Connor and Blu

[Wolf]

I would not use the same feeder in the aviary as is used for the wild birds nor would I place them next to each other. As for the other predators, if the aviary is constructed correctly then with the entry closed none of them could get into the aviary. If you are out in the aviary with your birds then the wild ones will keep their distance. With the entrance kept closed whether the aviary is in use or not, an occasional washing and you in the aviary when your birds are in it ,I think would pretty much eliminate the risk of disease from other animals. It is true that there is no way to safe guard 100% against the possibility of disease, but I think that with these practices in effect you will protect as much as possible against this problem. I don't think that the risk would be any higher than your birds are already exposed to at the present time.

[Pajarita]

Well, actually, yes, the risk is much higher outside than it is inside but there are benefits, too (sunshine, fresh air, etc). Wild birds can transmit disease just by flying over the aviary so even if they don't approach it, the risk is still there and there is absolutely nothing you can to prevent this because spores, bacteria and viruses are all spread by air so, unless the aviary is inside a glass bubble, contagion is always possible. As to the predators, you need to bury the hardware cloth, at least, two feet down into the soil all around the perimeter and put something into the soil right under the door to prevent predators from digging under it to get inside. Mosquitos are another problem so a well made aviary should have mosquito screening all around as well as the hardware cloth (but this is a bit of a luxury, I would think). You also have to provide some shade as well as protection from the elements. Now, if you are planning on been there with them all the time -quite impractical, if you ask me- then you don't need to bury the mesh all around or provide protection from the elements but you still have to provide shade because little birds do get sunstroke, same as people. But I don't understand why you cannot have another budgie because, if you have a cage large enough for one, you have a cage large enough for two.

[Blu]

I would have to talk to my parents about another budgie. I definitely have enough room as Blu's cage is pretty large.

[Pajarita]

Well, there you go! Why don't you ask them if you could adopt a female from Craig's list? Sometimes they even give them away for free, the poor things! And he would LOVE having a girlfriend!

[Blu]

What do you think about putting little trays of grass in the bottom of Blu's cage so he can forage like he would in the wild?

[Wolf]

I think that the idea is a great one especially for your budgie as they are partial ground feeders. I wonder, however, if it might be a good idea to start this by planting the grass in potting soil as it should be free of any fungus, or creepy crawlies and you can even choose what grasses to plant for them.

[Blu]

Thats great!! I have a little potted plan on my window sill and Blu would root around in it since it had sphagnum moss in top. I didnt want him to do that since I didnt know what was in the soil. I think it would help to get him to eat more veggies. What grass would you recommend?

[Wolf]

I am not sure, but budgies are native to central Australia so I would suggest that you do a little research to see what the predominate grasses are there and then compare that to what grass seeds that you can find in your area. Let us know what you learn.

[Pajarita]

Use ONLY organic soil and throw some wheat kernels - budgies ADORE wheat grass and it's VERY nutritious. But you can also use millet and canary seeds.

[Blu]

Got it. Thank you both. Ill get back to you with what I find