BUILDING AN AVIARY?

QUESTION:
I have two very cute budgies named Sadie and Baby Merle (both boys).I've had Sadie for 8 years and he is a crazy, happy budgie, alwaystalking and dancing around. I've only had Baby Merle for a month andi think he is still adjusting. The two boys live in a spacious cagebut this summer I am planning on creating an aviary in a spare room.It is a perfect size. I am going to knock down one of the walls andput in sliding doors for easy access and so I can see them. And ofcourse I will want to get new birds. But I have a few questions.Does anyone have an aviary for their budgies and can tell me whatkind of toys etc. they have? Are there some good websites that haveideas for aviaries? What is dangerous for budgies? What kind ofbirds can I keep in the same room with my budgies? Thanks for allyour help!


ANSWER:
My husband and I built our Aviary about 4 years ago. It is 6' X 6' X 7' high in our Living room/Dining room. It's the "focal" point of our home.

We have about 100 Cockatiels, Budgies, Canaries, and Zebra Finches who have been together for 4 years. The Budgies and Zebra Finches can be "nasty" and "territorial" little Birdies. The Canaries are more peaceful and sweet. So we had to build a smaller Aviary (on wheels) to house our Canaries. All of our Birdies are extremely "prolific" so that we have to remove their eggs every morning.

We designed our Aviary to be easy to add-on to as the population of our Birdies increased. We cut 4" X 4" X 3' untreated Pine studs in half lengthwise and attached them with hinges. We did this so that when these are hinged together they form a square Aviary 6' X 6' X 7' high. We used 2" X 2" so as not to obstruct the view of the Birdies with 2 attached 4" X 4" studs. Each section of our Aviary is a 3' X 3' X 3' frame to which we added an additional foot at the top to give our Cockatiels added height to "perch". Cockatiels like to perch way up high in the trees in the wild and in our Aviary they like the very top.

We used untreated Pine because Cedar is aromatic and could cause problems for the Birdies. We varnished the Pine with Marine Spar Varnish (4 coats) to make it easy to remove Birdie poo poo.

We have Cockatiels who love to "chew" so we had to use a heavy 1/2" galvanized metal wire screen. This is good to hang their food cups and water dispensers.

We left enough room all the way around the Aviary so we can walk around it to inspect the nests without going inside and disturbing our Birdies. Also, I didn't want the Aviary right up against the walls because the Birdies need to have the screens to "grab" onto if they become tired or frightened.

We attached various size natural tree branches and sisal hemp rope inside at various heights. We left the center free of Branches and obstruction so they can fly around and exercise. They have numerous toys which they all love to play with.

We put a mattress on the bottom of our Aviary because we have Italian tile flooring throughout our home and, occasionally, a frightened Birdie might fall off of a perch at night.

Since our Aviary is inside there is no need for a "safety entrance". We have a narrow door that faces a wall. That way if a Birdie should accidentally get by us as we enter the aviary, then, he'll face the wall and he will be easier to net. Our ceiling is 20 feet high. When a Birdie becomes adventurous and decides to take "a fly around outside the Aviary" then we just wait until he gets tired and flies back to his family and friends in the Aviary.

My husband installed (4) 4 ' long full-spectrum lights above the Aviary that produces the same effect as natural sunlight. He hooked up the lights to an automatic timer.

There were NOT any informative sites that I could find on the Internet to give us the information that we needed to build our Aviary to our specifications. We learned how to do it by doing it ourselves. So far everything has been perfect---- except the SIZE. This summer we will extend our Aviary from its present size 6' X 6' X 7' high to 12' X 12' X 14' high. Our Cockatiels love to fly around in the Aviary and we love to watch them unencumbered freely flying around.

We have plenty of nest boxes (1 per each pair of Birdies), natural tree branches, toys, feeding sites, water dispensers, water cups, and bathing sites for everybody. We hang fresh carrot tops, romaine lettuce, Chinese cabbage, and spinach every morning which they love to eat and to play with. They hang and swing from these hanging veggies like "trapeze artists".
We had fun creating our Aviary and we enjoy our Birdies every day. Here are some photos of our Birdies in our Aviary. Check it out.

http://groups.msn.com/EIJMNN/karensbirdees.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=681

http://groups.msn.com/EIJMNN/karensbirdees.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=686

http://groups.msn.com/CockatielWorld/birdeebeautees.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=363

http://groups.msn.com/CockatielWorld/birdeebeautees.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=355

http://groups.msn.com/CockatielWorld/birdeebeautees.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=360

Good luck with your project. I know you'll love it. It's a great idea.

BUDGIE AND A NEW BABY?

QUESTION: We are expecting our first child in July and are wondering how our4 yr. budgie will deal with it. He has been our baby all along and hasfree range of the apartment. I am worried once the baby comes and hehas to stay in his cage more that he will become depressed and jealous. Has anyone dealt with this before? Any advice would be greatlyappreciated.From my experience with Human Babies and Budgies, I have found the two to be totally compatible.

ANSWER: I have raised Budgies and children for a while and I love them both. Budgies are the most intelligent and sensitive little Birdies. We don't give them enough credit. I'm sure your Budgie is feeling that he is a part of your "family". What a pity that you should have to deprive him of the opportunity to experience a new little human life form in his world by relegating him to the lonely confines of his cage. It is "his" apartment as much as it is yours and your new baby's.

Your Budgie will want to see the baby. Then after he takes a look at it then he will become "bored" with it. Your Budgie has a life of his own. He probably likes to fly around and play. I don't know why people all of a sudden will change their attitude about a beloved pet when they have a new baby. You and your pet Budgie have shared the same apartment for 4 years. Your new Baby will be a part of your life and your Budgie should be allowed to be a part of his life also. I'm sure your sweet Budgie will not hurt the Baby. I have never heard of a Budgie that has gone out of its way to injure a baby. Nobody should ever leave their Baby alone with ANY ANIMAL, for that matter, with SOME PERSONS, as well.

If your Budgie is allowed to maintain his present lifestyle around your "new addition", then, he will be a pleasant diversion for you and your baby. New Human Babies do a lot of sleeping and eating and pooping for several months. They are not very interesting after the initial "newness" wears off . Of course, you wouldn't leave your baby at home alone with your pet Budgie. You will be there to intervene if the Budgie should take a "close" inspection of the new human. The problem usually occurs when a child is about 18 months old and they begin to explore independently. Then, I would protect your pet Budgie from the Baby.

I suggest that you purchase a "compatible" mate for your Pet Budgie (same sex or opposite sex --- it doesn't matter, because if you don't want Baby Budgies then just remove their eggs). Now is the time to make the purchase so that you will have the next 4 months to make your Sweet Budgie happy with his new "companion". This way, if you will be ignoring your pet Budgie, he will have a "flock" mate (another soul mate) to bond with before the arrival of your baby when things will start to become "different" due to added responsibilities of caring for a human baby.

If your Budgie is given the "gift" of another Budgie Friend now, I assure you that he will be a happy little Budgie and so will you when your new Baby arrives.

TEACH A BUDGIE TO TALK

Our Birdies learn from each other. We will teach a Birdee to "step up" and the others are wonderful at "immitating" the Birdie who does the "step up". My grandson is 6 years old and he will teach them to come to him and "step up" onto his finger without any problems. Previously I posted the LINK to the photo of him with 1 of our Baby Budgies that he "trained" all by himself to do "step up".

First born Budgie Babies will "feed" and "mentor" their siblings. Mommy and Daddy Budgies always spend longer with the "first" born because they know that the other siblings will be "taught" by him. In the wild this is a means of preserving the species. Occasionally, parents will meet with an unfortunate demise, then babies will have an older sibling to care for them.

I use this knowledge of Wild Birdie Behavior to train my Budgies in our Aviary. I always teach the first-born of a clutch. Then, when this bird is able to "perform" the tricks, the other siblings are "taught" by their older sibling. It works all the time. I spend more time teaching a first-born Budgie. Then, when he has mastered my "speaking" and "finger" commands he will ALWAYS "teach" his siblings.

When I go to the Aviary to "talk" with a Birdie, I will pick a Birdie who has already "mastered" 1 or 2 words and I will use these words while speaking to the Bird while I maintain "eye to eye" contact with him. The Birdie will repeat my words and will incorporate his already "learned" word(s) into our Birdie conversation. Their desire to "communicate" is strong.

My favorite Budgie, Joey, is the most intelligent of them all. He has NO babies. He is the "UNCLE" that feeds and mentors all of the others in our Aviary----Thank YOU, sweet Jesus. Because Joey is the quickest to learn, I focus on him. This is why I love Joey so much and I feel sad when I think about how he has such a GREAT RESPONSIBILITY. The others are free to "breed" and "play". I have used my little Joey's higher "intelligence" to train my other Budgies.

Joey, will come over to me and say something e.g. "WOOK !!!" ("Look") This means that there is something that I should pay attention to in the Aviary. Usually he is telling me that 1 of their "toys" has fallen to the floor (They all love their little plastic teeter totter toy and their mirrors, etc., and their toys get quite a beating.) So, Joey will tell me "Wook !" Then, he follows up by flying over to where he wants me to Look. He is so good. I love him.

While Joey is "vocalizing" with me, there are usually 3 or 4 other Baby Budgies (sometimes Finches and Cockatiels, also) who will watch Joey while he "speaks". They will "stare" at him very intently focusing on his neck and beak and the "muscles" that he uses to form the words. Then, another Budgie will try it. My Budgies learn to say "Wook !" "Yeah !!" "Yeah Right" "Woa Baby !"

My husband is not a person who likes a lot of talking in our home. But, now he has many little voices commanding him to "Wook!" Another phrase that my Birdies will "immitate" is "Oh Babee". I can hear them talking up a storm to each other in their little "Budgie" voices.

The way to get them to participate in a meaningful "conversation" with you, is to remember "eye contact" with the Budgie while you speak "sincerely" to him/her. Don't use exaggerated and incongruent "Birdie talk". This is confusing to an animal who sincerely wants to share his world with you by communicating appropriately.

When A Budgie makes a sound that you can understand, then you should use that sound in a meaningful way to let the Budgie know that you understand his "communication". He will repeat the sound that you reacted positively to. There. Now you have a Cage full of talking Budgies.

It's very easy. Budgies love to talk. Just like I do. My husband has learned to "talk" with our Budgies. My husband doesn't like the Computer Internet, so I know he won't read this because he wouldn't want anybody to know that he talks to the Birdies now. At first he couldn't believe that I had taught our Budgies to talk. Now I can hear him in the Bird Room "talking" to the Budgies and they will "converse" with him just like they do with me. It's true.

Try it. It works. In fact, I believe that when you have more than 1 Birdie it is easier for them to learn anything. Remember, all Birds are members of a "FLOCK", especially Budgies. The flock is their teacher. No single Birdie is responsible for providing all of the needs for the FLOCK. They each "mentor" each other. It is wonderful. Birds never cease to AMAZE ME !!!

Budgie talk is cute and sweet.

TEACH A BUDGIE TO TALK

Our Birdies learn from each other. We will teach a Birdee to "step up" and the others are wonderful at "immitating" the Birdie who does the "step up". My grandson is 6 years old and he will teach them to come to him and "step up" onto his finger without any problems. Previously I posted the LINK to the photo of him with 1 of our Baby Budgies that he "trained" all by himself to do "step up".

First born Budgie Babies will "feed" and "mentor" their siblings. Mommy and Daddy Budgies always spend longer with the "first" born because they know that the other siblings will be "taught" by him. In the wild this is a means of preserving the species. Occasionally, parents will meet with an unfortunate demise, then babies will have an older sibling to care for them.

I use this knowledge of Wild Birdie Behavior to train my Budgies in our Aviary. I always teach the first-born of a clutch. Then, when this bird is able to "perform" the tricks, the other siblings are "taught" by their older sibling. It works all the time. I spend more time teaching a first-born Budgie. Then, when he has mastered my "speaking" and "finger" commands he will ALWAYS "teach" his siblings.

When I go to the Aviary to "talk" with a Birdie, I will pick a Birdie who has already "mastered" 1 or 2 words and I will use these words while speaking to the Bird while I maintain "eye to eye" contact with him. The Birdie will repeat my words and will incorporate his already "learned" word(s) into our Birdie conversation. Their desire to "communicate" is strong.

My favorite Budgie, Joey, is the most intelligent of them all. He has NO babies. He is the "UNCLE" that feeds and mentors all of the others in our Aviary----Thank YOU, sweet Jesus. Because Joey is the quickest to learn, I focus on him. This is why I love Joey so much and I feel sad when I think about how he has such a GREAT RESPONSIBILITY. The others are free to "breed" and "play". I have used my little Joey's higher "intelligence" to train my other Budgies.

Joey, will come over to me and say something e.g. "WOOK !!!" ("Look") This means that there is something that I should pay attention to in the Aviary. Usually he is telling me that 1 of their "toys" has fallen to the floor (They all love their little plastic teeter totter toy and their mirrors, etc., and their toys get quite a beating.) So, Joey will tell me "Wook !" Then, he follows up by flying over to where he wants me to Look. He is so good. I love him.

While Joey is "vocalizing" with me, there are usually 3 or 4 other Baby Budgies (sometimes Finches and Cockatiels, also) who will watch Joey while he "speaks". They will "stare" at him very intently focusing on his neck and beak and the "muscles" that he uses to form the words. Then, another Budgie will try it. My Budgies learn to say "Wook !" "Yeah !!" "Yeah Right" "Woa Baby !"

My husband is not a person who likes a lot of talking in our home. But, now he has many little voices commanding him to "Wook!" Another phrase that my Birdies will "immitate" is "Oh Babee". I can hear them talking up a storm to each other in their little "Budgie" voices.

The way to get them to participate in a meaningful "conversation" with you, is to remember "eye contact" with the Budgie while you speak "sincerely" to him/her. Don't use exaggerated and incongruent "Birdie talk". This is confusing to an animal who sincerely wants to share his world with you by communicating appropriately.

When A Budgie makes a sound that you can understand, then you should use that sound in a meaningful way to let the Budgie know that you understand his "communication". He will repeat the sound that you reacted positively to. There. Now you have a Cage full of talking Budgies.

It's very easy. Budgies love to talk. Just like I do. My husband has learned to "talk" with our Budgies. My husband doesn't like the Computer Internet, so I know he won't read this because he wouldn't want anybody to know that he talks to the Birdies now. At first he couldn't believe that I had taught our Budgies to talk. Now I can hear him in the Bird Room "talking" to the Budgies and they will "converse" with him just like they do with me. It's true.

Try it. It works. In fact, I believe that when you have more than 1 Birdie it is easier for them to learn anything. Remember, all Birds are members of a "FLOCK", especially Budgies. The flock is their teacher. No single Birdie is responsible for providing all of the needs for the FLOCK. They each "mentor" each other. It is wonderful. Birds never cease to AMAZE ME !!!

Budgie talk is cute and sweet.

My 6 year old grandson loves to teach our baby Budgies to do "step up". They learn quickly.

TEACH A BUDGIE TO TALK

Our Birdies learn from each other. We will teach a Birdie to "step
up" and the others are wonderful at "immitating" the Birdie who does
the "step up". My grandson is 6 years old and he will teach them to
come to him and "step up" onto his finger without any problems.

First born Budgie Babies will "feed" and "mentor" their siblings.
Mommy and Daddy Budgies always spend longer with the "first" born
because they know that the other siblings will be "taught" by him.
In the wild this is a means of preserving the species. Occasionally,
parents will meet with an unfortunate demise, then babies will have
an older sibling to care for them.

I use this knowledge of Wild Birdie Behavior to train my Budgies in
our Aviary. I always teach the first-born of a clutch. Then, when
this bird is able to "perform" the tricks, the other siblings
are "taught" by their older sibling. It works all the time. I spend
more time teaching a first-born Budgie. Then, when he has mastered
my "speaking" and "finger" commands he will ALWAYS "teach" his
siblings.

When I go to the Aviary to "talk" with a Birdie, I will pick a Birdie
who has already "mastered" 1 or 2 words and I will use these words
while speaking to the Bird while I maintain "eye to eye" contact
with him. The Birdie will repeat my words and will incorporate his
already "learned" word(s) into our Birdie conversation. Their desire
to "communicate" is strong.

My favorite Budgie, Joey, is the most intelligent of them all. He
has NO babies. He is the "UNCLE" that feeds and mentors all of the
others in our Aviary----Thank YOU, sweet Jesus. Because Joey is the
quickest to learn, I focus on him. This is why I love Joey so much
and I feel sad when I think about how he has such a GREAT
RESPONSIBILITY. The others are free to "breed" and "play". I have
used my little Joey's higher "intelligence" to train my other
Budgies.

Joey, will come over to me and say something e.g. "WOOK !!!"
("Look") This means that there is something that I should pay
attention to in the Aviary. Usually he is telling me that 1 of
their "toys" has fallen to the floor (They all love their little
plastic teeter totter toy and their mirrors, etc., and their toys get
quite a beating.) So, Joey will tell me "Wook !" Then, he follows
up by flying over to where he wants me to Look. He is so good. I
love him.

While Joey is "vocalizing" with me, there are usually 3 or 4 other
Baby Budgies (sometimes Finches and Cockatiels, also) who will watch
Joey while he "speaks". They will "stare" at him very intently
focusing on his neck and beak and the "muscles" that he uses to form
the words. Then, another Budgie will try it. My Budgies learn to
say "Wook !" "Yeah !!" "Yeah Right" "Woa Baby !"

My husband is not a person who likes a lot of talking in our home.
But, now he has many little voices commanding him to "Wook!" Another
phrase that my Birdies will "immitate" is "Oh Babee". I can hear
them talking up a storm to each other in their little "Budgie"
voices.

The way to get them to participate in a meaningful "conversation"
with you, is to remember "eye contact" with the Budgie while you
speak "sincerely" to him/her. Don't use exaggerated and
incongruent "Birdie talk". This is confusing to an animal who
sincerely wants to share his world with you by communicating
appropriately.

When A Budgie makes a sound that you can understand, then you should
use that sound in a meaningful way to let the Budgie know that you
understand his "communication". He will repeat the sound that you
reacted positively to. There. Now you have a Cage full of talking
Budgies.

It's very easy. Budgies love to talk. Just like I do. My husband
has learned to "talk" with our Budgies. My husband doesn't like the
Computer Internet, so I know he won't read this because he wouldn't
want anybody to know that he talks to the Birdies now. At first he
couldn't believe that I had taught our Budgies to talk. Now I can
hear him in the Bird Room "talking" to the Budgies and they
will "converse" with him just like they do with me. It's true.

Try it. It works. In fact, I believe that when you have more than 1
Birdie it is easier for them to learn anything. Remember, all Birds
are members of a "FLOCK", especially Budgies. The flock is their
teacher. No single Birdie is responsible for providing all of the
needs for the FLOCK. They each "mentor" each other. It is
wonderful. Birds never cease to AMAZE ME !!!

Budgie talk is cute and sweet.

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OUR COCKATIELS AND THEIR FAMILY. 

We have Cockatiels with their Babies and Budgies with their babies with Finches and their Babies and 2 Canaries in the same Aviary and they get along pretty well. Thank God. 

We have Cockatiels, Budgies, Canaries, and Finches together in our Aviary. Everybody gets alone congenially. Thank YOU, Lord. 

Karey and Jacob our Beautiful Albino Husband and Wife Pure Albino Budgies 

"PURE" Albino Budgie

In my opinion, there is nothing more "PURE", "CLEAN", and "FRESH"
looking, than a "PURE" Albino Budgie. THEY ARE GORGEOUS !!! We have
been raising our Albinos for several years and they are the
"HARDIEST" of our many different varieties of Birdies. They are a
very intelligent, energetic, healthy, and strong Budgie.

Our Albino Budgies learn to "step up" immediately without many days
of "repetition". They start to "talk" and will repeat 1 or 2 phrases
when they are about 2 months old. I believe it is because they are
kept in our Aviary with their family members. Birds seem to do much
better when they are kept as a "family" or "flock". They "mentor"
each other. Also, my husband and I spend time "loving" our Birdies.

We have NEVER had ANY problems with our "Albino" Budgies. Thank YOU,
Lord. In fact, they are such great Birdies that whenever we sense
there is a "problem" with another Budgie Mommie neglecting her
offspring then we place the neglected Budgie Baby in the nest box of
our original Albino parents, who will always raise it with the
same "LOVE" that they give to their own "blood" offspring.

ALL Birdies require "eye contact" and "comfort" and "understanding"
to BECOME BEAUTIFUL HEALTHY BIRDIES.

Breeding "Albino" Budgies is simple. It is easy to predict the
outcome of their matings. The characteristic that produces
a "Lutino" Budgie,is the same characteristic that will produce
an "Albino" Budgie. The DIFFERENCE is that the "Lutino" Budgie is
the "--ino" form of the "GREEN" while the "ALBINO" is THE "BLUE"
FORM.

"ALBINISM" is a very interesting "SEX-LINKED" characteristic. It can
be predictably reproduced in Budgies the same way as the "Opalines",
"Cinnamons", "Lacewings" and "Slates".

Only one bird which carries the "--INO" factor is needed to start
an "Albino" family of Budgies. You can start by using 2 "PURE
ALBINO" cocks (either brothers or closely related "pure" Albino male
Budgies). These 2 cocks can then be paired to normal (or opaline)
HENS. All of the hens from these matings will be "Albino" and all the
cocks that are produced from these matings will be CARRIERS of the "--
-ino" factor. "CARRIERS" are called "SPLITS".

A hen bred from each Albino cock can then be mated with another
Albino cock which will give you two pairs to produce ALL ALBINO
offspring. A "SPLIT" cock from one pair who is mated to another
Albino hen from the other will give you 2 more pairs which can
produce BOTH "pure" Albino cocks AND "pure" Albino hens.

The first 2 related "PURE" Albino cocks will produce uncle to niece
matings and matings of "first" cousins. These are good matings.

I have included a "Table of Pairings and Expectations" for anybody
who is interested in Breeding "Pure" Albino Budgies. My husband and
I have a few years of experience with BREEDING PURE ALBINO BUDGIES
and our methods have ALWAYS proven to be successful. Thank YOU,
Lord. (Praying helps)

albino x albino will yeild 100% albino Baby Budgies.

albino cock x normal hen will yeild normal/albino cocks albino hens

normal/albino cock x albino hen will yeild albino cocks normal/albino
cocks albino hens normal hens

normal cock x albino hen will yeild normal/albino cocks normal hens

normal/albino cock x normal hen will yeild normal cocks
normal/albino cocks albino hens normal hens

Have fun with your new "Albino" Budgie. The most important
ingredient when raising "perfect" Albino Budgies----LOVE !!!

Karey and Jacob our Beautiful Albino Husband and Wife Pure Albino Budgies

LA CALMA DESPUES DE EL TORMENTO

Cuanto más viejo consigo, más que soy agradecido para mis"memorias". Conjeturo que la vida en el presente llega a ser másdifícil más viejos llegamos a ser. Una qué pérdida de energía. Situviera la energía, participaría en muchos de diversas actividades.Desafortunadamente, ahora me siento como podría vivir en "memorias".No puedo dejarme morar en el pasado puesto que hay tanto hacer hoy. Mesiento como ir el oxígeno exterior y de respiración que esincontaminado por el calor congestionado adentro. La vida es hermosahoy. Gracias, Señor.
"no se preocupe ni tenga ninguna ansiedad sobre cualquier cosa, sinoen cada circunstancia y en todo, por rezo y la petición conthanksgiving, continúa haciendo su desea sabido al dios." Filipenses4:6

LA CALMA DESPUÉS DE LA TORMENTA

Jueves, de febrero el 24, 2005 LA CALMA DESPUÉS DE LA TORMENTA cuandollueve y es exterior fangoso y frío y deslizadizo por 3 semanasderecho, entonces las lluvias paran, él son como incorporar una nuevavida de la hierba verde "sunshiny" brillante, de los pájaros quecantan, y del cielo coloreado azul azul "más azul". Si vinieraalguien de otro planeta abajo y preguntarme cuál es el significado dela palabra "azul" que señalaría al cielo como está siguiendo hoy lalluvia. Me recuerdan de 1 de mi parada preferida absoluta de laspeli'culas-"Who'll la lluvia" y la banda de sonido de ella que amo porCredence Clearwater. Tales buenas memorias. ¡Mi calidad que es hacecasi 20 años! Nuestra vida es "efímera". Otro ti'tulo-"Gone de lapelícula con el viento" (no uno de mis favoritos, a propósito). Detodas las películas de la guerra civil preferí el "condado deRaintree" con Montgomery Clift y el sastre de Elizabeth.