I noticed this afternoon on of my bush budgies had lost his tail...........on further inspection he has a VERY long beak and I am thinking feather loss around the eyes.

He has no poopy bum and is VERY active, but in saying that a bit thin......probably due to the beak ????

 

I have decided to trim the beak (never done this though), and dose with ivomec and isolation, and watch closely to ensure he is eating over the next few days.

 

What may cause this?? Should I be concerned with the flock??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beak after a trim......man was he flighty and bitey !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I hope I have done the right thing, there was a small amount of blood, I used a tiny amount of pepper, I'd rather a bad taste then to bleed.......................He seems fine jumping round the cage.............

 

 

I dont think the flock is at risk and I applaude you for close observation and good choices made to remedy the whole situation. Well done

Thank you Kaz.....it means a lot coming from someone with your experience....

 

Why would he get this though??

 

Those who remember my posts know that I have bought birds with scaley face, but I have ALWAYS quarantined properly, for 3 months with at least 10 feet apart, always cleaning quarantine birds last etc........

 

Have I caused this ??????????

I once had a pair who developed scalyface while raising chicks and feeding their chicks. Of course I was worried thinking it was highly contagious. But I treated them and allowed them to continue feeding their babies.

 

One of their babies got scalyface.................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three years later.

 

I am of the opinion ( right or wrong ) birds can carry things........even scalyface and it only takes hold once their immune system is down.

I have no idea what would cause this to happen but from the looks of his head he is going through a moult (and that could be due to the stress of being sick) but I would agree with KAZ, you've acted promptly and I think you should feel good about your actions. Birds get sick sometimes even when we try our hardest to make sure they are in a healthy safe environment. Do what you are doing, keep your eye's on him and monitor how he comes along.

Edited October 19, 201014 yr by JimmyBanks

Thanks for your input Kaz and Jimmy......I will keep a close eye on him for sure.

Just an update on this.......The little bushie is going well except I had to trim the beak again today......is this something that I'll have to keep doing?

Just an update on this.......The little bushie is going well except I had to trim the beak again today......is this something that I'll have to keep doing?

With this particular bird ? Most likely YES

Thanks Kaz...... can he go back in the avairy or is this condition contagious?? Other than the beak growing he seems very healthy.....

He wouldnt be contagious and can be in the aviary between beak trims

Thanks Kaz....

It looks like this is your birds first moult. If so it could have a very mild form of french moult. Mild enough that it only lost tail feathers. Sometimes what comes along with this problem is excessive beak growth. The beak usually also appears thinner than usual and sometimes flaky in appearance. If this is so you will need to keep triming the beak. The tail feather may grow back.