Posted January 23, 200916 yr Hi, I recently got two new budgies as a belated birthday present. They're quite young, one is grey and the other is green. Here is a photo (sorry the quality isn't the best as it was taken with my phone): For names, I was thinking ryu for the grey and kisho for the green. I have a few questions as this is the first time I've had more then one budgie -is it okay for them to have a mirror as I would like them to be tame/friendly? - can I play with them both at the same time for half an hour a day or does it need to be half an hour each (or half an hour each until they are older? ) ? thanks!
January 23, 200916 yr naw very pretty ! welcome to bbc also how old are the little ones the look tiny? can they eat by them selves yet?
January 23, 200916 yr Author Thanks, I'm not sure how old they are as I haven't really had much experience with budgies however they can eat by themselves.
January 23, 200916 yr Hi there and welcome! Does the little grey one have long tail feathers and flight feathers? They look a bit short? Has it flown yet, the reason I ask is that it looks like a french molt budgie but maybe it just looks it in the photo? Cheers, Trish.
January 23, 200916 yr HMM? they look very very young but good luck make sure you keep a good eye on them! as for mirrors there is mixed opinions mine is no i wouldnt but its up to you . it depends on how old the little ones are for you to play with them. if they start to look stressed when you play with them leavet them for a while. i personally when i buy ia budgie dont handle them until the next day or so . because the little budgies can get over stressed. where did you buy them from? xx Elise xx Edited January 23, 200916 yr by LILBABYBUDGIES
January 23, 200916 yr Author The grey one hasn't flown yet and doesn't have long tail feathers. I think the green one has as he was sitting on a perch earlier while the grey one was climbing a wall. The breeder said that for feeding to have seed on the floor. Should I be worried that they might have been a little young to be sold ?
January 23, 200916 yr The grey one hasn't flown yet and doesn't have long tail feathers.I think the green one has as he was sitting on a perch earlier while the grey one was climbing a wall. The breeder said that for feeding to have seed on the floor. Should I be worried that they might have been a little young to be sold ? There is no need for a "normal" budgie to have seed on the floor. I believe that the breeder sold you a french molt budgie and knew that he was too, I have one myself and that is how I came accross this forum. I didn't know about it till I found out here. This is my discussions on here about my F.M. budgie Ben: http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....showtopic=22713 Don't worry my Ben is happy and healthy and I have just modified his cage to suit his special needs. P.S. He wont be able to get to his seed through the grate on the floor, maybe line the bottom of the cage with newspaper and put the seed in a shallow dish. Plenty of ladders, toys and perches down low is what is needed for this little guy. Edited January 23, 200916 yr by Trish
January 23, 200916 yr Author I haven't played with the two budgies as I only got them today so waiting till tomorrow. I thought that the seed on the floor might be because the budgies were still quite young however if it is because of that do I just need to make sure there are lower perches in the cage and such?
January 23, 200916 yr I haven't played with the two budgies as I only got them today so waiting till tomorrow.I thought that the seed on the floor might be because the budgies were still quite young however if it is because of that do I just need to make sure there are lower perches in the cage and such? Yes, just read my topic and all the good advice I got and it should tell you all you need to know.
January 23, 200916 yr Okay. Thanks a lot for all your help =] No worries at all I'm glad to help. The other budgie won't catch it (it only looks like the grey one has it) and humans can't catch it. He also won't die from it, he just won't be able to fly all the same if you set his cage right he will have a happy and long life. I say these things because I wondered all of them. My Ben is a lovely happy little budgie.
January 23, 200916 yr I have to agree with the probability that the grey one is a french moult budgie.
January 23, 200916 yr Author I had a closer look at the budgie (due to my lack of experience with budgies I asked the breeder to choose 2 for me) and it appears to be missing some of the feathers off its tummy, is this indicative of anything or is there anything I could tell you which might help with identifying if it really is French Molt?
January 23, 200916 yr I had a closer look at the budgie (due to my lack of experience with budgies I asked the breeder to choose 2 for me) and it appears to be missing some of the feathers off its tummy, is this indicative of anything or is there anything I could tell you which might help with identifying if it really is French Molt? Our experience tells us it is a french moult budgie. Missing flight feathers on wings and tail feathers and any body feathers missing is a french moult budgie as a rule. Breeder should know that. Either they dont know enough about their budgies or they have deliberately sold you a budgie with issues. BUT have you another photo ?
January 23, 200916 yr Author I had a closer look at the budgie (due to my lack of experience with budgies I asked the breeder to choose 2 for me) and it appears to be missing some of the feathers off its tummy, is this indicative of anything or is there anything I could tell you which might help with identifying if it really is French Molt? Our experience tells us it is a french moult budgie. Missing flight feathers on wings and tail feathers and any body feathers missing is a french moult budgie as a rule. Breeder should know that. Either they dont know enough about their budgies or they have deliberately sold you a budgie with issues. BUT have you another photo ? no, I don't have another picture at the moment however I will go take one.
January 23, 200916 yr Hello and welcome :rofl: Your budgies are sweet. I agree with the french moult. the grey one definitely has it, the green one may have it too as his flights look to be missing. I had a french moult pet budgie once - she was the sweetest budgie i ever had. she would go everywhere with me, even to school in grade 4 when i had a really easy going teacher :rofl: - sadly due to the FM she didnt live past 5 years though, they do tend to have a shorter life :rofl: sammy
January 23, 200916 yr Author Here's some more pictures of the budgies. I'm not really fussed if the budgies won't fly however will they require much extra attention (more then usual budgie/s ?) Edited January 23, 200916 yr by Keyys
January 23, 200916 yr Your little grey has french moult and the other is missing wing flights. Cant see exactly whats going on there or with the tail. Maybe another FM victim ? French moult budgies need a few extras in their cages...ladders, platforms etc. I would cover the bottom grid with paper and change frequently. FM budgies dont seem to know they cant fly and they leap off tall buildings in a single bound ....SUPERMAN STYLE. They can hurt themselves. They try and grow new flight feathers but often they break off and bleed. You will need to read up on HOW TO REMOVE A BLOOD FEATHER to be found in our FAQ section. Sometimes the flight feathers that try and grow also develop feather cysts and they need treating....expressing the gunk and swelling that occurs and watch for bleeding and infections. For now, try and rethink the cage and make it easier for them in there. Welcome to our forum Edited January 23, 200916 yr by KAZ
January 23, 200916 yr Author I'm a little worried that I won't be able to give the French Moult budgie (and the other?) the proper care..I'm starting year 11 this year and the budgies were to be companions as I love birds and my last budgie was really friendly, he sadly passed away earlier this year [am using a different cage now]. Will looking after them properly with their conditions change the amount of time needed to be spent on them ?
January 23, 200916 yr I'm a little worried that I won't be able to give the French Moult budgie (and the other?) the proper care..I'm starting year 11 this year and the budgies were to be companions as I love birds and my last budgie was really friendly, he sadly passed away earlier this year [am using a different cage now]. Will looking after them properly with their conditions change the amount of time needed to be spent on them ? You wont be able to interact with them in quite the same way...like if you want a budgie that sits on your shoulder as you walk around the house, you would have to be careful with a flightless bird in case it fell and hurt itself. You would have to watch more closely for injuries and broken feathers. They may cost you more at the vet than the average budgie. The person who sold them to you in my opinion either knew or should have known. I would not sell a french moult budgie. I am sorry it has presented you with having to make choices and decisions at this point. Edited January 23, 200916 yr by KAZ
January 23, 200916 yr the other option is to either take them back and express your concern get your money back and buy healthy birds or you could just rehouse them and start again i brought a french molter and didnt relize till i got home as she flew fine when i was looking at the birds it was a pet shop bird i rehoused her after having her for a few months cause i had a friend whos son wanted a pet that would just stay where he was she just loved her new home she didnt like me much funny that she died 2 months after while she was getting bird sat broken heart i think she loved thoughs kids if you have time they make great pets and are just a bit more dependent but shouldnt be much extra work just keep them healthy and have all the usuall iodine bell cuttle bone and a tiny bit of either cod liver or linseed one a month in their seed just mix it throw and let sit 15 mins before feeding only like a few drops for two birds good luck what ever you do
January 23, 200916 yr The little grey ones looks to be a hen too. I am a bit appalled at the breeder who sold these birds to you. It's one thing to get them from a pet shop, but i would expect a lot better bird direct from the breeder, or at least the breeder should have told you of the condition rather than giving you the impression you were getting healthy birds I think you will be fine with them. as long as they get daily care and attention (like any bird) then they are getting enough, any more is a bonus :yes: Give them plenty of good fresh food and quality seed. You could even try giving extra protein and amino acids to try and encourage healthier feather growth.
January 23, 200916 yr Author I played with my two budgies today as the little grey one had poop on it's feet so I cleaned them off. They seemed alright and the green one was flapping around while jumping off my hands (they were close to the floor, he didn't get hurt) so I think he might of been trying to fly..hopefully one day he'll be able too.
January 24, 200916 yr Hi and welcome. You've been given great advice already. I'll just add my two bobs worth. If you still have doubts about giving them the care they need... you need to decide now. Either take them back (with a parent present) and explain you know what's wrong with them etc... and swap them or get your money back, or decide to keep them and work with what you have. You can't wait too long though or they wont take them back. It's very wrong if they willingly sold you these birds . Anyway... good luck with them and if you decide to keep them, just do as the others have said and I'm sure they be quite happy.
