Learn the recommended cage size for parakeets
As free as a bird🦅!
I do not think there is a phrase that epitomizes how much freedom a bird enjoys out in the wild, and while the idea is not to depict a bird’s liberty, at least you get an idea of how much they enjoy space.
So, it is unsettling every time pet stores insinuate that a parakeet (also called budgie) is ideal for owners with little space to spare. The argument usually is the bird is small anyway, so it doesn’t need a big cage.
Sad!😞☹
Fortunately, I plan to separate fact from fiction in this post to help both new and seasoned budgie parents provide their birds with the best cage setup.
It’s not only enough to provide your parakeet with enough cage room, but more is always better because no amount of room is big better than what they enjoy in the wild.
Eddie Waithaka, Birdspundit.
So, how big should your budgie (parakeet)🦜 be?
Your budgies cage should be at least 18“ wide, 18“ deep, and 20“ inches (or more) in length for a single bird. This space should be enough to allow your parakeet to extend its wings fully (about 1.5 to two times the wingspan) and flap them vigorously (for exercise) without hitting items, such as perches, toys, feeding bowls, or sidebars.
In centimeters, a cage for a budgie pair should sum up to 45 cms wide, 45 cms deep, and 52 cms in length.
Now, if your budgie will spend plenty of time in the cage, consider a birdcage that is more than two times his wingspan, but 1.5 is fine if you plan on letting it out most of the day.
You also need to consider having more space in the cage (more than 1.5 times the recommended size) when keeping more than one budgie to accommodate the extra perches, toys, and food (and water) bowls🍜.
What Size Cage Do You Need for 2 Budgies (Parakeets)
Given the cage size a single budgie needs, the space for two budgies should not be too hard to estimate. You only need to multiply the figures (width, depth, length) by two.
Ideally, a cage enough to host two budgies should be 36“ wide, 36“ deep, and 40“ long. However, because your budgies will not need the entire space all the time, a birdcage anywhere from 30“W by 30“D by 35“L should be adequate for your pair.
In centimeters, the cage for a budgie pair should sum up to (at least) 76 cms wide, 76 cms deep, and 90 cms in length.
I’m aware in some places, the legal minimum size for a budgie pair cage is 16“ by24“ by 32“ (40cms by 60cms by 80 cms), which in my opinion, is on the tinnier side, and since bigger is better, you are best getting the largest cage you can afford.
A big cage, especially the length and width, gives your birds a lot of room to play, exercise, and fly around.
What is The Right Bar Spacing A Budgie (Parakeet) Cage
Budgies are tiny birds but pretty curious and active.
They tend to stick their head in spaces to interrogate their environment and can get stuck (and choke) in the process.
As such, you not only want your cage to be adequate for your budgies and the spacing between the bars to be the right size to avoid probable accidents.
I recommend a bar spacing of between quarter-inch (0.25“) and half-inch (0.5“) for a parakeet (budgie) cage and other small birds like cockatiels, finches, canaries, and parrotlets.
Budgies love climbing. As such, horizontal bard cages are preferable for your bird to easily hang and move around.
Eddie Waithaka
Try to mostly get horizontal bars since vertical ones are hard to hang on. Bars running across the cage will allow your budgies to climb around the better.
You also want to avoid arches and go for right angles instead. Square and rectangular cages (with less curvature) make it easier for your budgies to find their way around, and the corners enhance their sense of safety and security.
How Should Your Parakeet (Budgie) Cage Be Setup
Now that you know the cage size you need for your budgie, and maybe, you’ve already got it, you will need to know how to set it up.
It should not be too complicated, and your most likely can figure it out on your own, but it helps to get a few pointers to provide your birdie with the best and optimal environment.
Perhaps the first thing is to establish is what you want (and need) in your budgie’s cage. Of course, items like feeding stations, perches, and assorted toys are a must for any parrot, big or small.
The feeding stations and perches need not be too sophisticated.
They can even be an ideal weekend DIY project. Only make sure they are not too big or bulky for your cage size.
You also need to make sure the perches are different sizes, textures, and shapes and placed at varying heights for your budgie’s feet exercise.
Perches can be placed aesthetically around the pen, a safe distance from hazards, such as bird lamps and the top of the cage.
Please note that perches can not be overlooked in any bird’s pen because of their unique needs in the cage.
Stands (perches) are necessary for foot exercise, prevent budgie toe problems, help your bird get around the cage, and provide a comfortable sleeping spot for your plummed kid.
As for feeding hoppers, you should place them centrally but close enough to the door for easy placement and removal. A feeder secured to the side of the cage is also ideal. Any healthy budgie will perch and eat.
Now, away from climbing, budgies love shiny, sparkly, colorful, and movable items, so make sure you have several of these playthings in your budgie’s cage.
A swing and a mirror are priced toys for most parrots, so add them to your budgie’s cage if it did not come with the items preinstalled.
Since all parrots love chewing and shredding things, shred and chew toys are also necessary for a budgie’s nest.
However, for nutritional (calcium) chewing items, I recommend cuttlebone to most of my readers since it also helps groom your bird’s beak.
You can either use zip ties or sturdy clips to attach cuttlebone to your budgies cage.
One last thing you need in your budgie’s cage is a plastic bottom tray that can be removed for easy cleaning, though most coops come equipped with one.
If you still need to line the bottom of your budgie’s cage to protect your floors, please get more insight in this this post.
Where Should You Place A Budgie’s Cage
Your budgies cage should be placed in a spot where the temperature is constant, away from direct sunlight, far from drafty windows and doors, and in a room that can easily be darkened.
Well, thats all for this post. See you in the next one.
All the best with your budgie🦜🦜.