What routine grooming do I need to do for my budgie?
It is a good idea to get your budgie checked regularly by a vet, but there are some areas where you could help:
- Your budgie's beak should be clean and the upper and lower parts of the beak overlap properly. Undershot beaks, where the tip of the upper bill tucks into the lower part will need to be cut back by the vet throughout the affected bird's life. If there is any dirt inside the beak, you can scrape this out with the plain end of a dead match. Cuttlefish bone will help keep a beak in trim, and this can be attached to the cage with a special clip.
- It is always a good idea to check a budgie's feet for lumps and bumps at least once a month. If their claws are caked in dirt, then you can put the budgie's foot in a container of warm water. When the debris is soft, it can be gently broken off, taking care not to harm the feet. Claws may have to be clipped if they are growing at an odd angle, or curl around so that it is difficult for a budgie to get around. It is best to get these clipped by a vet as if you use scissors, the claws may split.
- Budgies that are kept indoors won't have the chance to bathe when it rains, so the feathers can become dry and ruffled. You can get a budgie bath that fits over the cage door, but some budgies don't like bathing in still water. You can use a sprayer to mimic a bath in the rain. Fill a fine mist sprayer used for plants with lukewarm water. Take out the food pots from the cage, and gently spray just above the budgie's head so that the water droplets fall like rain. This should be done weekly.
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