chirpy

He's doing great! Its a fabulous feeling when those tiny litt;e budgie feet cling fearless to your finger, and you can feel the delicate weight of those miniscule little feathered bodies. Nice one! Anne

Dooley, Ive moved this topic to breeding tips for you, as its breeding related, and hopefully you will get a more specialised response in here . By the way, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!!!!!!! Anne

I know nothing about breeding, but I would suggest ether lowereing the nest box or putting plenty of bird-safe padding underneath in case there's a repeat performance. Watch him closely, if the parents ARE fed up of him, the may start plucking and attacking him, and he's far too tiny to cope with that. Anne

Hi, and first of all, a warm welcome to the family Poor little Joey, eh? sounds a bit under the weather to me. As trikivix said, what are his poops like, and does he look fluffed up? Its possible that a bit of shock has set in due to his new circumstances, and also, if he's very young, he could just be a bit worn out with his new lifestyle. Do you cover him up at night? I like my birds to get at least 10 -12 hours of darkness and quiet every night, and if its a baby, or a poorly bird, then at least 12-14 hours quiet and dimness (recuperation time). Are you using any airfresheners, scented candles, shake and vac, febreze etc? These things unfortunately can play riot with a birds respiratory system, and soon make it quite ill. I'll advise you as I always advise anyone who has concerns over their bird, get him checked out by an avian vet as soon as possible. Its worth getting him wormed and checked for feathermites too while you're there. In the meantime, keep him quiet and rested. Please let us know how he goes on? Anne oh, and your post is fine here, as it is a health concern matter, so its in the perfect place.

If she's been struggling for any length of time (to me, thats overnight, more than long enough to be left in pain and unchecked) then deffinately she needs a vet. I personally find it inhumane just to let things carry on, and I think she should be treated ASAP. Saw your pictures in the other post, lovely, lovely birds! But please, get this poor creature to a vet, today if possible. Anne

Very off topic to the case, but, you have a right to know. Gillion, there are no warnings :bluebudgie:

Just an idea Hath if yuove not already done it, get the papers on the case. Unfortunately, this sort of story sell papers, BUT, as my friend said when I told her, the more people know about the case, the more chance there is of catching the culprits. Even the local news (tv) should be informed. Dont let it rest. Who knows, there is the slightest chance that some of your 'Freed' flock could be recovered from the publicity. I have to give credit to my friend rhonda for this idea, but I think she has it right. Warmth and blessings dear friend and fellow bird lover, Anne

Oh my God Hath, words desert me. All I can say is if you are willing to accept donations to help you get back on track, the first one is here and waiting. Im too stunned for you to even comment on whats happened, my head has just locked straight into practical mode *Lets help this guy out here* Other than that, I cant even think straight with shock for you. I am so, so sorry. Deepest sympathy and prayers winging towards you and yours. Anne.

Just another quick point Lady, the 'over-the-counter' mite sprays really arnt (in my oppinion) worth buying, the only mite treatment worth its salt is the veterinary one. Also, using any form of aerosol round a bird is not advisable (again, IMO) Thankyou for caring enough to seek help and guidance for your friends bird, if they on the net, why not invite them along to join this happy family? Anne

Im not really sure about this one. A bird reacts badly to airfresheners and such things NOT because it can SMELL them, but simply because the fumes and chemicals play havoc with their respiratory systems. (like us, with carbon monoxide poisonong, we cant smell it at all, but it can still kill us) I kow with Teapot, if ive had a strong curry the night before, he will fight beak and claw to get his pesky featherd head inside my mouth (he ADORES curry) and that tells me he can smell the curry breath (eeek! I actually STINK?????) (Laughing out loud)! If i find anything deffinate on this subject, i'll post it for you. Anne

Hi Lady, have moved this topic to the health section, as it is not a genetic or mutation quiery. Here it is more likely to pull in more helpful responses for you. Cheers, Anne

it looks to me like the other budgies in petstore have been plucking this little one. It will take time for the feathers to grow back, but so long as feather follicles havent been damaged, there shouldnt be a proble. It is also possible that birdie has been plucking itself, mites and irritation could cause this to happen. Personally, I always make a point of getting any feathered newcomer to my group treated by the vet for feathermite, and also a general check-up, can save a lot of distress and expense further down the line Just one more point, to me, that wing clip looks too severe, a severe clip can cause a bird to self mutilate. Please advise your friend that too severe a clip can actually lead to serious injury, and even the death of the budgie, as a heavy fall can easily snap the birds keel bone, causing death in most cases. This bird will need to be closely monitored to be sure that it dosent try to fly from to great a height, or it could have a very nasty landing. (not jumping on you/your friend over this, but its worth bearing in mind. Also, another guideline to clipping, never clip only one wing, as a bird trying to fly and negotiate 'steering and balance' with one clipped wing is akin to us trying to jog an a high heeled stilletto and a trainer on the other foot Not easy! Vet is best to be honest when it comes to trimming flight feathers, especially if its a novice bird owner. (unclipped, generally, is better still ) okay, I think Ive covered the clipping bit, *no beatings up on this poster please guys!* Let us know how the bird goes on please, it will be interesting to know if its something other than 'bully-plucking' Thanks, Anne

please, do NOT apply petroleum jelly to your bird! it is NOT(in my honest oppinion) a good thing to use under any circumstances. The problem with applying antibiotic to seed is that most of it gets wasted through the hulling of the seed, BUT, .1 ml is a reasonably high dose, so that may be to help conpensate for the waste. A pro-biotic wouldnt go amiss, as anti biotic, whilst good for clearing up none viral infection, can play havoc with a birds stomach floras, and a pro-biotic used side by side with antibiotic counteracts these side affects. its not a lot of help, but hopefully a bit. Also, your vet can always RING an avian vet for guidance during consultation if he/she is unsure what to do. Good luck! And dont give up! Push your vet! Anne

Hi! Ive got 3 budgies, and one of them will never be a handtame bird, not ever. She is approachable, but does NOT want to be touched or held. At first, I used to dream that one day I could hold and caress her sweet little budgie body, but now, her aloofness is the most appealing thing about her. Just her presence is enough, and the slight distance she keeps from humans just adds to her beauty and wonder, that little bit of wildness that she has happily kept sets her apart from the tamer two in a very special way. She is my 'TRUE' bird, the one that has never in the slightest become humanised. She is a bird, through and through. I wouldnt change this about her for the world. Your bird may tame in the end, but if not, you will never be short of awe and pride and inspiration at his birdly beauty. Anne

As above. Birds have extremely fragile respiratory systems, so the further from the fumes, the better. Anne

No probs Bea, youre very welcome

*When swallowed, tinsel can cause digestive upsets and intestinal blockage, it may be best to avoid it altogether). Some advice I found searching on this topic Anne

xx Anne

(Laughing out loud) devvle, here's a good view from a total outsider who im chatting with on IM okay, read the thread... I think your point came across fine! but... here's a thought. the breeder I know (dog) only sells to people that qualify. He doesnt breed without a waiting list... now if this person did their budgie breeding that way, with a contract stating that all budgies have to come back to them... Rhonda says: how would you feel? Im Chirpy..Fly me!!! says: I think she is heading in that direction to be honest rhon, she's deffinately not taking it lightly. Do you miond if I take your point of the 'waiting list' to the board?? I WISH you'd join! Rhonda says: (Laughing out loud)... I don't mind at all... ______________________________________ I like her points actually ;o)

Im off again, (Laughing out loud)! I dont really think for a minute you will be taking away homes from birds who need rescue, I dont believe it works like that. What I do worry about is that hte 'lovely' homes the chicks may go to MAY create a bird in need of rescue, if you follow me. Devvle, you may breed the luckiest, most loved little birds, if you choose this path, then I pray that is the way it will be. I cant tell you what to do, I wouldnt dream of forcing MY views onto somebody else, we fought hard for freedom of choice, all I can say, as ive said already, think carefully, and dont get carried away. Be responsible for the innocent little lives. Im sure that if anyone would, you would, with the best of intentions. Allow yourself lots of thinking space and time Anne

Just got to add this point also. If there isnt a rescue even near you, and all of a sudden everyone around yuo starts breeding, how long do you think it will be before a rescue is needed? And WHEN the rescue is needed, how will you feel? One of the babies you bred MAY be in there one day. THATS what stops me. Im glad you are seeking answers, but the chice can only be yours at the end of the day. again, its simply my oppinion given in friendship Anne.

You obviously arnt comfortable, otherwise there'd be no need for this post, eh? My totally honest view is, why add to a problem of overload? Im not a 'breeder hater', but im a rescue 'doer'. The way I see it, unless you are a highly trained avian specialist, and you are trying to breed birds that are close to extinction, then why do it. I know I am partaking in a breeders forum everytime I log in here, but when I see birds like Albert, left to die a horrible death because of ignorance before puchase etc, then it drums into my head even more the need to try and educate the people who own the birds that are already here, rather than add more birds for more ignorant people to buy. Its very much two-way ground, and Im extremely respectful of Adams forum, a breeders forum, so I mean no harm or disrespect to anyone, I hope everyone realises that. This is just my personal oppinion. I myself have ached and dreamed about breeding budgies, watching them develop from a tiny egg, into the beautiful little bird we all know and love. THEN i walk into a store, and see 30 or 40 babies crammed in a cage, and no-one truly cares what happens to them, least of all the store selling them, so long as the money comes in. Would *I* ever buy a baby bird from a store or a breeder knowing there are thousands out there desperate for a good home? I hope not, but I truly cant say I wouldnt. I am human. So, I just might be tempted. I see where yuo are coming from, and I do realise that people breed because they love the birds so much, they want to add more. BUT, there is a huge problem. Too easily obtained, too easilly 'disposed' of. If something at the back of your mind is causing you concern, then look deeply into that before you go any further. No beating up meant by this reply, just a view of a 'rescuer' who struggles with the want of, and the love of baby birds herself. THEN, I look at Snowy (rescue) Queenie (rescue rose breasted cockatoo) and of course, Albert. All once unwanted, uncared about. All 'surplus stock'. My honest oppinion, given in friendship. Anne

The dangerslurk everywhere, its frightening how things can go badly wrong. teapot isnt limping at all now and his saying of the day is ''kiss me budgie bumbum'' I think its directed at me for hurting him. Anne

He's acting totally normal now thanks he is limping a bit when walking sometimes, but otherwise is back to happy, cheeky, RUDE teapot Anne

Last night as i was tying a message to someone, Teapot was being his normal awkward little self and getting under my fingers as I typed. Next thing, he was screaming His toe had got tightly wedged between the keys. I finally managed to free him, but he has a very sore bruised toe. I really thought it was broken, and the sick feeling of guilt is still haunting me today. Thankfully, his toe IS just very bruised the vet thinks, and it will be okay in a few days. So please, think twice before letting yuor budgie hop around on your keypad. A budgie screaming in fright and pain..., well, its just something you do NOT want to witness. Anne