BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Birds 5 parakeets & cages

We have 5 Parakeets who are in 3 cages. A male and female each in 2 cages and a single male in another cage. The pairs have been together for over a year and show no interest in mating [ thank havens]They are all in one room close to each other. They actually have bill contact between the wire sides. Is it possible to have them all in one cage? If so what size or can I use one of my existing cages? I have 2 in cage that measures 13" wide, 16" H, and 15" long. It looks like a 2 story house. The other pair are in a cage 13" wide, 14" long and 15" H [cocktail cage] and the lone one is in a round cage.
Any ideas would be great. Thanks

Budgies are flocking birds & they would probably enjoy being all together. I wouldn't put them all in any of the cages you have though, as they are all too small. I would suggest something at least 3 feet long with a width & height being 2 feet (or more). You should have at least 3 food and 2 water dishes at first, although if there are no problems, you could reduce the number later. I like to keep multiple dishes in cages with multiple birds to avoid any fighting over who gets to eat first.

Thank you for the info. I'll start looking for a cage big enough. Should I introduce them into the new cage as established pairs or one at a time over several hours?

I would put them all in at the same time.

Thanks. I'll put the lone male in with the 2 in the biggest cage until after Christmas. I plan on going to a bird show near here and looking at cages. They generally hold them monthly.

Something like this would probably be good. I made it myself in about 3 hours from materials that cost about $30. Making it yourself would let you be able to get the size cage you want for whatever area you plan on putting it in. I dont think it takes that much skill, but if you dont feel like you can do it, then shop around.

I don't think that material would hold up to a budgies beak (& especially 5 budgies beaks). Otherwise, yes - this would be a good size.

Hi, Thanks for the info about the size. I introduced the lone male into the cage with the young pair. He is preening thier feathers. He suggles up to them so cute and no arguements. They have been together for about 24 hours now.
We have 3" of snow today here in north Dallas. Now roads are getting icy.
Have a great one! :music:

Just a quick update on 3 parakeets in one cage. They are doing great! They preen each other and share toys. At night they "cuddle" on the peach. Does anyone know what the mating signs are? My older pair, Shelia and Blanco, are happy by themselves so I will keep Sly, Tuffs and Blu in the other cage for now. Have a great one! <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

It sounds like you've found the right solution to keep your birds happy.

Budgies don't normally mate unless they have a nestbox to use & even then, they often need the stimulation of other mating pairs to get the idea. When I used to breed them, I would set up 3 pairs at a time in a large cage with 4 or 5 nestboxes. In the wild, they nest in colonies.

Parakeet update. All is well with my 5 in two cages. Went to local pet center to get chewies for the dog and Oh my there were 2 parakeets up for adoption cage and all! Well needless to say home they came. Put them in my birdie carrier and scrubed the cage. It was nasty. Put them back in their cage. Hung them in the window between the other 2 cages and so they can see the outside feeder.
7 parakeets screaming at one time! What a delightful noise!
I have to go to the bird show this weekend to look for a rectangle cage. The newbies are in a round on and only one place to hang swings/mirror or playthings for them to play with.

Sure sounds like fun - but you didn't quarantine the new birds?

Didn't know I had to! They came with a vet's certificate of health. If and that is a big "if" we get more, should I and for how long?

New birds should be quarantined for a minimum of a month, but 45 - 60 days is better. That certificate of health would mean that they would replace those 2 birds if they died, but if they infected your other birds, you would be out of luck. The quarantine also protects the new birds as a move is stressful for them and they could catch something from your other birds (even though they aren't sick - they could carry something).