Hi All

 

Yes I have more questions !!!

 

I am not sure what I should be doing to keep my baby healthy in all aspects.

1. Should I be using a mite spray?
   
2. Should I be worming?
   
3. Should I have calcuim and iodine blocks in the cage - or be adding these minerals to Coco's diet?
   
4. I have had a piece of cuttlefish in the cage for about a week now and Coco has not showed any interest. Does she need to be eating/chewing (or whatever they do to it) for health reasons?
   

Also, Coco tends to have a burst of energy, and then get really sleepy and rest and then want to play again - is this normal? By about 8:30pm at night she is totally spent and can barely keep her peepers open!

 

Thanks everybody :budgiedance: I would be lost without this forum!

Mite spray if you see mites...

Worming every few months

yeah have iodine and calciuim in there.. and add some vitamins in different ways

Cuttle bone is not a requirement, with a calcium/iodine bell in there She should eat enough calcium

Yes that is normal, most birds are active during the morning and afternoon/evening times but are more docile inbetween these two times.

Edited February 12, 200817 yr by KAZ
spelling changed moth into most

Mite spray if you see mites...

Worming every few months

yeah have iodine and calciuim in there.. and add some vitamins in different ways

Cuttle bone is not a requirement, with a calcium/iodine bell in there She should eat enough calcium

Yes that is normal, most birds are active during the morning and afternoon/evening times but are more docile inbetween these two times.

 

Thank you Libby, just one more quick question - what is a good other way to add vitamins (and what ones)?

You can use PENTAVITE childrens liquid vitamins in any of thier soft food or water.

Re mite spray...I dont use it at all. I prefer not to have sprays like that that can be inhaled. I use spot on ivermectin on the back of the neck for mites.

Since you only have 1 budgie I don't suggest worming there is no need for it. Those with aviaries outside do need to worm as a preventative.

 

Don't forget a healthy diet with fruits, veggies, pellets, and seed. Millet can be used as a great training tool or a bribe to get them back into their cage so don't over do it as mentioned above.

 

In our FAQ section we have wonderful information about nutrition which is going to be the #1 thing in keeping your bird healthy. Additives are wonderful but giving them the vitamains they need through their food is better just like us humans. Budgies are stubborn creatures and may not take to different foods readily but with encouragement, different ways of presenting it to them and persistance even the most stubborn budgie will learn to love their veggies and fruits and even pellets.

 

As for the cuttlebone Merlin never touches his Pretty always did. If it makes you feel better you can shave some cuttlebone on top of his food daily after you have changed it or blown off the husks.

 

I hope that helps.

I disagree about the not worming. As you do not know exactly where and how Coco was bred and the fact that worms are cyclic breeders, you should have Coco wormed at least a couple of times with a 3 month break. After which, if Coco is an inside bird, that should be enough. Coco can inherit worm eggs from its parents so the need to have Coco wormed now is important and in another 3 months again. After that time Coco should be fine without it.

Really I never wormed either one of my birds? That is interesting Kaz that is the first time I heard that they should be wormed if they are for pet purposes only Do you think there should be something in the FAQ? I have never read about worming them at all unless they were aviary. (Not disagreeing with you, you know more then I just asking since there is nothing ever said about it when you bird a budgie home). Do you worm all your babies or do you suggest the person purchasing to worm them? Like cats and dogs we all know (we hope) that if they are bought from a breeder that they have been wormed or are being wormed.

Edited February 12, 200817 yr by Elly

Really I never wormed either one of my birds? That is interesting Kaz that is the first time I heard that they should be wormed if they are for pet purposes only

A lot of birds here in Australia carry worms especially aviary bred birds. Not knowing parentage means worming is amust. Continued inside caging of a bird would mean it would not reinfest itself so the ongoing need to keep worming isnt there, but I would worm at least twice to be sure. If you have ever seen worms coming out of abudgies bottom and poops you would be shocked at the size they can get and realise the need.

It may be a difference between Australia and the USA. Who knows. But a young bird can have worms growing from eggs passed through the parents.

I spose it's the same as how the first aviary bird got his worms ever... they all have to get it from somewhere, and it's better to be safe than sorry

Cheers everybody. Kaz, any particular brand of wormer you use being in Oz? Are they readily available in pet stores, or more of a vet thing?

Cheers everybody. Kaz, any particular brand of wormer you use being in Oz? Are they readily available in pet stores, or more of a vet thing?

Worming solution is available most places that sell bird supplies. I use a brand called Elliots.

I also use elliotts