[hi , iam new to this site

my one year old blue budgie (cheeky) has been fine until now

his front feathers are becoming pale and losing color

he eats well , is active flying around etc

i am not sure whether he has lice or perhaps a diet defeciency.

he eat trill bird seed and grit , the occasional bite of cutlefish bone and likes

millet sprays occasionally.

 

does anyone have any idea what might be wrong?

thanks :

Edited April 10, 200718 yr by mrogermorris

Welcome to our forum :ausb:

Your budgie may be moulting which can change feather colour. Do you have any photos ?

Welcome aboard as Kaz said if you have a picture that would really help of your budgie.

does anyone have any idea what might be wrong?

thanks :

Edited April 11, 200718 yr by Kaz

your bird looks to have very poor feathers and that is usually related to a nutritional deficiency. Even if your bird is molting it can be due to poor nutrition and this is when you need to bump up a good diet. What do you feel your bird on a daily basis?

 

also just a note and I am sure this is debatable but grit is not necessary for a budgies diet (some give it on a less frequent occasion) but budgies do hull their seed. I personally don't give mine grit.

 

Here is good advice on a diet from our FAQ's http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/faqs/i...id=2&artlang=en

Edited April 11, 200718 yr by Elly

your bird looks to have very poor feathers and that is usually related to a nutritional deficiency. Even if your bird is molting it can be due to poor nutrition and this is when you need to bump up a good diet. What do you feel your bird on a daily basis?

 

also just a note and I am sure this is debatable but grit is not necessary for a budgies diet (some give it on a less frequent occasion) but budgies do hull their seed. I personally don't give mine grit.

 

Here is good advice on a diet from our FAQ's http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/faqs/i...id=2&artlang=en

 

 

from roger:daily he gets trill bird seed + cuttlefish bone in cage

 

weekends he likes millett spray one/day

and some egg yolk , parsley or lettuce

 

thanks kaz and elly!

I would work on adding more to his diet like veggies, fruits, pellets on a daily basis along with what you are giving him. Poor nutrition can also not only cause poor feathers which is one of the first signs but other health problems too. Check out the FAQ under Food and there is a lot there about introducing new foods, pellets, veggies and more...

I would take your little Cheeky to the vet, I think what you are seeing is the down feathers that are usually under the out coloured feathers. He might be chewing/plucking himself while grooming or as the others have said a nutritional deficiency.

I agree with Nerwen, from the picture your bird looks healthy, I think he’s chewing his own feathers, probably because he is kept by himself & gets bored, you could give him things to play with, but sadly once they start habits like that it’s often very hard to break them of it.

great advice because if he is chewing is feathers I have read that most of the time budgies don't pluck because of behavior but because of possible illness BUT it could be behavioral. The avian vet would be the best course as Nerwen said

thanks all , for your advice

he flies , he talks , he's not bored

i am feeding him pelletts , carrots , iodine bell and a calcium bell

he has just recently decided he wants to watch dvd's with us!

unfortunately he wants people food , rather than his own .

i believe he is not plucking his feathers , may be part of a moult

but will keep you all posted

thanks again for your help , cheeky thanks you!

Good luck to you, great how he watches DVDs with your family! Keep up with the good food and are you misting him periodically if he doesn't bathe on his own? :greenb:

allergic to water!

cheeky rarely has a bath , i have tried using a spray bottle , with lukewarm water

but as soon as he sees it he's off! i will try to get him used to it slowly

after all who wants a bird , that's ready to bite you! he's been prety good lately.

i think he realizes he'll get more food if he does'nt bite!

thanks for everyones help! :beer:

Took Cheeky to the Vet Today , Not Talking .Not Flying Properly and is Unwell

The Diagnosis ! Needs Antibiotics (Penacillin)

Needs to stay in Hospital for 5 Days

Has Been Feather Plucking

is Not Gaining Weight (although He Eats Well)

Could Have some sort of Parasite?

 

The Damage Cost of up to $250

 

But He"s Worth every Cent!

If He Survives

Cheeky!

 

 

I'll cross my fingers for him!

 

I had to take Paris to the vet today as well. He had blood on his perch and I thought he had pulled out a nail or something, but I couldn't see anything. He's okay though, just a fissure between his toes, so phew!

 

He looks a lot like Cheeky.

keep us updated glad you were able to get him to the avian vet and they can help him out.