Two days ago I provided my budgies with an addition to their usual lettuce, I added in some corn. And I was happy to see that they actually ate it. Today however, I noticed one of my budgies in particular is rather fluffed up. He hasn't been as active, and he was letting me give him kisses - he's tame, but usually the kisses are a no-go (I've been trying for ages!) so all-in-all he hasn't been behaving normally. I'm going to be giving the vet a call tomorrow, but I was just wondering - could it be from the corn?? It was canned corn - is there something wrong with that? I'm hoping I'm just being paranoid, but the thought of having *two* budgies sick...oh it makes me worry! :mellow:

 

Thanks in advance for any insight.

All my budgies get corn and they love it. I have had no problems with it. But I do use fresh corn on the cob, sometimes frozen (thawed ) corn. Check the canned corn ingredients. Quite often it is salted. If so, that could be the problem. Also you can get a bad batch of vegies as so many chemicals can be sprayed on them for market and they need to be washed really well. Even then it can be a worry. A relative of mine was a grower for market vegies and he was endeavouring to stay chemical free but buyers would insist on certain chemicals being used for colour and such that they wouldn't buy otherwise. Even some "organically grown" vegies are grown in soil that may already hold chemicals.

But check the ingredients on the can first. Also, lettuce isnt the best green leaf vegetable to offer. Try for the asian greens like pak choy, bok choy etc. Less water content and darker leaf and you will be better off.

Cheers Karen

I've been feeding my birds corn for months, I would tack tem off the lettuce, it's all water and could give them runs (yes I know budgies don't get direa.) if it is wet it is a kidney problem.

how is he today? I would say if he doesn't snap out of it within 24 hours I would make a trip to the avain vet because it could be much more then a tummyache. Good luck.

Ditto for me re feeding corn... mine love it and get it fresh on the cob. As Bubbles said it could be the salt in the tinned variety.. did you rinse it well first?

Also, regarding the lettuce, iceberg is the main problem, if you have been feeding cos or any of the darker leaf lettuces they are usually okay.

Edited December 29, 200618 yr by feathers

Well Casper is being more active today, but he still seems a bit more fluffed up than I would like. Being that New Years is coming up, I'm going to call the vet to make an appointment because I'm not 100% sure when our avian vet will next be available. That way I will have something arranged in case he does continue on in the same manner (though I really am hoping he doesn't). I will keep you all posted. In terms of the lettuce, thanks for the advice, usually what I give them is the dark green stuff, and we've never had any problems with it but I will certainly try them on the asian lettuce that was recommended.

if you want to do lettuce try more green leaf variety or romaine they will have more nourshment then just iceberg :budgiedance: Keep us posted.

Hey everyone,

 

Well I do think Casper just had a sore tummy from pigging out on the corn. He had been eating quite a bit of it, and although I had rinsed it, I checked the can & there was salt in it so that seems to be the problem. He's about 90% back to his usual self...twittering a ton, playful, and flying all over like the whole house is his There are times when I look at him & he still seems a bit fluffed up, but those have also been when he's been chirping away so i think it might just be him floofing up because he's happy.

 

*phew* What a relief!

I'm glad Casper is feeling better.

 

I just wanted to remind everyone that corn should not be offered daily. It is more of a treat food. Corn is high in phosphorus and sugar and should only be given occasionally. I would abandon canned vegetables all together in favor of frozen or fresh.

Thanks Terri! That's important to know.

 

Good to see you back!

Hi Terri, thanks for the input - it's good to know! That was my first time giving the birds corn, and if I do so in the future it certainly won't be from a can again...but as it stands right now, I think we might move onto other vegetables, just to keep Casper's tummy safe!