I does seem over priced to me. Maybe you could ask for a breakdown of fees. I'm a poor student so if someone suddenly sprung fees like that on me I would have had to argue the point there and then!

There is many topics on our forum re seed vs pellets. Here is just a couple of them covered before

 

http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....showtopic=22222

 

http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....showtopic=18890

 

I think you might need to work out the existing diet...what seed and vegies percentages and also what seeds are in your blend, combined with exercise....space, cage and perching.

 

I will never use pellets while I am able to feed my birds a great range of seed and fresh vegies, natural seeding grasses and branches of peppermint and gum.

 

There is a TREND for various vets now to promote pellets. I personally believe this is a kneejerk reaction to alternatives for people who do a seed only bland diet for their birds and no "extras" .

I will NEVER EVER be convinced that a hodge podge of suspect ingredients boiled up into a mash and extruded through machinery and formed into pellets is a good solution for nutrition for my birds.

You seem to have missed this link the last time I posted.

A well check here for Merlin and a wing clip was 80.00 plus I also bought pellets which were pricey and it was extra. I can't remember what they were, if you want a pellet partial diet you can also go to a petstore and get natural pellets, the best way to intro them is to crush them up with a spoon and then sprinkle over the seed.

Edited November 4, 200816 yr by Elly

Agree MB different spellings in different states

 

Vet consult is $48 ( me it is $20 )

a Wing clip was $10

My vet will include poo slides and etc in that consult -

But if it was for medication and etc there would be a different price

 

I agree to get a breakdown of fees - as it was one bird and nearly $200 is a bit rich for a "Check Up"

While you are at it ask for the weight too

I pay $50 for a check up - poo cheak, crop check etc etc. Any meds could cost 20+ dollars. But yes, I think you may have been ripped. Sorry mate

Edited November 5, 200816 yr by KAZ
turtned cheak into check

Agree MB different spellings in different states

 

Vet consult is $48 ( me it is $20 )

a Wing clip was $10

My vet will include poo slides and etc in that consult -

But if it was for medication and etc there would be a different price

 

I agree to get a breakdown of fees - as it was one bird and nearly $200 is a bit rich for a "Check Up"

While you are at it ask for the weight too

 

Neat... a breakdown of fees is as follows: 1.25kg bag pellets $23.61, consultation/annual check $87.20 (this is what I thought was a little over the top!!), in house gram stain slide $28.05, worming $14.50 (GST $13.95)..TOTAL $153.35.

 

I found out today that he was 57 grams. I have no idea what a budgie is meant to weigh, he is not an "English budgie" which I know are bigger, yet he's not a small budgie so I guess he's somewhere in the middle.

 

and Kaz.. I did see the links you posted and found them very interesting and informative. I needed to hear that what I thought (vet pushing hard for people to buy their products) was not a rare occurrence. Obviously it is happening at other vets as well. I know there is a case for and against pellets. I am going to buy the better quality seed on the weekend and will see how he goes on that. (he's definitely not interested in the pellets!)

 

He's been a totally healthy little guy (the vet even commented on how beautiful and healthy he was in all ways other than the weight) so I feel if he's happy with the (new) seed, plus veges, fruit, branches and leaves (plus I give him his patch of "seed grass" which I grow, every now and then which he ADORES!) why would I change his diet completely, to something he obviously doesnt like.

 

It is interesting to read all the different opinions in articles re budgie feeding and I have learnt a lot!! Thanks guys! And if you can also please advise me on what would be an "average" kind of weight for a budgie of Charley's age and size.. I would be grateful!

I would have thought at that price for the check the slide would have been included. Having done them myself in microbiology at uni they are very simple and the price seems a little over the top given how much they charged you for the check up.

and Kaz.. I did see the links you posted and found them very interesting and informative. I needed to hear that what I thought (vet pushing hard for people to buy their products) was not a rare occurrence. Obviously it is happening at other vets as well. I know there is a case for and against pellets. I am going to buy the better quality seed on the weekend and will see how he goes on that. (he's definitely not interested in the pellets!)

 

Sorry, you missed my point. In this topic http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....c=18890&hl=

you stated....

Very interesting article. I hadnt seen this (it was originally posted before I had a "feeding" problem so it didnt really sink in!).

 

so from that I assumed you had not read it in this topc as yet....and that is what I meant by saying You seem to have missed this link the last time I posted.

Edited November 5, 200816 yr by KAZ

and Kaz.. I did see the links you posted and found them very interesting and informative. I needed to hear that what I thought (vet pushing hard for people to buy their products) was not a rare occurrence. Obviously it is happening at other vets as well. I know there is a case for and against pellets. I am going to buy the better quality seed on the weekend and will see how he goes on that. (he's definitely not interested in the pellets!)

 

Sorry, you missed my point. In this topic http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....c=18890&hl=

you stated....

Very interesting article. I hadnt seen this (it was originally posted before I had a "feeding" problem so it didnt really sink in!).

 

so from that I assumed you had not read it in this topc as yet....and that is what I meant by saying You seem to have missed this link the last time I posted.

 

OOPS.. yes I did miss your point!! and... you're quite right!! I had missed that link when you posted it..., thanks Kaz. Silly me!! ....

the normal budgie weight is around 35-45K for a pet budgie, show budgies can weigh more on the 60k side.

Edited November 5, 200816 yr by Elly

My bushies were like 20-30 grams. SOooo tiny! heheh

Yep they are even tinier thank you for adding that I forgot about them because so few of us have them.

Its so scary when I look at them and see how small they are. Its like the could just drop dead - even though they are healthy.

the normal budgie weight is around 35-45K for a pet budgie, show budgies can weigh more on the 60k side.

WHOA.. well I can see why Charley is classed as a bit of a fattie then if he was 57 grams.. (and I do think you meant "g"s not "K"s Elly?... )..

 

I will try to buy some scales so I can weigh him myself. I've checked out your FAQ's section on how to weigh so will give that a go. I will also put him on a bit of an "exercise regime".. (gentle... so he doesnt "ache all over"!! :bump: )

 

He loves going back to his cage when he's out, so I'll put him first a little away from it, and then if I see him flutter back, I'll gradually put him a little further away etc. It's going to almost be a fun challenge (like the "biggest loser"!!).. fun for me.. and I'll bet he will find it fun as well, as he loves attention!! .. and of course he'll look nice and slim for Christmas..