Crystal

That is so interesting! We always assumed they got plenty of sun because half the courtyard roof is clear fibreglass, but the article says the right kind of rays can't penetrate through it! I think I'll get them out into the sun, even if it is not the cause, it is bound to help them.

That is possible. See I did go to two different vets, the first (who saw the male bird) was not very interested in doing surgery on birds (you know the sort!) so I went to another vet. I am wondering if the first vet misdiagnosed a hernia as a tumour. I just think it would be bizarre if both these conditions are suddenly cropping up. The aviaries are kept in a semi-open, courtyard area that leads into the back yard. They have covered roofs. I might have to pile them all into a cage and take all the sick ones for him to look at to find out what is really happening.

The vets did not seem to think too much of the original conditions. I am going to go talk to Peter Gardiner, who is a great bird vet and the vet who did the surgery, about the cluster. I was told that both hernias and tumours can be common, but that was before they all started having them. Some of the birds are related, yes, but the sick ones are not all related. They are in two groups in two aviaries and both lots of birds are showing sickness. The ones we have bred are not in-bred or anything like that. Their food is millet with some vitamin grit and they have fresh green grass etc sometimes. The vet did tell me with the hernia that I am only to feed her on pure millet as fat can make herninas worse. She has since recovered and is healthy again.

My name is Crystal and I am a new member with 25 budgies. Me and my mum have been focussing on breeding purples and rainbows, but we love them all. I am 26 and live in Queensland, Australia. I will try and upload some photos soon. I also have peach faces and cockatiels who are lovely birds!

Me and my mum have had budgies for decades and we are experiencing something new and very scary. About three months ago, an adult male of about 5 years had a growth. We took him to the vet who said there was not much hope as it was a stomach tumour and he soon died. Then, about a month ago, a adult female who is about 3 years old, developed a swelling. We took her to the vet who said it was a hernia and we got it fixed at a cost of $400. Now, several of the budgies are getting these tumours/hernias! More and more of them are popping up with these bulges. I am beside myself. What could be causing them all to be like this? They are kept in the same conditions and eating the same diet they always have. I'm worried because it looks like we might either have to fork out thousands of dollars or have our budgies die. What on earth could cause a sudden cluster like this??? We do live across the road from a electricity sub-station, I hope it is not something to do with the EMFs? Has anyone else had this happen to them? Thank you!