Posted June 19, 200817 yr Hi everybody, My name is Barbara and my Budgie is Spike. Spike is an unusual bird because he only has half a beak, he was attacked and tossed from his box at 2 weeks old and I have nurtured him from that day on. I am not sure if his beak will every grow normal. (Does anyone know?) Anyway the reason I am writing this is that although he only has half a beak he can eat millet seeds quite well but for some reason the other seeds in the budgie mix does not get eaten. I supplimetn his food with conditioning food (dry) and he loves spinich leaves. Sometimes he nibbles at banana but not that keen. Thing is, I need to know if he is getting enough nutrition and if now what can I do? He is 153 days old and has had his first molt.
June 19, 200817 yr Hello and welcome!! Its great to have you here There is another member here who has a bird with half a beak, but i can not remember who its is :hap: Their bird, if i remember correctly, is also doing really well - they seem to adapt to their situation well By the sounds of it your Spike is doing great, and the fact you know how old he is in DAYS shows your dedication to this little guy What conditioning food do you use??
June 19, 200817 yr Hi Barbara and welcom to the forum. You could try a crumble. It is more a soft food and in fact can be a complete diet. Details below of Vetafarm Budgie Crumble Product Name: FINCH CRUMBLES Product Size: 450g Price (AUD): $9.65 Ingredients: Manufactured from whole cereal grains including maize, wholegrain legumes, groats, amino acids, lysine and methionine, salt, vitamins A, D3, E, K, B12, thiamine, riboflavin, panthothenic acid, pyridoxine, folacin and biotin, minerals, calcium, phosphorus, cobalt, iodine, copper, iron, manganese, zinc and selenium and natural organic acids. Guaranteed Analysis: Min Crude Protein 19.0% Min Crude Fat 7.0% Max Crude Fibre 3.5% Added Salt 0.1% Available Sizes: 450g, 2Kg, 10Kg Directions: For conversion from seed if gradual, mix 50:50 seed to crumbles. Allow all seed to be eaten before adding more mix. Birds should be consuming the crumbles within 3-4 days. Once crumbles are being eaten, eliminate seed. Conversion may be sudden, simply remove all seed and replace with crumbles. Ensure familiar feed dishes and feeding locations are retained. Birds may appear fluffed for 2-3 days while their systems adjust but should return to normal within a week. For soft feeding add hot water to a small amount of crumbles, stir and supply in place of normal soft foods. As birds take to this food, decrease the water added and begin reducing the amount of seed supplied. Birds will convert shortly. Water must be available at all times as birds on Finch Crumbles consume more water than seed eating birds. (Allow for extra water consumption when using in-water medications. Notes: Manufactured from whole cereal grains. Total small bird nutrition in a highly digestible extruded crumble. Contains the balanced nutrition necessary for finches, canaries and budgies.Eliminates seed and hull waste leaving aviaries and cages cleaner.Promotes better feathering and colouration. High energy/protein ration and balanced amino acid profiles for better growth. Improves fertility and chick rearing.Birds develop better body condition. Storage & Availability: Protect from moisture and store in a cool dry place Information courtesy of Vetafarm - http://www.vetafarm.com.au
June 19, 200817 yr Great post and suggestion Derek Welcome Barbara and Spike. Terrific that you have brought Spike along this far with dedication and attention. Usually lost beaks do not regrow, and it would have by now if it was going to. A homemade eggfood would be great fopr Spike also, so I will look for a recipe for you and post also. Cheers Kaz AN EGGFOOD RECIPE Ingredients: 3 cups of Oats 1/2 cup of Processed Bran 1/2 cup of Wheat Germ 1/2 cup of Egg and Biscuit 4 Carrots 6 hard boiled Eggs 6 Endive leaves OR Bunch of Parsley Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl. Put hard boiled eggs including the shell in food processor then add processed egg to dry mixture Finely cut carrots then blend in the food processor. Add carrots to dry mix. Finely chop endives and/or parsley (we usually alternate between the endives and parsley every few days) Add chopped endives/ parsley to mix. Mix well. The mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. We lessen the recipe as needed Edited June 19, 200817 yr by KAZ
June 19, 200817 yr Hi and welcome. Spike sounds wonderful. I'd love to see a photo of him. Check out my signature for instructions on how to do it. You are doing so well with him and I hope things continue to go this way. Most budgies with a disability manage to work around it and deal with things their own way. I'm sure Spike will be fine
June 19, 200817 yr Welcome, I noticed your name is female but your profile says male I didn't know if that was correct a lot of members forget to change the gender. Do you have pics of your little one
June 19, 200817 yr A photo would be awesome, good on you for giving this little one a lease on life... Soft food like the other have suggested can help out too .. Have you tried soaked seed? liquid calcium these too may help
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