My nephew found an exhausted Budgie in the gutter and my parents looked after it for about 3 weeks. I have it now and she obviously has a a couple of problems but so far hasn't gotten any worse. Her appetite seems good and she drinks water. She has her spritely moments and calls to the many types of wild parrots around here. Most of her time however is spent quietly on her perch with her head tipped forward and on two feet. She is having a moult and may be stuck in it. She only eats seed. I have tried peas and carrot but she's not interested. She also does not touch the Cuttlefish bone. I don't think she's been taught what to eat. Today I got some "Avian Science" Moulting Tonic to see if she peps up. I also put shell grit in her food but have no idea whether she's using it or not. She's pooping in black and white and it might be hardening a little but I can't be certain. This is only her second day here. Her other issue is her inside toe or claw on each foot is a bit deformed and the nails are pointing upwards. She seems to be perching on top of them as they don't sit right. I thought I'd run it ny you to see if you have any ideas.

aww, well im not experienced with this sort of matter, but its obvious it hasnt been taken care of before it was put into the gutter (or flown away into gutter) maybe u should see a vet and maybe they can fix the problems....not like they do anyways....all they have done for me is take my money and not once have they fixed my bird problems....

 

i hope for the best

Did you put it near your other bird? If so remove it immediatley it may have a disease.

The droppings sound normal. Maybe try a vet. Quarantine is a big issue you need to do. I have no faith in Avian Science what so ever, others might but I do not. none of their products work in my opinion.

Keep up the warmth and if he does not eat hand feed him.

good luck,

Edited May 8, 200916 yr by Pearce

My nephew found an exhausted Budgie in the gutter and my parents looked after it for about 3 weeks. I have it now and she obviously has a a couple of problems but so far hasn't gotten any worse. Her appetite seems good and she drinks water. She has her spritely moments and calls to the many types of wild parrots around here. Most of her time however is spent quietly on her perch with her head tipped forward and on two feet. She is having a moult and may be stuck in it. She only eats seed. I have tried peas and carrot but she's not interested. She also does not touch the Cuttlefish bone. I don't think she's been taught what to eat. Today I got some "Avian Science" Moulting Tonic to see if she peps up. I also put shell grit in her food but have no idea whether she's using it or not. She's pooping in black and white and it might be hardening a little but I can't be certain. This is only her second day here. Her other issue is her inside toe or claw on each foot is a bit deformed and the nails are pointing upwards. She seems to be perching on top of them as they don't sit right. I thought I'd run it ny you to see if you have any ideas.

 

You seem to be doing the right thing... perhaps add a lamp on her to provide her with some warmth (40w globe). If she's eating and drinking, it's a good thing. Try giving her some leafy greens, bok choy or herbs pegged on the side of the cage, or some natural branches etc... she might nibble at them. I would remove the shell grit, she doesn't need it, and don't worry about the cuttlefish.. many don't eat it anyway. Perhaps also try covering her cage (leave on side open). Moulting aid sounds like a good move... possibly a vet trip if you're still worried... Good luck and please keep us updated... as to the toes, it could be from a lack of calcium etc... when she was little and if she's not having a problem getting around, I'd say not to worry re that... but don't take my word on it... Photos also help if you can

She's eating plenty and she's the only bird I have so I guess she's automatically quarantined.

 

Would giving her a buddy help? Maybe she'd copy the other bird and start eating properly. I'll put some seeding grass and a leafy branch in the cage tomorrow and see if she picks at them. I don't want to stress her uneccesarily so I don't handle her and because of that can't get close enough to her tag to get the breeder number. If I can somehow get the number how do I find out which breeder it is?

Edited May 8, 200916 yr by Paul Smith

Thats excellent then. Take her to a vet if you can, if you cant keep her warm and fed well until she improves.

i wouldnt go putting another bird with him. just incase....let him get better and after a few week's let us know how he's going and then think of another mate for him

First of all, Welcome!! Glad you've decided to join our little community

 

I wouldn't get it a friend yet... maybe a little further down the track once she has picked up fully. You'll hear us go on about quarantine and thats cos most of us a re very firm believers in it helping stop the spread of disease... hope everything improves for it I'd keep it under a warm lamp (the heat helps them perk up)

 

Do you have a picture of it?

I'll see what I can do about a picture. She pulls away if I get too close.

First of all, Welcome!! Glad you've decided to join our little community

 

I wouldn't get it a friend yet... maybe a little further down the track once she has picked up fully. You'll hear us go on about quarantine and thats cos most of us a re very firm believers in it helping stop the spread of disease... hope everything improves for it I'd keep it under a warm lamp (the heat helps them perk up)

 

Do you have a picture of it?

Ahhh u = YOU beat me to it jimmy lol, was going to suggest a lamp, and i almost forgot... to the forum paul, its a late welcome but it'll do

Edited May 8, 200916 yr by Elly
please refrain from using texting shortcuts on the forum

Thanks for the welcome folks.

 

I read somewhere that they like to be between 30 and 34 degrees. Is that correct? I can turn the reverse cycle air conditioning up. I'll be sweating though.

a 40 watt lamp would be good if you have one. do you have any desk lamps or lights available? Attach it to the roof of the cage and your good to go.

okay I'm going to seem like a dummy but I can't picture that. At the moment her cage is covered by a towel to give her some peace. Do you mean it the lamp should maybe by layed on it's side during the day so that she gets the ambient heat from it?

Towel will keep in some warmth. You can try a heat pad or something. I use a light bulb because it gives off some heat. The light bulb is on the side of the cage so the heat directly goes to the bird. The bird can move closer or further away from the light depending on the amount of heat they want

Edited May 8, 200916 yr by Pearce

Oh...gotcha. Thanks. I'll give it a try

 

 

This bird appears to have the same goofy toe problem as mine. Same colour too.

 

 

Edited May 8, 200916 yr by Paul Smith

You have received good advice but I also advise as someone else has is if you have a bird that is sick and you are new to birds then an avian vet is essential, we can't diagnosis over the interent what is wrong with the bird, it needs to be examined by a professional avian vet, though this route my be cheaper the other route is smarter. . Keep us updated.

Here she is. That's how she spends most of her time although she ate even more than usual this morning. I know she'll probably have to go to a vet but I'm doing this just in case someone recognises something they've seen before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh...gotcha. Thanks. I'll give it a try

 

 

This bird appears to have the same goofy toe problem as mine. Same colour too.

 

 

that bird is also missing a leg

Not a well looking girl... I'd be off to the vet asap, in the mean time, warm lamp

Edited May 9, 200916 yr by maesie

Vet is needed. She is humped over the perch, fluffed up and overall basically looking very sick. You need to get to a vet.

I hear you.

 

She's so bizarre. This afternoon she'll only shut up long enough to eat. She's flitting about and kind of hopping along her perch. She seems very exited about the wild parrots she can hear outside. She moves quickly all over and seems to want to get out of the cage. If it wasn't for the slumped rest periods earlier you'd think she was okay. I put a mirror up this morning. Maybe that has helped her attiude. She has also been happily pecking at the seeding grass I gave her. Until now she would only eat her normal seed. I'll keep watching her closely. No vet trip before Monday.

 

 

 

Edited May 9, 200916 yr by Paul Smith

Her wings are dropped which is a classic sign of sickness. i would advise the vet. even if we could tell you what was wrong with her, you still need to go to the vet to get the medication.

 

she looks like she would have a breeders ring on.... what is the colour of it??? or better yet, what does it say?

Edited May 9, 200916 yr by **Liv**

I'll have to get back to you on that. I don't want to stress her by handling her. I should be able to get a look at what colour it is though.

well here's something new to me,

can someone inform me on what color rings on their leg's mean??

if a bird has an exhibition ring on you will be able to tell its age. Each year corresponds to a different colour.

 

Aussie ring colours.

2001 - Green

2002 - Black

2003 - Red

2004 - Blue

2005 - Purple

2006 - Gold

2007 - Green

2008 - Black

2009 - Red

2010 - Blue

2011 - Purple