I brought a young budgie this morning which is recently out of the nest and I haven't really seen it eating so what should I give it? (I think I bought it's dad too so maybe I should put them both in together.

 

Harlequinlover

Edited February 9, 200817 yr by harlequinlover

How young is the bird? I would have millet sprays on the bottom of the cage.

 

You can put the father to son in the same cage. But keep an eye on them.

How young is the bird? I would have millet sprays on the bottom of the cage.

 

You can put the father to son in the same cage. But keep an eye on them.

 

Daz,

 

I think he's about 5 weeks approx.

 

Strange thing though he has his main flight feathers which are long and the other flights all appear a lot shorter.

 

Harlequinlover

Very young bird. Have you checked him for poopy bottom ? Checked his keelbone to see if he has weight on ?

Missing some flight feathers sounds like you havre ended up with a french moult baby. Do a "test tug" lightly on the feathers of tail and wing...gently and see if any come out readily.

Very young bird. Have you checked him for poopy bottom ? Checked his keelbone to see if he has weight on ?

Missing some flight feathers sounds like you havre ended up with a french moult baby. Do a "test tug" lightly on the feathers of tail and wing...gently and see if any come out readily.

 

Kaz,

 

I've just applied a light pressure to the feathers (the long main flights and some of the tail feathers) by holding a couple and lightly pulling along the shaft towards the end), didn't actually tug but no feathers came out. There appears to be small flight feathers growing (just the main flights are much longer.

 

His bottom is not poopy (looks normal and no sign of anything stuck to feathers), his poop is a pale brownish though when he goes.

 

I think he is light on, just looking at him but he isn't making any noises like he's hungry and not down trying to eat the seed on the floor of the cage (mainly just sits on his perch). I've decided to soak some seed for him. How long do I soak it for in water etc. before I put it in the cage for him.

 

Daz,

 

I'm going into town to get some millet sprays for him but at the moment not showing any signs of interest in food.

 

Harlequinlover

Edited February 9, 200817 yr by Daz
short cut

5 weeks is very young to be away from the parents. I don't separate them until 6 weeks and then to a nursery with other chicks. If there are no chicks in the nursery, I'll keep them longer with the parents until I can have a few go in. The other thing is to pout an old cock bird in that will take the role as a feeder until they get going.

 

My chicks stay in the nursery until they are 3 months old and then to a junior flight. You may need to hand feed this one until he gets the idea of feeding himself.

5 weeks is very young to be away from the parents. I don't separate them until 6 weeks and then to a nursery with other chicks. If there are no chicks in the nursery, I'll keep them longer with the parents until I can have a few go in. The other thing is to pout an old cock bird in that will take the role as a feeder until they get going.

 

My chicks stay in the nursery until they are 3 months old and then to a junior flight. You may need to hand feed this one until he gets the idea of feeding himself.

 

okay what's the best way to hand feed and what to feed? I had the male in but he didn't try and feed it.

 

Harlequinlover

You can get a feeding spoon from a pet store. I use a crop needle but if you've never done it don't try it.

Try the millet first and see how he goes.

You can get a feeding spoon from a pet store. I use a crop needle but if you've never done it don't try it.

Try the millet first and see how he goes.

 

Daz,

 

In the past I used a crop needle on a parrot. Will a straw cut so there is a scoop at the end work the same as a feeding spoon? and do I give it egg and biscuit? How long do I soak the seed for so when it starts to try and crack it's own seed it's softer at first (as I haven't seen it cracking seed yet).

 

Kind Regards,

 

Harlequinlover

Edited February 10, 200817 yr by harlequinlover

For a feeding spoon....get a plastic disposable spoon ( like from takeaway places ) dip it in hot water from a kettle and bend the sides inwards to form a bent spoon with it tapering at the tip...that will create your emergency feeding spoon. Brownish poops isnt good...its one of the signs of coccidiosis and could be a concern here.

Best of luck withy your feeding. Keep us advised.

Kaz

Thanks a lot for the help!

 

okay, I decided to take the perches out so it has to be on the floor and as soon as I did this he started to crack the seed on the floor (that I had put there for him). What a relief.

 

I am going to get it some millet sprays.

 

Harlequinlover

 

For a feeding spoon....get a plastic disposable spoon ( like from takeaway places ) dip it in hot water from a kettle and bend the sides inwards to form a bent spoon with it tapering at the tip...that will create your emergency feeding spoon. Brownish poops isnt good...its one of the signs of coccidiosis and could be a concern here. Best of luck withy your feeding. Keep us advised.Kaz

 

Thanks,

 

Harlequinlover

Edited February 10, 200817 yr by harlequinlover