Sian & Charlie Chicken
Charlie Chicken (in the photo above) was bought as a baby from a local breeder in 2022. As the months went on, following a mass of research and testing, it was confirmed that Charlie has an uncurable avian virus (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease - aka PBFD) that causes feather deformities, loss and has a profoundly negative impact on his immune system.
During this time, it also became clear that there is a massive lack of accurate, reliable and accessible information to help people learn about good budgie healthcare and the environments that help them to thrive.
To add to this, there seemed to be a lack of budgie rescue provision, for people who find themselves needing a rehoming option.
Sian set up Charlie’s Place UK in 2023, inspired by (and named after) Charlie Chicken, who stars in the CPUK logo, to do her bit in bettering the lives of budgies and their guardians.
After an initial settling period (this period of 3-4 weeks allowing them to be treated for any health concerns and get used to the new sounds and smells) all budgies who are welcomed to CPUK get to enjoy a large, custom built (thank you, AviFabs!) aluminium heated outdoor aviary.
Covered with 10mm twin-wall polycarbonate, with an insulated area, lots of (regularly refreshed) environmental enrichment, it’s heated in Winter/colder spells (for the humans’ peace of mind, more than the birds)
Our main aviary is 13ft long x 8ft tall x 7ft deep, and we have an indoor bird-room, specifically adapted to cater for budgies who can’t fly. Along with a hospital/emergency area, and a huge ion-free HEPA air purifier, there is a double stacked set of Critter Nation cages, which are 182cm wide. Yep, they are rodent cages…their horizontal bars, with 1cm bar spacing, is perfect for climbing, and they’re much wider than they are tall, which is ideal. We’re yet to find a bird specific cage on the market that provides these features. There are lots of ladders and easy-to-climb toys. This aviary has more insulation and additional heating, too, for budgies who have lost most of their feathers (usually due to FM or PBFD).
DID YOU KNOW?
If budgies have been outdoors in the UK from the Springtime, they acclimatise to the weather, so the cold doesn’t bother them - it’s gusts and blustery weather that can be dangerous!
Our aviary and bird room
Our outdoor aviary, custom made by AviFabs, with heating and LOTS of enrichment!
Our indoor bird room for the flight-challenged flock.
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