renee

Hi Liv, just read your post. I too would think of a dietary imbalance more than anything. I would reduce her intake to 50mls a day, that is plenty. In Rob Marshall's latest book he talks about wet nests, p309: "Wet nest problems may occur when nestlings are between 10-15 days of age as a result of mineral salt (electrolyte) imbalances occuring in their parents. An electrolyte imbalance, which induces an excessive thirst, is created when mineral salts are not provided in sufficient quantities after the transition from crop milk to whole seed feeding. The resulting thirst causes parents to feed too much water to their young so that within a few hours the entire clutch is producing watery droppings that quickly creates a wet nest." In effect the parents will tire of feeding the young, the chicks then have stunted growth and the wet nest is a fertile breeding ground for bacterial growth. A dry nest is a healthy nest! I provide Murphy's Minerals and FVite in small cups.

No, as in you do not want to try and breed with birds that are not 100%.

Does she have a choice of mates? No, she is not 100% and it would be unwise to try and breed her when her crop is not normal.

I have a budgie who has a crop issue. I picked her out in the aviary because she looked a bit different than normal. When I felt her I could feel her keel bone so she has lost condition recently. What really baffled me is that her crop seemed swollen and squidgy to touch. Other than that she is alert and active - not fluffed up or lethargic in any way. Her feathers are fine around the cere and beak and vent, no fouling or indication of vomiting or sinus issues. Her breath is fine, no smelliness. Has anyone come across this and if so what was it and what did you do?

My hubby feeds ours - the logic being it is so full of prime steak it doesn't have room for fat little budgies. :thanks:

I really like this boy, he's the kind of style of bird I admire and of course he's a greywing- added bonus!

Hello Gaza! Good to see you here After your recent acquisitions last Saturday it would be fair to add Spangles to your breeding specialities

Oh thank goodness I don't breed Lacewings! The thought of that bird at auction is more than I can bear!!!!

As I learnt to my peril earlier in the year: pair up and put your birds down when they are ready and raring to go, NOT according to your own schedule! Mainly I find the cold snaps only a potential problem when the chicks are newly hatched, up to about 1 week old, and then I stress when it's less than about 7C .... so I run a heater just to be safe. For my part I keep track of hatchings and watch the forecast VERY carefully, and I always allow a margin of 1 or 2 degrees. Happy Breeding!

Hey Matt, sorry to hear about the massacre Please don't throw in the towel. I know that following a major set back the initial reaction is to say 'this is too hard I don't want to deal with this kind of set back again'. Unfortunately breeding budgies is NOT for the fainthearted. Having said that I know many a person who has given up only to miss it so badly that they are back soon enough. Maybe you have garage space available? Or the alternative provided by GB above is also a possibility. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

So what was the diagnosis?

Thank you for sharing these pairings!

okay, this a bit of a mystery and I share your concern that it may be contagious. Put your dead bird into a plastic container or plastic bag and pop her into the fridge (NOT freezer). This will keep her fresh and buy you time to find a vet that will do an autopsy. Ring around and find one that will do it. Usually they are not expensive, maybe $40 tops.

Don't worry they grow back quick enough! Some people trim with siscors, I pull them - one, two, three and it's done! A couple of squarks but it's quick and although not exactly painless it works for me. :question:

I'm SO enjoying this topic/post - love it, love it, love it!

Nice, nice birds! I'm looking forward to seeing your Fallow, Lacewing and Clearwing pairings!

My birds get it as treat - whenever it's on special or when they haven't had it for a while. But at least once a month. :thankyou:

Very wise advice from Kaz. Guys if you want to treat your budgies there are plenty of healthy alternatives. Corn on the cob is a real favourite or fruit sticks ...

I too would stay away from the pet store ones. Daz has designed some lovely ones and he can make and flat-pack to you if you're not handy (or are just feeling lazy!)

Although I think there may be a genetic link. I have a cock bird with a 100% incidence of chicks with splayed legs. Different nest boxes, different hens. At 4 days the chicks look awesome but the legs just don't develop and turn spindly and red. By day 10 they are out at right angles to the body. I'm giving him to another breeder to trial and if gets the same results I'll take him back and use him as a foster, he's a terrific feeder.

Keep at it ... can't help on the possible blockage as they are so tiny at that age .... but keep feeding it and cross your fingers.

But mega is usually a secondary infection .... I'm more interested in what you said about possible glass in the aviary floor .... did I read right? Yes, budgies chew on everything and if there's a chance of one or more ingesting crushed glass that would explain the gagging and also watery poos as it would mess up the gizzard and watery poos/bloody poos would ensue .... Have you seen her eat well?

No, no, no I didn't mean post a photo I just meant that if you're not there you can't really tell.

Exactly! Hard and fast diagnosis without a visual is too tricky 'cause it could be several things... But any way good luck sorting it out. :hmm:

It's really hard to tell when you're not there. :hmm: The gagging would suggest Canker .... but I wouldn't want to bet on it. Have you tried talking to the vet about it? Maybe book in a consult asap? What's the weather been like lately? It's been wet and windy over here so last week I gave my lot 5 days of Triple C, they had been looking a bit mopey but now they're their usual chirpy selves.