I got back from school today and my budgies were fluffed up on the perch, not moving about. This has come on in the past few days, triggered by the decrease in temperature I think, I actually had them in the hospital cage until mum put them back in while I was at school. Yesterday I realised I was short of seed and told mum to get some ( not her fault ) but she didn't. Today I got a load of seed for them and they were starved. About 5 days ago I made a hospital cage for them ( I get 'feelings' when something is going to happen, weird) and I've set it up. They are in it now with seed, water, a warm lamp and hotwater bottle and a dark bit with not as much heat and light. They have been recovering ever since they warmed up but I am still wary. I think it is the cold, there is no other symptom and they are still eating/drinking/playing. I won't be able to get to a vet until Monday now and I have no local avian vet. I think it will start to get warmer soon and this is as cold as it gets. What do you guys think? They are pretty healthy apart from this, except Marigold is maybe a bit overweight ( everyone excuses her as she does have a large frame ). They are doing well at the moment and are almost back to normal. I am very worried though.

Cold yes....but also seems like they may have run out of food. The thing is they eat heaps more in winter in order to keep warm through the night....you simply must keep more seed than you think you will need........a whole packet or a whole bag in advance of your needs so you NEVER RUN OUT.

Put it in the freezer if you have to and forget its there till you run out and even then have an extra bag or pack in advance.

When I run down to 20 kilos of seed I buy another 80 kilos. I dont wait till I am down to the scrapings of the seed drum.

Winter they eat twice as much. Remember that.

Thankyou! I haven't kept this many birds through the winter outdoors before. I'll double their food now!

Thankyou! I haven't kept this many birds through the winter outdoors before. I'll double their food now!

 

 

Winter and breeding they will eat you out of house and home

Thankyou! I haven't kept this many birds through the winter outdoors before. I'll double their food now!

 

 

Winter and breeding they will eat you out of house and home

 

 

Don't I know

Thankyou! I haven't kept this many birds through the winter outdoors before. I'll double their food now!

 

 

Winter and breeding they will eat you out of house and home

 

 

Don't I know

:rofl: sorry that was just funny comming from u darl my bad :rofl:

Thankyou! I haven't kept this many birds through the winter outdoors before. I'll double their food now!

Winter and breeding they will eat you out of house and home

and wallet! Like Kaz had said, you should always keep extra seed on hand. Having a couple dishes in there on hand are good. If you are worried you are low and seed, and can't get some until the next day, make up some budgie bread, cous cous or soft food for them

Edited July 23, 201014 yr by KAZ

Thanks! They are ready to go back outside today after I clean out the cage and make another feeding platform. They had full crops last night when I went to bed. I have a few more dishes that I disinfected. I am cuddeling Lex at the moment.