Hi This is my first post although I have been reading the forums here for a while. My beautiful budgie Joey has had a rough life so far, but his behaviour has changed, so I wondered if anyone had any suggestions or advice.

 

Joey is 9 months old and when he first came to live with us as a baby was very poorly having lots of fits. He was diagnosed as epileptic and really had awful fits where he would just pass out fall to the floor and fit. With daily medication he got a lot better and after several months the vet advised reducing the medication as it causes liver damage. Joey has been medication and fit free for several months now and has been very happy, flying around singing, chatting and spending time with both me and my husband .

 

However in the last few weeks he hasn't been himself. In his cage he is happy and chatty, but now seems far less willing to come out and has almost stopped flying, not because he is lazy... he is scared ( I am sure). When he does fly, he loses control and almost can't stop his wings flapping so flys round and round unable to stop occasionally hitting the wall, or crash lands on his cage, holds on tight and his wings flap like mad. The only way to stop this is to distract him with millet or a bit of fruit, or pick him up from the floor and pop him home. He is always very shaky afterwards and gets straight back in his cage and onto his swing, which is his favourite place. It seems as if he is almost fitting when he gets excited by flying, but doesn't pass out just loses control of his flapping wings. If we can calm him down by distracting him and gently speaking to him he recovers and goes back to his normal self.

 

It makes me sad he can't fly without getting upset as he loved being out and sitting on the curtain pole and investigating the room.. now he even calls for me to help him down from the top of his cage onto my hand rather than flying over to me.

 

Has anybody ever heard of this, or have any advice? He seems happy to be in his cage, but I miss him being out and about.

 

Thanks

Liz

Edited October 10, 200618 yr by joeys mum

About the seizures first they can be also caused from being exposed to exposed metal or rust. Not saying that you have any on the cage or around where is walks but budgies are like babies they love to put anything in their mouth but veggies ((Laughing out loud)). So that is something to consider.

 

As for the flying did he fly okay before around the house? Or are you just starting to let him fly around?

About the seizures first they can be also caused from being exposed to exposed metal or rust. Not saying that you have any on the cage or around where is walks but budgies are like babies they love to put anything in their mouth but veggies ((Laughing out loud)). So that is something to consider.

 

As for the flying did he fly okay before around the house? Or are you just starting to let him fly around?

 

 

Hi thanks for this, there are 2 very small sopts on Joeys cage where he has chewed the plastic coveing off, so I will get a new cage just incase that is contributing to his problems. He had his first fit the day he came to us and at that point hadn't been exposed to any metal, so I don't think that is it, but better be safe.

 

He has never been the most graceful budgie when flying, but he has been out and about in the room for a long time now. From as soon as he was settled and happy and would step up, he has had time out every day so was used to flying and exploring the room a lot.

 

Thinking about it he seems to have gradually lost his nerve he has gone from happily flying around to this. The first time I noticed him get upset was when we changed the curtains. His favourite spot was the curtain pole, but as soon as we changed the curtains he wouldn't go near and I think that was the first time he got scared and out of control with his flying.

 

He did have a while when he would still fly well just not near the curtains, but if he forgot and tried to land on the curtain pole he would then get scared and lose control of himself. Now he can't go anywhere in the room without losing it.

 

Thanks for the metal advice.. I can't see any in the room except the spot on his cage, but I will sort that out.

I think you solved the issue with WHY he is flying out of control. You can help him learn that this spot is still a fun place to sit if you want him there. By having him step up and showing him this spot while giving him his favorite treat. Letting him out daily will really help with the flying getting under control. You may want to let him out in a smaller room at first and the graduate back to the bigger rooms.

This may be more than that though. I think that perhaps you should talk to an avian vet or behaviourist about this as he may have some sort of anxiety.