So, apart from the pellet vs seed issue, how is the cage setup re perches and also exercise regime ?

So, apart from the pellet vs seed issue, how is the cage setup re perches and also exercise regime ?

 

Now that he can come out of his cage safely I let him out more often. I had stopped his "out of cage" activity when I became a nervous wreck with him flying around rather eratically. (the flying was great, it was the landing!!!). I'm starting gently naturally as the floor is new to him. I put the cage on the floor open it up, put his toys in front of it, including a play gym I have recently purchased, its nothing spectacular, just a plastic one from the petshop. (I've seen some brilliant home made ones on this forum but just not time to do this myself).

 

I then sit on the floor with him and play for a little while, rolling the ball, which he can't resist chasing, then after a little while when he's lost interest, I just grab my laptop, sit on the floor away a little.. and do my own thing, watching him and talking to him. He is happy out for awhile but is still happier returning to his cage, in it or on top of it. I would expect that I guess. I wont rush him but eventually will try to shut his cage and see what he does. Plan is to get him to "run" more to chase his toys. He still flutters from place to place so I think once I can build up his confidence being out and on the floor I should be able to encourage him to walk (run!) around a little more which hopefully will assist with his weight. I've also taken his seed out for a few hours (he tends to graze all day long!!) and am watching to see if he opts for the pellets. As yet he wont go near them. But lets not forget this is only really day 2! As you all point out on this forum, budgies can be stubborn and creatures of habit.

 

I have always found it really bizarre that when I sit and have my dinner (he can see me) he starts eating as well. I have often asked myself... does he really KNOW I'm eating.. or is it just coincidence??

 

... are you able to ascertain if he is VERY porky by these photos taken today???

 

 

He doesn't look too bad to me, certainly not as bad as one of mine

 

 

I have always found it really bizarre that when I sit and have my dinner (he can see me) he starts eating as well. I have often asked myself... does he really KNOW I'm eating.. or is it just coincidence??

 

 

He knows... this is when you give him his veggies (remove his seed dish during that time)... and maybe sprinkle a small amout of seed on it to encourage him (I say seed as this is what he likes). I'd have a fair guess he'd start eating his veggies in no time!!!

 

From those photos... he looks solid I wouldn't say fat or overweight too much... but could do with a little more excersize (which it sounds like he is getting now)

Edited November 1, 200816 yr by maesie

He doesn't look too bad to me, certainly not as bad as one of mine

 

 

 

He looks so CUTE!!!! :rofl:

 

And yes, I guess the vet was giving me a warning so that I just keep an eye on his weight. She didnt say he was too fat, just weighed a little too much!

 

(wish someone would put it like that re my weight!! )

 

He hasnt had his seed for an hour or so now, a little later I'll put a few seeds in with his veges when I'm having mine.. I'll see what he does. IF he doesnt eat at all I'll put his seed back in this evening so he will have had something to eat. Perhaps if I try to get in the habit of taking his seed out and putting veges in everytime I eat it'll become the "norm" for him and he'll think "aha!!! so THIS is what we eat at dinner time!!" :doh:

His outline shows a little padding around the chest but not what I would call overweight. He looks bright and alert and a happy budgie What seed mix does he have...like what seeds are in the blend ?

Edited November 1, 200816 yr by KAZ

He hasnt had his seed for an hour or so now, a little later I'll put a few seeds in with his veges when I'm having mine.. I'll see what he does. IF he doesnt eat at all I'll put his seed back in this evening so he will have had something to eat. Perhaps if I try to get in the habit of taking his seed out and putting veges in everytime I eat it'll become the "norm" for him and he'll think "aha!!! so THIS is what we eat at dinner time!!"

 

:rofl: :doh: Worth a try anyway... if it works, eventually you wont even have to take out his seed. He'll be excited that his 'dinner' has arrived. I look forward to hearing how your 'dinner for two goes'

His outline shows a little padding around the chest but not what I would call overweight. He looks bright and alert and a happy budgie What seed mix does he have...like what seeds are in the blend ?

 

Seed contains panicum, red panicum millet, sorghum, wheat, french millet, fine shell grit. Contains 8% fat and 17% protein.

 

I generally buy my seed from "Petwise" but this pack is from supermarket as I was not able to get to the petshop that day.

 

The pellets say "High Energy Breeder diet Nibles" (by "Roudybush" (??) California) and contain 7% fat and 19% protein. The pack does say in the directions "feed as sole diet".

His outline shows a little padding around the chest but not what I would call overweight. He looks bright and alert and a happy budgie What seed mix does he have...like what seeds are in the blend ?

 

Seed contains panicum, red panicum millet, sorghum, wheat, french millet, fine shell grit. Contains 8% fat and 17% protein.

 

I generally buy my seed from "Petwise" but this pack is from supermarket as I was not able to get to the petshop that day.

 

The pellets say "High Energy Breeder diet Nibles" (by "Roudybush" (??) California) and contain 7% fat and 19% protein. The pack does say in the directions "feed as sole diet".

Wheat is a filler seed and not needed. It may increase weight. There is no canary seed amongst the contents ?

His outline shows a little padding around the chest but not what I would call overweight. He looks bright and alert and a happy budgie What seed mix does he have...like what seeds are in the blend ?

 

Seed contains panicum, red panicum millet, sorghum, wheat, french millet, fine shell grit. Contains 8% fat and 17% protein.

 

I generally buy my seed from "Petwise" but this pack is from supermarket as I was not able to get to the petshop that day.

 

The pellets say "High Energy Breeder diet Nibles" (by "Roudybush" (??) California) and contain 7% fat and 19% protein. The pack does say in the directions "feed as sole diet".

Wheat is a filler seed and not needed. It may increase weight. There is no canary seed amongst the contents ?

 

No mention of Canary seed... what is the significance of canary seed? Would that be a good addition or a bad one?

 

I've just had "dinner for two".. (he did indeed start eating when I did!! thats so cute!! especially since I live alone!! ) This time I have removed the pellets (he wouldnt even go anywhere near the dish!!) and put back his seed dish but at the top I put in some mixed veges, including some corn kernels (fresh). He has not taken his little head out of the dish.. so hopefully he's getting some of the veges as well as the seed. I'll check it out when he's finished. This way I can perhaps increase the vegie content and lessen the seed content, once he gets used to that eventually might even be able to add some pellets!! I do think this mixing is going to have more chance of working than separate dishes.

 

Gosh, its worse than having fussy kids isnt it!!????

Edited November 1, 200816 yr by thk

I think you need a better seed blend with no wheat. Try looking out for budgie breeder mix, or even finch mix. The one you have with wheat isnt good. Wheat is not meant to be in budgie seed.

Good luck with the twosome budgie dinner parties

 

and YES canary seed is a very good thing to be in a budgie seed mix.

Edited November 1, 200816 yr by KAZ

I think you need a better seed blend with no wheat. Try looking out for budgie breeder mix, or even finch mix. The one you have with wheat isnt good. Wheat is not meant to be in budgie seed.

Good luck with the twosome budgie dinner parties

 

and YES canary seed is a very good thing to be in a budgie seed mix.

 

Thanks Kaz.. I will take more notice of the actual ingredients of the seed (rather than just the brand name on the package!) in future.

Great news!!!

Also sorghum is a waste of money as they generally won't eat it and is often used as a filler in cheaper seeds. It is the one that looks like little red balls

Also sorghum is a waste of money as they generally won't eat it and is often used as a filler in cheaper seeds. It is the one that looks like little red balls

 

wow there's so much I didnt know!! Had no idea what "sorghum" was. As wheat is also not useful.. what are the better ingriedients to look for when I'm next buying my seed? (although I could probably find this information in one of the other threads in this forum??)

 

I'm really grateful for all the advice. We think we know so much but there's really a lot we can learn from those with so much more experience. Thank you, you're all being a great help!!

You need a good percentage of canary in it, also jap millet and french white millet, pannicum is good. As MB says sorghum is a filler like the wheat. The only time I use wheat ...is the triticale wheat used in soaked seed.

BUT finch blend seed is good for reducing weight in budgies and I often use it with my seed and other show breeders do also. There is very little waste in finch mix...they usually eat it all.

IF you can try to get Golden Cob .. Budgie Blue .these are pre made with the a rather good ratio of seeds ..or go to a Bird supplies or a produce store ...

 

I have now started making my own blends up varying from 60-80% canary then millets, niger and a few other extra's

 

As far as pellets go .... Just feed your bird Dried dog food it has the same nutritional value ...

 

Or supply a multi vit supplement or block ...

 

Your bird looks IN TOP CONDITION ....

DID the vet tell you the weight?

See how the VET pushed the pellets ( most vets get goodies for selling slow moving products) As if you can't buy pellet elsewhere ..

 

My Avian vet ( probably 3rd best in NSW if not Aust) would never tell me to feed pellets ....

 

Enough of the jabbering ... Just wanted to know how much he weighs?

Edited November 4, 200816 yr by Neat

okay what are you putting in your seed Neat that is only suitabe for a MA 16+ udience?

okay what are you putting in your seed Neat that is only suitabe for a MA 16+ udience? :rofl:

:D :rofl:

LOL .. sorry ... It is the little tiny racist seeds

ni ger , Line seed, and i forget the other seed .little flat red one ..

 

It is like a tonic - I also added a fledgling mix to it as well

Fledgling mix consists of

Sunflower seed 1%

rolled oats 2%

Chick Starter %1

dried rosemary %1

along with the normal seeds

Edited November 4, 200816 yr by Neat
added info

Great thread guys! A really interesting and informative read. Your bird looks like he is in great condition! Ive seen many heavier birds.

 

Also rainbow, your post was very well written as well.

How did you spell it? It's not even the same spelling is it? Let me try Niga, *********

.......He he....................................correct speling works ............^

 

 

 

....................................................................^

 

Yes correct spelling mate

Edited November 4, 200816 yr by Neat

MB yes NIGER

we all make mistakes I just take the share of those that don't make them that often LOL

Actually Neat maybe it is one of those things that has a few different spellings because Niga was how it was spelt on the bulk seed I used to bag up where I worked

 

 

Just checked: Niger, Also known as Nigra, Niga, and Inga

 

http://www.bird-feed.co.uk/Niger%20Seeds.htm

Edited November 4, 200816 yr by melbournebudgies

Thanks all, brilliant advice all around and has taken the "panic" out of my slightly stressful visit to the avian vet. I didnt retain what the vet nurse said his weight was because I knew nothing about weights and measurements for a budgie so it didnt really mean much. Perhaps if she had elaborated on it by saying he weighs this much but should be no more than that much it would have had more of an impact. I can phone them today and ask them again, as she did write it down.

 

She phoned me yesterday to follow up on Charley's bleeding experience and was happy to hear he's settled down okay. As I told her, he was very quiet for about 3 days, hardly spoke to me and seemed a little less active but on Monday evening he seemed to spring to life. I wondered if perhaps he had discomfort from where he had bled, as someone here suggested perhaps she had "abrased" him, and it has maybe taken those days to heal. He's certainly back to his lovable, chatty, cheeky self now. It was nice of her to phone to check on him, although I think it may have been to set her mind at ease as she did seem a little shocked when the "poke" down his throat drew blood!!

 

He still wouldnt go NEAR the pellets so I've mixed a few in with both birds' seed, just for something different. It seemed to me also that the vet was pushing their pellets and I still think $24 is too high a price for 1.25kg. I researched the brand (Roudybush) and it looks a LOT cheaper there!

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but to me a "health check" and wing clip for $152 (includes the $24 pellets) is way too much. When I initially phoned them they quoted $16 roughly for wing clip and added "would you like him checked as well?". Thinking perhaps up to $50 extra I jumped at the chance to have my little man checked out fully. I did NOT expect to pay $152 for the entire visit. Naturally I accepted it, I love my little guy and would pay the earth to keep him healthy.. but I dont like being ripped off!

 

Maybe I'm wrong.. does this seem overpriced to you??