chirpy

I cant advise you on the raising of a very young chick, but you certainly did the right thing in removing him from the danger. Read this link to see what can happen as a result of attack by other budgies http://www.daves-forums.co.uk/bbc/index.ph...wtopic=2445&hl= Im sure someone will come in and help you regards hand rearing. Good luck! Anne

One point I would like to put in here, an example of what a bad clip can do, My newby, Albert, his wings are terribly hacked, no flying ability at all. Now, on top of the fact the he was being ritually savaged by the other budgies, he was unable to fly around the cage to even try and escape. In his efforts to escape, he simply plummeted down the cage, most likely bouncing off perch after perch, before hitting the floor, bloodies from the attacks, and badly bruised and winded from the fall. This must have happened to the poor little guy time after time after time. The severe bruising to his wings, feet, stomach and chest were the things that pushed him so close to death, even more than the bites and rips in his skin. Yes, Albert will most likely become the tamest, sweetest, easiest to handle little budgie, but, oh my god, what a price he has payed. This is a clear example of a wing 'hack' as apposed to a trim, where the bird still retains its ability to fly, but is just slightly limited regarding speed and ascent. Im not even keen on the trim, but 'hacking' makes me feel physically cold and sick when I see it. The ultimate cruelty.

If you really feel that you HAVE to have your budgies wings clipped (personally i hate the practice as it is so often very badly done) Make sure you get a professional person to do it (vet is best) NEVER have your budgies wings hacked to the point that it cannot fly at all. The bird should retain some flying ability. Badly clipped wings can so often lead to broken keel bones, broken legs, and death. Please DO NOT cripple your budgie of all its flight.

Bea, isnt their anyone else who could take Blinkie for you, and let your friend have the other budgies to care for? You really dont sound convinced this is the best holiday home for blinkie, Id think hard over where else he could go. Even if its somewhere where they still wont have a lot of playtime with him, but do not have any small children running around might be better. Truthfully, I dont think you will 'de-stress' leaving Blinkie with this friend (even though he will probably be fine) Id check out my other friends, family, and neighbours to be honest. Good look, Anne.

Thankyou everyone for understanding where Im coming from xx Sky, whenever I get asked for a contact address of a rescue, I could squeal with delight!!! Try these two http://www.safehavenparrotrefuge.co.uk/pages/home.html and http://www.parrot-rescue.co.uk/ any problems, let me know. I know both the rescues well! Anne

Its extremely common for a budgie to be 'cage clingy', especially in the early days. Its his security you see, his safe haven, protects him from all the terrible monsters in the outside world! (out furniture, our ornaments, US) I wouldnt try getting him out, not just yet, but whenever you put your hand in, do it slowly, and have his favourite treat in it (usually a bit of millet) If he stays still on his perch, just slowly move your hand close enuough so if he wants to, he can reach the tempting treat. If he flutters away, keep your hand very still while he's fluttering, dont move it at all. When he becomes still, then slowy remove your hand and let him settle again. It can take quite a while, but, usually, slow and patient will win the birds trust, and curiosity. Anne

Its very difficult to say without actually seeing it. When you say 'dry and ruffled at the top' do you mean on the cere, or the top of the actual beak, where it meets the cere? Budgies beaks can get a bit of a roughish appearance, theyre not always supersmooth and shiny, but a real noticeable change could be due to mites, or a beak parasite. These are very easily cured, and it shouldnt cost more than a few pounds at you vet. (he will put a few drops on the birds head, it absorbs into skin and bloodstream, and hey presto miteless!) Somethimes, being realistic, two or three treatments are needed, but theres no discomfort for the bird, and its not a costly treatment.

Rainbow, thankyou for the pin. It IS vitally important people are kept aware, thankyou from my heart. If more explicit news comes forth, I will C/P straight away. Gratitude, Anne xx

Thankyou mistymoo, and thankyou for the kind offer of a donation trikkivix, but the last I heard he wasnt taking anymore donations, but I can check for you. I will go see what the latest update on this subject is. Ive been waiting because until the full necropsy reports came through, it was too easy to get carried away with supposition. okay, if you click on the link, it will take you right to Sterdons rescue site. Once there, click on memorial for a full update. Also, it gives you an opportunity to see what this wonderful man does. http://allcapeparrotrescue.com/

NO budgie should hit the ground hard enough to cause that sort of damage to itself! If its wings are clipped, then for him to land so hard they must be hacked beyond all reason and safety. I do pray that your budgie survives this (although my serious concern is a shattered keelbone from the trauma of the fall). If the bird has landed so badly because of an attrocious clip, his flights MUST be allowed to grow again to a reasonable length. If you feel you want your birds wings clipping, then it is really a job for a very experience handler, or an avian vet. (A bad clip can kill your bird on its first heavy landing.) I really hope your poor bird makes it. Anne

My birds often sleep on two feet. I would only worry if there was a sudden and dramatic change in their sleeping habits, or even a less dramatic change accompanied by a change in consistency of poops, fluffing, and change in appetite. The two-feet sleeping alone, I wouldnt worry at all. (its like we humans, some sleep on theier backs, some on their sides, some belly down, some with butt in the air, (Laughing out loud)!) I dont believe theres any hard and fast rule as to two feet, or one foot. Anne.

Im really not sure about this one! My budgies havehad cabbage with no ill effects. Maybe its a case of too much and too often can give your bird the wild-sh*tes like too much lettuce does to a rabbit.

If, and I mean IF, they have a chance of some sort of quality in their little lives, then dont out them to sleep. It may prove costly keeping them alive and well, but, they didnt ask to be bred. Would you keep them yourself and raise them if they are able to live reasonably? You seem like you genuinely care, your care may well prove costly, or painful, but please, keep CARE in the front of your mind, above everything else. At the moment, those little darlings dont KNOW theyare 'different' so dont worry over that too much. It looks awful to us, BUT, its NORMAL to them. If you cant (and no offence here) afford to keep them going veterinary wise (thats if they CAN live with quality) then somehow, I will try and help, even if it means getting them over to the north west of england. Very sad, but MAYBE not devoid of hope. Blessings, Anne. ps my email addy is chirpy001@hotmail.com if you need to natter. I truly will do all I can to help. This is very sad, BUT, maybe NOT so sad in the little budgies eyes, given the right care and devotion. Dont give up, and dont let anyone force you into putting them to sleep if you really see that they are doing okay, and are not miserable. You will know, you will feed off them. Watch them closely, they will tell you. Anne xx

I can only second what Hommer has said, but please let us know how your little bird gets on and keep us updated? Very best wishes for a speedy recovery for your bird, Anne

I dont believe any bought ones are safe! You could try making your own oil burner solutions tho, perhaps with fresh ginger, grated lemon and orange rind? Boil them up and bottle the liquid and put some in your burner. I have heard that one of the most potentially harmful fresheners is Fabreze. Anne

Oh, how I wish that there could be a law forbidding thesale of animals in a store, as though they were nothing more than a dinner service, or a table lamp, or an ashtray. Cages are usually wayyy overcrowded, infection is often rampant because of lack of Q, and knowledge of the poor creatures is all to often practically nil. Maybe, one day....

Devvle, I will do what I always do when im faced with something i desperately want to give good advice on, but the situation is beyond me. I will go to a much trusted group of people, and comeback with whatever advice i can gain. Bear with me, these are GOOD people, and very learned. Anne

Firstly, deep condolances for your loss. It was a brave, selfless decision, but you put your bird first. warm hugs to you. Yes, I have heard of these tumours. My budgie is a sickly little guy, and showed all the symptoms, repeated moults, cere changing colour, weightloss etc. X-ray proved a negative result with the tumours, but yes, they are rather common. These tumours in such a tiny bird are usually inopperable, because the birds respiritory systom is so complext. The air sacs that they use to breather extend beyond their lungs, almost to the base of the tail, and into the beginings of their wings, so to cut away testicular tumours in most cases will cause bleeding into the airsacs, and ultimately, death. I believe the op has, very rarely been done successfully, but generally, success is extremely unlikely. I am so sorry you lost your dear bird, but really, there was no cure for him. You brought things to a peaceful, calm, humane close for your friend. Warmth and blessings, Anne.

very true and a great point claire! My little yellow devil cost me ?10 to buy (before i knew of the need for rescue homes) and it vets fees and upgrading to better cages, the bill has run into hundreds! Then theres a constant supply of bright new toys, repairs to damage (not a lot fortunately, (Laughing out loud)) and all sorts of hidden expenses that jump up and peck us on the purse! Would I go baack in time and not bother? Not on your life! Anne x

okay, so when we purchase, rescue, or however else we come by our pet budgies, I think it is vital to bear in mind that not all budgies want to be, or ever will be, cuddly toys. They may NEVER be the tame little feather bundles we have so set our hearts on. Before anyone goes out to obtain one of these unique and wonderful creatures, PLEASE ask yourself, ''Will I still love and care for this bird if it decides NEVER to be a cuddly, tame, handable little thing? Will I still want to give this caged, winged creature the best I can possibly give it for the rest of its life?'' If you have any doubts about this, then I would say think twice! Birds are extremely intelligent creatures, and in sooo many cases suffer neglect and abuse, oftentimes simply because the 'owner' has too high expectations of them. Yes, it IS a wonderful thing if you form a close, tight bond with your feathered creature, but if this creature decides never to become tame, you can still totally enjoy, and learn from the natural beauty of having a wild creature in your life. If you can enter in to a life which has birds in it, and be happy and content with the fact that NOT all birds will become tame, then you are guaranteed success and joy with this beautiful creature. Anne

Personally, I would take him straight to the vet. If you feel he is improving, then of course, its up to you. If you decide to keep him home, then be sure the room is quiet, pleasantly warm, dimly lit, and that three sides of your birds cage are covered with a soothing, dark cover. (cover top of cage aswel) The bird needs to be treated for shock, at the very least. Hopefully he will be fine, but if you are in any doubt, then please, VET. Warmth and prayers coming birdys way for a quick, and happy recovery. Anne.

Oh, the scary memories that brought back! An an excellent point to remind us of forgotten dangers. I had exactly the same thing happen to Teapot as a baby. I now place a tightly rolled up towel at the back/top of the radiators, so theres no way my birds can slide down the back of a heater again. Thankyou fpr bringing that to our attention, its a danger that can be quite easily overlooked! Anne

Am bringing this back up to the top again, as I feel it is too important to be missed. In answer to the Q, Sterdons daughter did eat a couple of the grapes, and WAS ill for a few hours, but, thank god is fine (aside from the devastation the loss off the beloved birds has has on the family) My advice is dont feed your pets, any pets, ANY chillean imports at the moment, if ever. There is quite a big investigation going on as to the type of, and level of pesticides used on theier fruit and veg at the moment, and it dosent appear to be the happiest news. Anne

I am so sorry that you and your family have suffered this loss despite all your tremendous efforts. The feelings of ' I should have done more' are common and normal in the early days of grief, even when (especially in this case) you couldnt possibly have done more. These feelings will ease as time goes by. God bless you for showing such devotion and care towards yur little bird. Much warmth, Anne.

Another c+p, and also a very good idea, am going to ring my own vet now. I didn't see anyone post this, even if it is common sense...I wanted to mention that in addition to cross posting on other boards: Contact your vet's so that they may post a sign in their offices to warn bird owners. Incase someone hadn't planned/thought of doing this. Again, I'm so sorry Sterling. I can't imagine...