/cages and save big bucks. Store bought cages are outrageously expensive. you can put together your cages very easily if you are even a tiny bit crafty. All you need is some pliers, some J clips, a J clip clamper, a wire and you are in business. These items are available online. (see links)
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