FINCHforum

So, short story long, many months ago I thought about giving up my two gouldian finches. I did not enjoy watching them in their "small" cage (30x18x18) and it was difficult to keep clean with the birds inside. I even contacted L in Ontario, and asked her if she would give my birds a new home. (She said she would).
At the same time, I wanted to get my daughter's budgie in to a bigger home, as he rarely came out of his cage and he needed to fly more to stay healthy.

So several months ago I bought a double-wide from Cages Naomie outside of Montreal, Qc. Hubby was attending a tournament nearby, so he picked it up and brought it home.

We put Popcorn the budgie in it and he loves it. He flys all around, plays with his toys, sits and talks to us, barks like the dogs, "wheeks" like the guinea pig, mimics the Gouldian's song and I think he is in love with the aquarium - but I don't know if it is the water sound or if he sees his reflection.

So this is Popcorn, in the living room, aquarium beside him, dogs snoozing in the sun on the floor. Popcorn is just left of the center, near the top.


After a month of Popcorn in his new home, and once I saw how great the cage was, I ordered a second double wide and had it shipped to us.

Now Pongo and Perdita (the Gouldians) have lots of flight room! They are in our family room/office and this is what I see from my desk. The birds are in the top right corner.


These double wide cages are just the greatest thing ever. It is SO easy to block the birds to one side, take out the bottom grid and wash it, wash the tray, replace the paper, wipe out the one side and the repeat on the other side. I can't recommend them enough!

You can even put the divider in, completely remove one side, zip tie the divider to the remaining side, and take the other half outdoors to clean with a hose. I figure I'll do that each spring and fall, and wipe it out the rest of the time.

I am once again very happy with my birds and their homes, and all is right with the world again!

My kind of home, full of happy animals
I love your spacious and practical cages Pretty too

Very nice.

That's fabulous Lynn!! I've been wondering about you and the Goulds and I'm now so happy that you've been able get those HUGE cages for your fids. Congratulations!!

Nice! Your birds sure are lucky to live with you in such nice big cages.

Just one thing... Hope you don't mind me suggesting that: Maybe you would consider getting a companion for your budgie? They are very social birds and need their own species as friend. I'm sure he's happy enough now, but he'd be even happer in company of a second budgie. I just talked my co-worker into that and she said her original budgie is so much more active and chatty now... Maybe as a little Christmas present for you and your budgie?

Wonderful spacious set-up

Thank you everyone, and especially Liz (for taking my stress away).

Ursula - we have considered a friend for Popcorn, and still think about it occasionally. But my big worry is noise. I've seen how noisy budgies can be, and Popcorn is very quiet (for a budgie). Since he has the finches as friends, that is his song. He doesn't squawk, or screech, he burbles. I can sit beside his cage and talk to him, and he puts his head by mine and burbles at me. He mimics all the other animals in the house.

I think he is happy, and I know he would be happier with a friend, but I am terrified that we would end up with more noise than our household can stand. I've talked to the breeder and she thinks we are Ok, as things stand. If I could be 100% positive we wouldn't end up with screeching budgies, I'd get a second in a heartbeat! I've even considered English budgies, as I've heard they are quieter than American budgies.
Our humane society has rescue budgies all the time, and we have several local breeders, and I check them out and think and say nooooooo, don't do it!

Kiko wrote:
I've even considered English budgies, as I've heard they are quieter than American budgies.

They're just as noisy but with a posh accent...

You have a wonderful setup for your birdies Kiko....I love those huge cages!

As for getting another budgie....you are right....the noise level would double and triple.

I love budgie noise but if it is a concern for you and you keep him as a single bird....just make sure you interact with him a little bit every day and let him come out of his cage. If his wings are clipped you could just open the door and he will most likely climb up and all over his cage for exercise. If he is flighted then that may not work.

Lots of toys and some mirrors so he has a 'buddy' to tell his secrets to is good too. Unless you would be grossed out at Popcorn regurgitating on his mirror trying to feed his friend.

I had this one budgie who would always try to feed his mirror buddy and I would find a big pyramid of seeds on the floor under the mirror....ewwwww!

poohbear wrote:

Kiko wrote:
I've even considered English budgies, as I've heard they are quieter than American budgies.

They're just as noisy but with a posh accent...

*snort*

Thank you Featherharp - yes, I think I will continue to feel a bit guilty but leave him as a single budgie. We talk with him, and change up his toys. He doesn't come out because we have dogs which would eat him.
I do think he is Ok, or I would do something about it.

Hope you'll change your mind one day about a buddie for your budgie. (Budgies feeding their mirrors?? That's sad!! )

If you don't want noise you shouldn't get budgies... With or without a British accent.

Ursula wrote:Hope you'll change your mind one day about a buddie for your budgie. (Budgies feeding their mirrors?? That's sad!! )

Ursula...just to clarify my statement.....he was not a single budgie there was another budgie in the cage with him but he preferred his mirror buddy more than the live friend. I did take away the mirror so he would interact more with his buddy.

FeatherHarp wrote:

Ursula wrote:Hope you'll change your mind one day about a buddie for your budgie. (Budgies feeding their mirrors?? That's sad!! )

Ursula...just to clarify my statement.....he was not a single budgie there was another budgie in the cage with him but he preferred his mirror buddy more than the live friend. I did take away the mirror so he would interact more with his buddy.

Sorry, I missed that, Deborah! ... Strange bird!!