Ever since I got George she/he has had these scruffy tail feathers:

 

 

 

(Sorry about the bad quality pics)

 

I've treated for mites, and have her on vitamin supplements... Any ideas? It seems to be affecting her flying (she has difficulty maintaining height). She also hasn't been through her first moult yet.

My birds tails used to get like that when their cage was too small, or when if they have any toys way to close to their perch or any other object that hits the tail, correct me if im wrong

Do you have a picture of the whole bird? To get an idea of it's general appearance, also do you know age of bird? It should moult at roughly 3 mths of age.

 

This is George.

 

The cage they're in at the moment is big - about 100 longx50x50. And the perches aren't near any toys and sufficient distance from the cage. But the feathers have been like this since I got him/her, so I'm thinking it could be from her original home, even though they were in an aviary when I got them.

Weird that he/she is the only one with this issue though. :/

 

And I think they're just about three months - the two boys are starting to moult, so he/she should start soon.

I think George looks fine, maybe his tail feathers are a bit messy from the nest box. I'd see how he goes after he has had his first moult. Nice little fellow.

He looks pretty healthy. Maybe it's from other birds in that aviary biting on his tail. Nutritional issues could also be a factor. Have you tried to get them to eat veggies? Since they are young, it shouldn't take too long for them to pick up on it, and a variety of veggies is good for their health.

Unfortunately tail feathers aren't a problem for George anymore - we got home yesterday evening to find him/her dead on the floor of the cage. I'm heartbroken - George was the friendliest budgie I've ever met, and such a good looking bird. I have no idea what happened! He/she was fine yesterday morning - flying around, chirping and mussing up my hair. No blood or vomit or mess. Just lying on the cage floor. Still and cold. Poor beautiful creature. :*( I know we'd only had George for a week, but we'd bonded. It almost makes me want to give up on my ideas of eventually breeding.

 

And as for nutrition, I've been giving them fresh veg every day, and fruit every second but so far none of them (the young ones or the older) are interested. Not even a nibble.

So sorry about George, even in a week you get attached to them. Don't give up with your plans to breed, we all lose birds for one reason or another sometimes without knowing the cause. As for the vegies, keep trying it took 2 yrs before mine decided to try carrot not just the leaves. l.o.l.

Oh, I'm so sorry about George!

 

When you breed, you have to be prepared for these things to happen sometimes. But fortunately, it is pretty rare, I think. I've only ever had two drop dead from unknown causes, in my four years. They were both around 5-7 months old.

 

Since you only had him a week, will the breeder you got him from give you a replacement? Some won't, but you could ask.

 

One tip I would give you, is to never pick out one that has anything questionable about it. So skip the ones with ratty tails. (Don't mean to criticize George, he looked fine, but maybe there really was a connection.) Make sure their eyes are bright and healthy looking, and their nostrils and ceres and vents are clean. Check their behavior to make sure they are strong and active, and not tired and listless.

 

(These are just general guidelines for the benefit of anyone who may be reading, not directed at you and your breeder specifically.) In general, if I'm looking at a seller's birds, and I see any at all in the group that have obvious signs of illness, I take a pass on all of that seller's birds. If one is sick, the others could be unaffected, but still carriers. And your birds at home may not have the same immunities.

 

As for the veggies, you might try mixing up what form you offer them. Try chopped, grated, cut in match sticks. You might stumble across a form that perks their curiosity and interest. Some of my birds tried greens when I offered them sliced into shreds. Once they try one form, they will be more likely to try the others. Good luck.