I'm very worried about my hen Lumina's weight can raiseing chicks cause wait loss she has even lost all the brown on her cere and it has returned to it pale white/blue color.

 

I'm to frightened to put her into a smaller cage to gain weight and build up strength because of me moving so soon. So ya I hope you can help Lulu

 

Thanks

 

Jodie

Edited November 12, 200816 yr by Elly

Is she still raising the chicks? How many chicks and clutches did she have?

There are a number of things that can cause the weight loss. many are disease related too :party0011:

 

If you feel its from raising chicks then she needs to be kept in a cabinet (without a box) and given lots of good food to get her back into condition. hulled oats, egg powder and sunflower seeds are a great start for weight gain.

most hens loose weight and condition when in the cabinet, which is why it is vital to rest all hens (and cocks) after breeding.

The cere going blue is natural it means she is going out of breeding condition so that I would not worry about Jodie. I do believe after this clutch you need to make sure even if she lays that this is her last clutch until you can get her completely healthy again.

Losing weight is bad, but you havent mentioned if she also has a pooey bottom. Together they are signs of illness.

And WHY would moving have anything to do with what cage she is in ?

Edited November 13, 200816 yr by KAZ

sunflower seeds put alot of weight on my birds.

Moving house is stressful on birds as well as humans, personally I would be too scared to NOT put her in a small cage to gain weight, the move could kill her if she is too weak

sunflower seeds put alot of weight on my birds.

How did you serve them?

She's perfectly heathly other than weight loss she's great

Is she still raising the chicks? How many chicks and clutches did she have?There are a number of things that can cause the weight loss. many are disease related too :hap: If you feel its from raising chicks then she needs to be kept in a cabinet (without a box) and given lots of good food to get her back into condition. hulled oats, egg powder and sunflower seeds are a great start for weight gain. most hens loose weight and condition when in the cabinet, which is why it is vital to rest all hens (and cocks) after breeding.

She has four, Its her first and I'm going to rest both hen and Cock untill about febuaryish next year if I can.

sunflower seeds put alot of weight on my birds.

How did you serve them?

 

I'm actually curious on this one too..

How would one serve sunflower seeds? ..cracked and whole or ground up or something?

Mine get whole sunflower seeds - but be careful with them as they can make budgies fat and can also cause fatty masses to grow on the body if they don't get enough excersise.

Mine get whole sunflower seeds - but be careful with them as they can make budgies fat and can also cause fatty masses to grow on the body if they don't get enough excersise.

 

Like Liv says, be careful with sunflower seeds. Addiction to sunflower seeds affects cockatoos badly and budgerigars can also start to eat them to the exclusion of a better-balanced diet. If you feed sunflower, I would allow maybe one or two kernels only a day (this is a bit of a guess for a single bird). Birds not used to eating sunflower may not be interested. Usually start off with sunflower when they are chicks and start off with the seeds soaked so they can get through the husk. As they get older and they can crack seed more efficiently you don't need to soak it anymore. Also, use grey-stripe, not black sunflower because the black seeds are usually too hard for budgies to crack. And care always when soaking any seed to offer it fresh and dispose of leftovers. In an aviary situation you would only offer a small quantity so that birds do not fill up on sunflower. It is an oily seed and has much value, but in moderation. Jaz

:sad: Thanks guys for that.. i don't actually have any intention on feeding the Budgies sunflower seeds, i was just curious as to how it was done.. I don't think mine would even have the brains to crack the husk of one

It was just another handy bit of information to store away in case i ever need it one day

Animals will lose condition as they raise babies, because it takes alot of energy to do so. Put her on an excellent diet, lots of feed. Try putting the food close to her next box so she doesn't have to travel far to get it. Give lots of egg and biscuit mix as this has lots of protein and will help her put on condition. Offer her pellets as well. Plenty of millet. Hang a millet spray in the nest box. Lots of veges. Particularly carrot and beans. Calcium supplements are a good idea too. You can also buy vitamins that you can put in the water that should just give her that extra boost.

Animals will lose condition as they raise babies, because it takes alot of energy to do so. Put her on an excellent diet, lots of feed. Try putting the food close to her next box so she doesn't have to travel far to get it. Give lots of egg and biscuit mix as this has lots of protein and will help her put on condition. Offer her pellets as well. Plenty of millet. Hang a millet spray in the nest box. Lots of veges. Particularly carrot and beans. Calcium supplements are a good idea too. You can also buy vitamins that you can put in the water that should just give her that extra boost.

 

 

There's no nest box now, The chicks are all out so I took it off and put a box in the bottom with holes for the chicks to hide in.