Hi everyone,

 

I did a check of all my birds for scale today because I noticed one of them had some around his beak. The rest of them were fine and I will keep checking them daily for a few more weeks.

 

My problem is this: I caught my hen Speedo very easily because she was unable to fly. The reason for this was obvious when I picked her up and couldn't close my hand around her! She was given to us after she flew into someone's garage and their dog made it impossible for them to keep her. When we got her from that family she was a little on the heavy side already, but in the year since she has really become very obese. I couldn't weigh her exactly because our scales are broken at the moment but from holding her in one hand and comparing her to my iPhone she was heavier- obviously not a good sign as my phone weighs 112g!

 

A few of our other 12 budgies are solidish too and I am wondering what I can do to stop this wirght problem.

 

They have seed (no wheat or sunflower), maleluca branches, bottlebrush branches, grevillea branches, tree fern fronds and carrot and apple when we have spare.

 

Any suggestions are welcome. I am thinking of taking Speedo to the vet in the meantime as well to see what they say.

 

Thanks in advance!

Hi What's the seed your giving them??? Carrot & apple is not enough, they need more variety of veg & fruit.

don't know about the branches.....B.J.

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The branches are all Australian natives. What should I give them as well/instead of carrot and apple? Seed mix is premium budgie mix from birdworld. The weeros/teils in the aviary with the budgies don't seem to have this weight problem, is that just because they metabolise differently?

Hi All the normal veg that you eat. Raw, cooked whole or chopped up. All fruit you eat dried or fresh. Except Avocado. Some strains of budgies, often call English Budgies but are in fact drop-outs from the Show breeders

birds are not as active the normal small pet type bird & so have a tendency to put on weight ..B.J.

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Edited January 10, 201312 yr by Bird Junky

hmmm, maybe this is her problem... i will still be keeping an eye on her though!

I agree with BJ that they need a more varied diet. When you give them the native branches, are they full of leaves, that then get devoured? Because that is a good source of greens. But how often do they get fresh ones? Other good greens are collard greens, kale, spinach, beet greens and swiss chard, which I guess you guys call silverbeet over there.