I went to a pet shop today looking for some more budgies and i noticed that most of them are starting to moult. They looked healthy just moulting. Is it a good idea to buy a budgie while they are moulting or better to wait till they have finished? I did walk out with no budgies much to my hubby's surprise when he said i was allowed to buy some.

It's always best to get them when they are not moulting as it reduces the overall stress. But, I have bought budgies when they are moulting, be it a first moult or a seasonal moult - you just got to keep a close eye on them to make sure they are not getting overly stressed.

I've bought moulting budgies before.

Moulting budgies are under stress and some get quite ill with it. Best not to buy, sell or move them when moulting. Having lost a $100 budgie I bought that was moulting I prefer not to buy moulting birds these days. If you do, extreme care and special treatment for the bird

I've had no problem buying moulting budgies before and would do again

I've had no problem buying moulting budgies before and would do again

 

I agree. Just need to make sure. you keep an eye on them while they are in quarantine and help them through the moult. Heath, do you use moulting aid?

I've had no problem buying moulting budgies before and would do again

 

I agree. Just need to make sure. you keep an eye on them while they are in quarantine and help them through the moult. Heath, do you use moulting aid?

 

 

Pearce I started using moulting aid about 10 -12 months ago, seems to be good. I like breeders aid also. After reading some of Daz's posts re. nutrition today, i'm going sit down with all the additive i have and really work out whats necessary and what i'm doubling up on.

I've had no problem buying moulting budgies before and would do again

 

I agree. Just need to make sure. you keep an eye on them while they are in quarantine and help them through the moult. Heath, do you use moulting aid?

 

 

Pearce I started using moulting aid about 10 -12 months ago, seems to be good. I like breeders aid also. After reading some of Daz's posts re. nutrition today, i'm going sit down with all the additive i have and really work out whats necessary and what i'm doubling up on.

 

okay thanks very much.

Please share when you do! Information on supplements, meds, and aids like this is VERY helpful for those of us just starting out. Newbies like myself don't know what products are good and which ones are "fluff" (like a lot of the pet store stuff).

 

I want to make sure I'm giving them everything they need (while also being sure I'm not giving them something unnecessary or even something that may be given with good intentions in mind but end up being harmful). With so many products available, I find myself asking "do I really need that, or is it overkill?".

 

The FAQs are awesome, but I also like to hear anecdotes and personal experience to get a more balanced view of what's good, what's necessary, and what's just preying on pet owners who don't know any better.

 

When I have moulting birds I give them moulting aid. Aswell as calcivet and plenty of protein. They also get the egg and biscuit and soft food daily. And plenty of other things to help support them through the moult.

Thanks for everyones opinions, last night i ended up looking at a breeders budgies who is having to sell due to health issues and has not been able to look after them. So instead of buying budgies that are moulting i ended up with 7 budgies with scaly face. I know people will think i made a mistake but i felt sorry for the budgies. The breeder said i could have them for $5 each so i brought them all home. They are all perching fine in the cages and look healthy apart from the scaly face. They got treated with Ivermectin last night.

Thanks for everyones opinions, last night i ended up looking at a breeders budgies who is having to sell due to health issues and has not been able to look after them. So instead of buying budgies that are moulting i ended up with 7 budgies with scaly face. I know people will think i made a mistake but i felt sorry for the budgies. The breeder said i could have them for $5 each so i brought them all home. They are all perching fine in the cages and look healthy apart from the scaly face. They got treated with Ivermectin last night.

 

If the scaley face isn't too severe they will probably come out of the ivermectin treatment quite healthy. I would also think of doing meds for internal parisites while in quarantine. If the breeder didn't medicate for things he could see he probably didn't medicate for the ones he couldn't!

Thanks for everyones opinions, last night i ended up looking at a breeders budgies who is having to sell due to health issues and has not been able to look after them. So instead of buying budgies that are moulting i ended up with 7 budgies with scaly face. I know people will think i made a mistake but i felt sorry for the budgies. The breeder said i could have them for $5 each so i brought them all home. They are all perching fine in the cages and look healthy apart from the scaly face. They got treated with Ivermectin last night.

 

If the scaley face isn't too severe they will probably come out of the ivermectin treatment quite healthy. I would also think of doing meds for internal parisites while in quarantine. If the breeder didn't medicate for things he could see he probably didn't medicate for the ones he couldn't!

 

 

I have added Avicycline to their water and also gave them fresh vegies and bottle brush branches this morning.

I have added Avicycline to their water and also gave them fresh vegies and bottle brush branches this morning.

 

Avicycline (or any other water medication) is noneffective when not the only source of water . Vegies and plant material are too moist and the birds can avoid the medication by getting their moisture from the food.

I have added Avicycline to their water and also gave them fresh vegies and bottle brush branches this morning.

 

Avicycline (or any other water medication) is noneffective when not the only source of water . Vegies and plant material are too moist and the birds can avoid the medication by getting their moisture from the food.

 

I will remove the vegies and branches but how else could i give them extra vitamins that they would get from the vegies while they are in quarintine.

They just have to wait until after the medication has finished as even a cuttle bone (calcium) will interfere with the meds.

They just have to wait until after the medication has finished as even a cuttle bone (calcium) will interfere with the meds.

 

Thanks Liv, it is a sunny here at the moment so i have moved their cages out in the sun, will that effect the medicated water.

I find that if you remove any water for 6 hours previous the birds will take to the medicated water better. they will want a drink and will drink the medication. If their are other sources of water, they will take the tasty water over the medicated water anyday.

I find that if you remove any water for 6 hours previous the birds will take to the medicated water better. they will want a drink and will drink the medication. If their are other sources of water, they will take the tasty water over the medicated water anyday.

 

I use this method too. While my birds are on medication, I remove all drinking water overnight (everynight) and when you provide the drinking water with medications in it in the morning, they drink it straight up.

I find that if you remove any water for 6 hours previous the birds will take to the medicated water better. they will want a drink and will drink the medication. If their are other sources of water, they will take the tasty water over the medicated water anyday.

 

I use this method too. While my birds are on medication, I remove all drinking water overnight (everynight) and when you provide the drinking water with medications in it in the morning, they drink it straight up.

 

I do this too. Its much more effective. and you get to see them take a drink too which is comforting

I find that if you remove any water for 6 hours previous the birds will take to the medicated water better. they will want a drink and will drink the medication. If their are other sources of water, they will take the tasty water over the medicated water anyday.

 

I use this method too. While my birds are on medication, I remove all drinking water overnight (everynight) and when you provide the drinking water with medications in it in the morning, they drink it straight up.

 

I do this too. Its much more effective. and you get to see them take a drink too which is comforting

 

 

This sounds like a great idea, i will start doing it.