Chico has lost all but about four of his flight feathers on each wing, and when I've looked at the end of the feathers he's lost, they've been frayed, like they've broken rather than fallen out. A couple of times when he had a flap in his cage (he's very clumsy) he got a wonky flight feather that stuck off in a random direction, which he then tugged out. I presume the others came out the same way.

 

He seems absolutely fine in himself, he's eating, drinking, singing, climbing, and flapping to the other side of his cage and back. He just looks like he's had a slightly odd wing clip. He's not quite ready to come out of his cage yet, so I've not really seen properly how his flight is affected. I don't know whether to be worried or not. I presume they'll just grow back at his first moult.

 

Has anybody had any experience of anything like this?

Yes. There is a bacterial infection in nestlings that can cause this problem. It is called called puplitis. The birds usually have their flight feathers in the nest and they drop out some time after fledging. Any new ones that grow in usually break off like you are describing.

 

QUOTE......

Pulpitis

This is an inflammation of the pulp of the growing feathers, especially the large ones of the wing and tail. Such diseased feathers may break off or be shed prematurely. Once shed the feather may not regrow. A significant proportion of the birds submitted with this disease had been sent in as "tail-less wonders". Pulpitis is believed to be a major cause of this condition. The cause of pulpitis is usually a bacterial infection,predominately Staphylococci or Streptococci although about 15% of cases are probably of viral origin. These germs are thought to live on the bird's skin but only cause problems when they invade the growing feathers. There is a strong correlation between this condition and markedly buff, suggesting there may be something inherent in buff feathers which makes them susceptible to this condition. There is also some evidence of vertical transmission.

 

While in theory, prolonged antibiotic treatment might cure the condition when a bacteria is the cause, this has not been tried. Repeated bathing of the birds in Virkon S seems to cure about 40% of cases. A few appear to recover spontaneously. At the present time there appears no way of predicting which birds will respond to treatment and which will not.

Oh... so he may well be like it forever. :budgiedance:

 

It might be a stupid question, but does it affect their health? I mean, other than their feathers. Or will it just mean that his flight capability is limited?

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion of it being a bacterial infection. There are some more common causes you might want to rule out first. How old is the budgie? Young birds are notoriously clumsy and often lose tail and flight feathers this way. Another very important thing to consider is diet. An inadequate diet can often cause feathers to be brittle and weak. What does you budgie eat on a daily basis?

Oh... so he may well be like it forever. :budgiedance:

 

It might be a stupid question, but does it affect their health? I mean, other than their feathers. Or will it just mean that his flight capability is limited?

As I said QUOTE "can cause this problem".......

I have had baby budgies with this problem and 2 of them didnt regrow their flights and one of them has regrown their flights. The one that has regrown the flights to a degree (some still shed and some still break off) get around the aviary fine....flying and climbing. But does not at any time have all the flight feathers in and strong. It doesnt affect it's health in any way at all other than weak and shedding feathers. I will post pictures for you later if you like. Cheers karen

I think the best thing you can do is take your bird to an avian vet to diagnosis what he or she may have that would be best. We can only guess :budgiedance:.

 

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