Ask how old the bird you want to buy is. To train your budgie and make it people friendly, get it when it is still young. = = = = = Selecting Your Budgie Selecting Your Budgie Young birds have stripes running on their foreheads and down to their beaks. (But not all of them reveal this, specifically, the albinos and lutinos will not show this.) A 6 or 7 week-old bird is a good choice. Ask the pet shop owner or the breeder how old the bird actually is. And finally, say a big NO to buying birds older than 4 months. The reason is obvious; they could be difficult to train. The overall health of the budgie is as important, as everything else. The bird you have chosen must be playful and alert, with its other companions. An alert and active bird is generally a happy bird. You could also observe that some birds are small and sitting quietly in a corner. It's better not to select these. Select a bird with bright eyes, and a good weight. Next, feel the breastbone - a slightly pointy tip 10 must-follow tips to bring home a healthy and lively budgie = = = A budgie with stripes running down to the cere, is usually not more than 3 or 4 months old. must be felt under the bird's skin. It must be surrounded on its sides by healthy muscles and flesh. Make sure that the breastbone you are feeling is not very sharp, pointed or protruding. Birds with good weight do not mean over-weight birds. The vent area is yet another aspect that needs to be checked. It must be clean, free of poop and debris. Does the bird have poop stuck on its rear end, or feathers stained with poop? Don't buy such a bird. A dirty vent can mean bad hygiene, digestive problems, or other medical complications. Check for discharge or crustiness on the beak, the cere, legs, feet, or around the eyes of the budgie. No, discharge must be found around the cere, or on the feathers. Always look for birds that have clean nostrils. Discharge caked on the beak or nostrils could indicate respiratory problems; so, look carefully. Next, listen to the budgie's breathing, carefully. A “click” noise/sound could indicate air sac mites, or even other respiratory disorders. And yes, a budgie with a wheezing problem is not a healthy bird. Count the toes of the budgie you have selected. A = = = = = Selecting Your Budgie normal healthy bird must have all its toes. Check to see if the bird is making good use of its toes while walking, climbing or perching. Are the toes of the bird abnormally scaly? This could mean there are mites present, and that means that, the bird is best avoided. So, you don't any missing toes on the budgie you select! The feathers and the wings of the bird must be full and shiny. Don't get birds that have incomplete feathers. Check to see if the wings are clipped, but also check if all the feathers are there, as well. While checking the body parts, make sure you don't miss out the beak. The beak should be relatively smooth, not overgrown, and must meet smoothly. Yet another indication of mites is an overgrown beak. In fact an overgrown beak could also signify other problems, as well. |