Hey all, I have got a new budgie, just a minute ago she was in her water cup, once she got out her stomach was wet, I noticed that there is a line of bareness with no feathers just skin, in the middle of her stomach. It is not that big, but what also worries me is she is not really preening her self as she did this she is just sitting. She is somewhat wet. I was thinking of gettting her myself and drying her off to prevent a cold or something. Right now it is pretty hot so I thought she would be okay for a second being wet. I covered her cage halfway for now. What should I do?

when mine get wet at first they don't preen, let the feather dry and then take a look being hot she will be okay.

okay that is good to hear. I think I just over reacted when I saw the bare line in the middle of her stomach. And I didnt want to leave her wet because I didnt want any illness to occur. For the most part she is dry and the line is gone, and feathers are covering it. Except towards the bottom is a little wet.

 

Also does anyone have a picture of a budgies with its wings clipped? For some reason I think the person cut them wrong. It looks like they cut them too far, but I guess I would be seeing some type of behavior that would indicate that her wings hurt of something. So I think it is okay

Sounds normal to me. Here's a picture of Buster and Fez (they're both clipped).

What I think happend was he might have cut too many of the feathers. She seems to be doing fine so I wont worry about it, and just wait for them to grow back. Thanks for the picture you have two really nice budgies.

Thanks, I like them Not the best picture but it showed their wings. It sounds like the person who did their wings clipped a little too much! I do Buster's myself (Fez is too new but I'll probably clip his too).

that bare patch on their chest is normal for all birds. They have strategically placed bare patches of skins to cut down on the weight they are carrying for flying.

 

If you bird lets you hold it, you can try to count how many primary wing feathers have been trimmed. A full trim consist of seven primary feathers on both wings.

Yeah I need to learn how to clip wings, but I get too nervous I will do it wrong. I just need to watch some more people do it before I attempt. Yeah she lets me hold her, she will stand on my shoulder too, she will occasionall bite when I pick her up. I really havent tried to touch her much, because she is still adjusting to her new home. But maybe a little later I can take her out for 5 minutes or so, and check really quick.

okay that is good to hear. I think I just over reacted when I saw the bare line in the middle of her stomach. And I didnt want to leave her wet because I didnt want any illness to occur. For the most part she is dry and the line is gone, and feathers are covering it. Except towards the bottom is a little wet.

 

Also does anyone have a picture of a budgies with its wings clipped? For some reason I think the person cut them wrong. It looks like they cut them too far, but I guess I would be seeing some type of behavior that would indicate that her wings hurt of something. So I think it is okay

 

Why do you think they were trimmed wrong? A wing has 10 primary flights and 10 secondary flights. The primaries are the long ones, secondaries occur after the bend in the wing. The secondaries should never, ever be cut. To illustrate:

 

Most pet stores and even some vets will trim 7-10 flights. That really is too many in my opinion, as it usually only takes 4 or 5 to reduce lift. The primaries provide lift and steering capabilities, whereas the secondaries provide stability and braking. Hence the reason to never cut the secondaries. Just because you can't see the long feathers in a clipped bird when the wing is held normally against the body doesn't mean the trim is wrong, especially if there are only a few feathers gone. The shorter ones just cover where they would be, were they there.

 

As far as the line in the stomach, if it looks like this it is normal. It just marks the area where the breast muscles come together.

I thought the wings were cut wrong because it seemed the guy cut too many of the feathers, but I guess if that was the case she would fall to the floor like a rock. The line it wasnt like that. I have never seen it before. She was wet and some of th feathers parted because of that, and there was a spot where there were no feathers, and you could just see her skin. I dont think it was anything to worry about though, she will probably grow them back, and you cant see it anymore.

the feather(or lack of) is normal, it's what hens use to brood on eggs and also where the two sides of the breast muscles come together as Rainbow said.

Yeah she is fine now. I just overreacted thank you