Best Age to Get a Budgie
Budgies are popular pets for people of all ages. As intelligent and social birds, they can make wonderful companions. If you’re thinking about bringing a budgie into your home, always consider the age of the bird.
The best age to get a budgie, or parakeet, is between 10 and 15 weeks old. At this age, they are still young enough to be very tame and friendly, making them perfect pets.
Budgies that are too young may not have the proper nutrition they need to grow, while budgies that are too old may have already developed habits that are difficult to break. When you bring a budgie home, at first, be patient and give them time to adjust to their new environment.
At What Age Should A Budgie Be Purchased?
The best age to purchase a budgie is around 10 to 15 weeks of age. At this age, budgies will have developed their personality and will be ready to adjust to a new home and environment.
They should have already begun to learn how to eat on their own and will be transitioning from a diet of seeds and hand-feeding to a diet of pellets and fresh vegetables.
Provide them with a healthy diet that is balanced and that provides adequate nutrition. Budgies also require regular access to fresh water and should be provided with toys and perches for physical and mental stimulation.
Keep note that budgies should never be purchased from a pet store; instead, they should be adopted from a reputable rescue or a private breeder.
Should You Buy Newborn Budgies?
While it may be tempting to purchase a budgie at a younger age due to its smaller size and lower cost, this is not recommended.
Budgies require socialization and a period of time for the development of their muscles and coordination. Budgies younger than eight weeks old may not have had enough time to form the necessary bonds with their parents and siblings that are crucial to their development and may not be ready to adapt successfully to a new home.
Moreover, the budgie will not yet have had the opportunity to properly develop basic skills such as flying and feeding.
Buying a newborn budgie puts the bird at an increased risk of not adapting well to its new home. So it is better to avoid buying them.
What Are The Advantages of Getting an Adult Budgie?
Adopting an adult budgie is a great way to bring a feathered companion into your home. Adult budgies offer many advantages over newborn budgies or older budgies. Here are some of the advantages:
Easier to handle
Adult budgies are an ideal choice for owners seeking a gentle, well-behaved pet. Compared to their younger counterparts, adult budgies are usually calmer, more social, and easier to train. As a result, they can quickly learn to respond to their owner’s commands and become a beloved, affectionate companion.
Established personality
Adult budgies are often preferred by owners, as they have already developed their personalities and have become accustomed to human interaction. This makes it possible for potential owners to select a bird that will be the perfect fit for their home and lifestyle. This can be especially beneficial for owners who don’t have the time or patience to train a young budgie.
Mimicking and talking
Adult budgies are much more likely to learn to talk and mimic sounds than their younger counterparts, as they have already developed their vocal cords and are more experienced with human interaction. Adult birds have had more time to observe and learn from their environment, as well as from their human caregivers, and this can enable them to pick up new skills with greater ease.
Should You Buy Older Budgies?
If you are considering purchasing a budgie, you may have wondered if you should buy an older bird or a younger one. While there are benefits to buying an older bird, there are also some drawbacks you should be aware of.
One advantage of buying an older budgie is that they are often already trained and can be easily handled. This means that you don’t need to spend much time teaching them to get used to being around humans. Moreover, older birds usually have more confidence and can be less timid than younger birds.
On the downside, Older budgies typically have a shorter lifespan than younger birds and may be more susceptible to health issues due to the natural aging process. As budgies grow older, they may experience age-related issues such as decreased energy, appetite, and vision. Also, their immune system can become weaker, which can make them more prone to illness.
Therefore, you should always consult a veterinarian before purchasing an older budgie.
What Should I Have Prepared in the Cage Before Bringing Home a Budgie?
Before bringing home a budgie, it’s crucial to have the essential needs in budgie cages prepared. First and foremost, line the cage with appropriate bedding materials like shredded paper or cage liners to ensure their comfort and easy cleaning. Provide perches of varying sizes to exercise their feet, along with a variety of toys to keep them mentally stimulated. Additionally, include dishes for food and water, ensuring they are easily accessible for the budgie’s well-being.
How to Tell the Age of a Budgie?
While budgies can live to be 15 years old or more in captivity, it can be difficult to determine the age of a budgie. However, there are a few physical characteristics that can help you narrow down the age of your budgie. Some of them are given below:
Cere
The first thing to look at is the cere, which is the fleshy area around the budgie’s nostrils. In young budgies, this area is usually blue or purple. As they age, the cere will change color to brown or tan in males, and pink or white in females. The color change usually happens around 6 months of age for males and 12-18 months for females.
Eyes
A reliable indicator of a budgie’s age is by observing the size and color of its eyes. Juvenile budgies typically have dark eyes with small pupils. As budgies mature, the pupils tend to enlarge and may be surrounded by a ring of lighter color.
Beak size
The size and shape of a budgie’s beak can be a useful indicator of its age. In general, younger birds have shorter, narrower beaks while older birds have longer, broader beaks. This is due to the wear and tear that budgies’ beaks undergo over time, resulting in a gradual enlargement in size and width.
Feet
Examine your budgie’s feet carefully. Young budgerigars often have smaller feet than older birds, with fewer wrinkles and a smoother texture. This can be a useful indicator of your bird’s age and overall health, as well as a sign that they are receiving proper nutrition.
If you’re still not sure how old your budgie is after examining these physical characteristics, you can always ask your veterinarian for help. They may be able to give you a more accurate estimate based on experience.
How To Know Your Budgie’s Age?
Conclusion
Budgies are very social birds and will bond best with their owners if they are between 4-8 weeks old.
At this age, the budgie is old enough to be separated from its parents, yet young enough to have the best chance of bonding with its new owner. Make sure that the budgie you get has been properly weaned and has been given enough time to adjust to the new environment.
Try to get your budgie from a reputable breeder, who can give you information about the bird’s background and health. With proper care and attention, a budgie can be a great companion for years to come.