I have a femal parakeet who has never come into contact with a male.

She all of a sudden last night staerted sleeping non stop.....which is uncommon for her.

she continues to do this today as well.

 

She has a crusted brown beak, and has shed feathers 3 weeks ago.

She has been eating, and drinking, playing and chirpin just as normal until yesterday afternoon (towards dinner)

 

I put a heating pad under the cage, and covered her up halfway.

 

Now she is extremley quiet, puffed up, eating a little by little every hour or so, hanging uot outside the nezsting box I put in her cage.

 

She will not actually go in the nest box though.

 

I am concenred that she is going to not pass the eggs and I don't know if there is anything else that I can be doing for her to help her out, but still give her her privacy to be able to do this......... HELP!?!

I think you need to take her to an avian vet. She doesn't sound well to me.

 

How have you come to the conclusion that she's egg bound? Being overly puffy and sleepy is usually a sign of illness, so it could be a number of things besides egg binding that's making her act this way.

 

Also, just curious, why does she have a nest box?

Yes I'm confused with the box as well since she had never come into contact with a male ??

 

Does she have a lump or swollen vent area? just before laying an agg you can see that sometimes, other times it's just a inlarged vent. Other signs of egg binding are sitting on the ground for long times, and straining to lay the egg. It sounds like she is ill and needs to see a vet. Many illnesses start off as a sleeping, fluffy bird.

 

I would remove the box any eggs she does lay will be clear (empty) and budgies eggs are not big enough to make an omlete with to be bothered. Hens don't need to ley eggs all the time like chickens. Remove of the box stops this behavour and as you know now the troube that can happen when budgies start to lay eggs. Also she might never stop laying once she starts.

Vet time as soon as possible, I was wondering about the nest box as well, like why is there one around if one is not breeding. I hope your little girl makes out okay, she sounds sick and anything could be happening, good luck to you.

How old is your bird? I am confused as to why you think she may be egg bound. The birds I have seen that have been "egg bound" usually sort of squat...leaning foward almost laying flat on their tummies, feathers are raised/fluffed up, eyes closed and their tails go up and down or side to side these are in the early stages if the egg is not passed exaustion takes over and the hen will die If she is egg bound she will have a bulge in her lower stomach area above the vent, toward the front.

I have taken our Tabitha to the vet. I found a bird vet in our area. They asked me to leave her there for the day to observe her and check her out, so she is there now and I am waiting to hear from them.

 

Thank you to anyone who replied I appreciate the time and effort.

 

We felt it better for her to be seen by a professional.

 

Thank you again

That's good news, I hope they get her feeling better soon.

Tabitha is home! YAY!

 

She has an inner ear infection that they are treating her for.

 

God I hope we didnt contract that to her by going to the pet store the other day (even though we did NOT touch any other birds)

 

I bought Tabitha for my mom's birthday a year ago and you know it's amazing she cost us $30 but we are willing to spend $300 for her health care

 

it is amazing what such a small creature can do for someone

 

Thank god I went to the vet :angel1:

That's the best news I've heard all day. She's very lucky to have such loving owners!

That's wonderful! I'm really pleased for you and your little darling.

:hap: That is great news that she is okay and now let's take that nesting box away as it can only lead to trouble if you are not breeding and it doesn't appear you are. :hap:

Yay! Great news! And yes, they start off as a 'cheap' pet, and somehow worm their little way into our hearts! lTotally understand why you would spend a fortune on her - just don't expect her to appreciate what you've done for her :(Laughing out loud):