Until recently, Marigold has been in he hospital cage as she seemed to be 'eggnant'. I was forced to move her out with the other budgies as we were going away and she wouldn't be fed if she was in the hospital cage. Now I've noticed that she still seems 'eggnant' but hasn't passed any eggs. So now I'm worried about tumours. I asked dad to let me take her to a vet for a check up if I pay, but as budgies are 'disposable', according to dad, I'm not getting anywhere. Mum is more persuasive, she might. The lump is squishy, but looks really nasty. Poor girl. I'm trying to get to a vet. Is it a fatty tumour? Or internal laying? Picture shortly.

Sounds like internal egglaying.

Could I have some info on internal laying, please?

Well, I'm not sure if it is the right thing to do, but I couldn't find any info on internal egg laying. I'm having no luck convincing dad to take her to a vet, so mum suggested giving her a nest box so she could pass the egg. I did, and I've never seen Marigold look so happy. I separated Marigold and Skye from the rest by putting a barrier in. The barrier is mesh with NO gaps and newspaper covering it. I'm wondering if it is the right thing to do?

Wrong thing to do. Internal egglaying means there is no fully formed egg to lay.

 

 

best thing to do when you want a budgie expert is ask mum and dad.........they would know way more than we would here

Thank you. I'll remove the nest box. Is there anything I can do?

Thank you. I'll remove the nest box. Is there anything I can do?

She really needs a large aviary to fly in and to holiday in. You dont have one do you ? Might help her muscle tone.

Shame you parents won't let you seek professional help and shame you do not have space for flying for your bird. Shame for your bird

Shame you parents won't let you seek professional help and shame you do not have space for flying for your bird. Shame for your bird

 

Agreed

 

Maybe you should invest in a small aviary? I have one for when I started getting series, a small 1m squared one. It helped the birds stretch their wings and let them forage on the ground. You could also get more birds, or maybe breed seriously if you wanted It isn't fair for the birds to be cooped up in cages. Sure, maybe 3 or 4, but once your flock getts to big (6?) you really need to let them fly.

I have almost saved up for a bigger cage and I have a wooden frame that would be perfect for a small aviary that I need to get some proper wire for. My current cage is 100 times 60 times 150cm. I have divided it up so they get more flight (100 times 60 times 75cm ). I'm feeling terrible, I didn't know that internal egg laying was when there was an unformed egg. I thought it was where a hen didn't lay because of no nesting space. I should have thought it through really and asked you guys first. I have a LONG way to go.... Off to a store tomorrow to look at a great cage there and that calcium water stuff ( calcivet?). Would that help? Marigold is pretty good with her weight now, even maybe a tiny bit on the thin side. I don't blame you guys for being mad at me, I would too.

We are not mad at you, we just realise that beginners, and especially younger beginners, often rush into things without considering all the options, in this case, the need for room, flight space, and money to pay vet bills.

 

our concern is for the birds' welfare.

We are not mad at you, we just realise that beginners, and especially younger beginners, often rush into things without considering all the options, in this case, the need for room, flight space, and money to pay vet bills.

 

our concern is for the birds' welfare.

I agree with Dave. I am not mad at you either, but do feel somewhat helpless and feel like giving you advice could be wasted.

I agree with you.

 

As I was putting the nest box away in the shed today I took the lid off.... and found an egg??? It isn't deformed at all? I'm not sure of what to make of it. She still seems 'eggnant', though less than yesterday.... What happened!?

 

When she was in the hospital cage she never dropped an egg? I got out the possible future frame for an aviary today. All I need to do is put wire on it, thoroughly clean it and add a back. Should be the perfect job for my dad. Almost got enough for the cage I've been saving up for. I've already got a quarantine/hospital cage and two travel cages. I'm going to get some calcium stuff to put in her water today and some toys.

Edited October 2, 201014 yr by Ratzy

While I was out mum put the nest box and egg back in . When I went to remove it the egg was warm so I left it. Do I just chuck it out?

While I was out mum put the nest box and egg back in . When I went to remove it the egg was warm so I left it. Do I just chuck it out?

 

Ratzy, you need to sit down with your parents and talk to them about your birds. You need to make clear understanding of what can and cannot be done.

You need to remove the egg and the nest box right now. Marigold is sick, and right now the worst thing for her to do is lay eggs, even if it didn't involve internal egglaying (or what ever the sickness is) You need to rest the poor bird, she is worn out.

 

Whenever I make a series choice on my birds eg. buying a new aviary, going to an auction, I make it clear to my parents what I would like them to help me do, and ask if it is alright. Just the other night while I was helping Mum peel the carrots, I asked her to not go into my room as often as I had a sick hen in there. Also to not touch it, open cage or anything. I made it clear it was a sick bird that needed the lamp on, and to be left undisturbed. She agreed to this once I explained a few things and reasons. This way, you are also educating your parents knowledge on birds.

 

I don't mean this in any type of offensive way, it is just a pity when a bird is sick and some people do the wrong thing without knowing it or being told about it.

Thank you Squeak. No, it isn't offensive at all, I needed it.

Like I said before..........I feel a lot of advice we give you is wasted if you have your parents making opposing decisions for your birds. You may as well not ask us and just let them do what they like.

While I was out mum put the nest box and egg back in . When I went to remove it the egg was warm so I left it. Do I just chuck it out?

 

Ratzy, you need to sit down with your parents and talk to them about your birds. You need to make clear understanding of what can and cannot be done.

You need to remove the egg and the nest box right now. Marigold is sick, and right now the worst thing for her to do is lay eggs, even if it didn't involve internal egglaying (or what ever the sickness is) You need to rest the poor bird, she is worn out.

 

Whenever I make a series choice on my birds eg. buying a new aviary, going to an auction, I make it clear to my parents what I would like them to help me do, and ask if it is alright. Just the other night while I was helping Mum peel the carrots, I asked her to not go into my room as often as I had a sick hen in there. Also to not touch it, open cage or anything. I made it clear it was a sick bird that needed the lamp on, and to be left undisturbed. She agreed to this once I explained a few things and reasons. This way, you are also educating your parents knowledge on birds.

 

I don't mean this in any type of offensive way, it is just a pity when a bird is sick and some people do the wrong thing without knowing it or being told about it.

 

squeek this is fantastic advice

the bird to me sounds like needs a rest

also its not hard to find cheep aviary flight on e bay

even a old double door dresser ( cupboard) from an op shop and cover the front

 

how many birds do you have now ratzy and is marigold your only breeder ??

Had a quick look on ebay, couldn't find anything in your area. But try looking in your local paper on the weekend, I know we have a pet classified section and you see aviaries in it alot of the time.

Edited October 2, 201014 yr by KAZ

Thanks. Egg and nest box removed, I've decided on keeping the divider in the cage. I will have one part for females and one for males, so if any eggs pop up in future I don't have to worry about them being fertile. Dad's given the go ahead with the cage I was planning on buying. I have 5 birds. My cage is 100 times 60 times 150cm. Divided the two parts are 100 time 60 times 75cm. Marigold is my only female breeder. I have the perfect frame for a small aviary, it just needs a clean, some wire and a back.

Hey, Ratzy, I just went back to review all your other topics about Marigold. It seems that every time she is about to lay an egg, you jump to the conclusion that she might have a tumor. Now, I don't know how common tumors are, but it seems to me that you should stop getting paranoid about tumors.

 

So far, other than the other hen attacking her, Marigold hasn't had any health issues, or been sick at all. But she has been yo-yo-ing back and forth between a nest box and a hospital cage for about 6 weeks now.

 

You need to decide (with your parents) whether you want her to breed, or rest. If the answer is rest, like you have been advised by a lot of people, then you need to STOP GIVING HER NEST BOXES!

 

If she is stubbornly laying eggs in the main cage, which she seems to do whenever you put her back in there, then you need to STOP PUTTING HER IN THE MAIN CAGE!

 

Every time you are worried about Marigold, the problem is nothing more than that she wants to lay eggs. And you are sending her mixed signals by constantly giving her a box, letting her lay an egg or two, and then taking it all away and putting her in the hospital. Then it's back into the main cage, where she tries to lay again.

 

Seriously, can you ask your parents to read your topics on here? Your mom sounds like she cares, and wants to do the best thing for Marigold, she just doesn't know what the best thing is.

 

IF you have to go away, and you HAVE to put her in the main cage, then as soon as you get back, you need to separate her out again.

 

I have no problem with you breeding Marigold, if you're sure she's in good enough condition. But you need to figure out what you're going to do, and then STICK WITH IT.

 

This isn't meant to be harsh. You just need to stop confusing your poor bird.

Hey, Ratzy, I just went back to review all your other topics about Marigold. It seems that every time she is about to lay an egg, you jump to the conclusion that she might have a tumor. Now, I don't know how common tumors are, but it seems to me that you should stop getting paranoid about tumors.

 

So far, other than the other hen attacking her, Marigold hasn't had any health issues, or been sick at all. But she has been yo-yo-ing back and forth between a nest box and a hospital cage for about 6 weeks now.

 

You need to decide (with your parents) whether you want her to breed, or rest. If the answer is rest, like you have been advised by a lot of people, then you need to STOP GIVING HER NEST BOXES!

 

If she is stubbornly laying eggs in the main cage, which she seems to do whenever you put her back in there, then you need to STOP PUTTING HER IN THE MAIN CAGE!

 

Every time you are worried about Marigold, the problem is nothing more than that she wants to lay eggs. And you are sending her mixed signals by constantly giving her a box, letting her lay an egg or two, and then taking it all away and putting her in the hospital. Then it's back into the main cage, where she tries to lay again.

 

Seriously, can you ask your parents to read your topics on here? Your mom sounds like she cares, and wants to do the best thing for Marigold, she just doesn't know what the best thing is.

 

IF you have to go away, and you HAVE to put her in the main cage, then as soon as you get back, you need to separate her out again.

 

I have no problem with you breeding Marigold, if you're sure she's in good enough condition. But you need to figure out what you're going to do, and then STICK WITH IT.

 

This isn't meant to be harsh. You just need to stop confusing your poor bird.

totally agree

No more nest boxes for this year for her. I will talk to mum in the morning. As I said, from tomorrow onwards she is going to be in an all-girl cage so hopefully no more eggs. Poor Marigold must be confused. Thank you for taking the time to write that out, Finnie. It doesn't seem at all harsh to me. Next year I may breed Marigold again, I'll see. Next year I might get more serious in breeding, and upgrade my cages before the start of next year ( fingers crossed for an aviary ) and buy a mate for Chubba Chubs, to see if I can possibly breed another green tail. The chicks will be a year old in mid February, so I may play around with the green tail after they've moulted ( April ?). Marigold will have about a 6 month rest, so she may have another chance at rearing young in February-March. Thanks for everybody's help.

All girl cage sounds like a good plan for Marigold.

No more nest boxes for this year for her. I will talk to mum in the morning. As I said, from tomorrow onwards she is going to be in an all-girl cage so hopefully no more eggs. Poor Marigold must be confused. Thank you for taking the time to write that out, Finnie. It doesn't seem at all harsh to me. Next year I may breed Marigold again, I'll see. Next year I might get more serious in breeding, and upgrade my cages before the start of next year ( fingers crossed for an aviary ) and buy a mate for Chubba Chubs, to see if I can possibly breed another green tail. The chicks will be a year old in mid February, so I may play around with the green tail after they've moulted ( April ?). Marigold will have about a 6 month rest, so she may have another chance at rearing young in February-March. Thanks for everybody's help.

 

Hi Ratzy.

That sound like a good plan. I would love to see the aviary progress, so we can offer you tips etc. and just view the journey of you building it. Another way of getting an aviary $ to work out a shared plan. I payed $200 for my current aviary (which I have just finsihed paying off, YES!) and my parents payed for $50 of it and a $20 delivery fee. I am not sure how your parents woudl take it, as every one is different, but my parents decided if I was mature and responsible enough to spend $200 on something I would use, not just a phone I would get bored with or something, they helped encourage it

 

Also, in regards to finding a mate for Chubba Chubs, ishtarsands has a green tailed hen, so you may want to look into somehow working something out with them. In the topic "New Hen" I think. Also, Instead of buying in a new bird if it is recessive, you would do better tyring to breed him back to his mother. (if it is on her side that is) or trying to get them to have another chick that is a hen.

Edited October 2, 201014 yr by Squeak_Crumble