Weight loss while molting?

[rae]

Basal has been going through a molt. I'm assuming this could be a stress molt because it started only a few days after bringing him home, but it could be just timing that we got him right before his usual molting range time.
He gets a little egg yolk, sweet corn, grated carrot, and the tops of broccoli every night. I try to give him just what he will eat in a few hours time so there isn't a lot of waste. I'm still trying to get him onto more veggies, but these mentioned he has been consistently eating and not throwing out of his egg right now. I also mix a little seed in just to get him started on the egg mix if he's not sure that night.
He always has his seed mix available and I get rid of the husks every morning, and sometimes afternoon too. I've watched him eat and I would say he eats pretty well, a good amount for that small body.
At the vet yesterday they weighed him and he's lost 2 grams over the past 2 weeks. We was just getting his pinfeathers starting when we took him the first time.
Could this weight loss be from molting? I'd like to get him back up because he was about 35 grams before and that seems a good weight for him (I've read the budgies we get in the US are smaller than those commonly gotten in the UK, I could be wrong).
If it's not from molting, or him still adjusting to his new home, what foods could I offer to help him?

[jellybean]

I hope this gives you a bit of a help rae

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/509/fresh-foods-offer-budgie

[rae]

Thank you. I've read through that thread but which foods might help him gain weight?

[jellybean]

I hope someone with more experience will help you here rae. But when you had him weighed at the vet did he/she mention that he was underweight?  I don't actually know what weight a budgie should be, but from what I have read on the forum, their weight seems to fluctuate.

[rae]

The vet didn't comment on it, just that he had lost 2 grams. But that's why I'm wondering if maybe it is common for them to lose a little when molting with all the energy they use for it.

[Budgies Retreat]

You could try feeding some oats, groats, or anything that has high carbs (even bread) and if you haven't done so yet, look at the range of supplements from the Bird Care Co. They do a moult supplement to help the bird along.

[OP]

Do you think you may be trying too hard. I don't know how often you are changing the diet. What are his poops like. I mean it wouldn't take many poops to lose 2 grams, so is he pooping to often?

[rae]

I change the whole diet probably once a week if it looks like he's gotten through most or all of what I add to it through the week. I'm not sure if I can explain it right. He's never wanting for food but I do completely change it to prevent any nasties. He doesn't poop in his food or at least not that I've seen in checking.
I'm honestly not sure what pooping too much would be for a budgie. His poops look normal and the vet said they looked normal.

[Hezz]

Two grams over two weeks doesn't really even need mentioning, in my opinion. Particularly with him moulting. If you were seriously concerned with his weight, you would need to be weighing him every day at the same time, on the same set of scales. That way you could see if a trend was emerging or whether this was just a fluctuation. If you are serious about adding weight to him (beware what you wish for), then oats, sesame seeds, linseed ........ any of the oil seeds ....... could be added. These are generally restricted in the budgie mixes because of their high oil content.

If the vet had said he was underweight, then try to build him up by all means, but otherwise I would leave well enough alone. Why not ring the vet and ask the question?

[rae]

Thank you Hezz, and everyone that has replied really. Still a nervous pet parent here. I believe he is finishing his molt so I'll keep an eye on him (I only see one pin feather right now). The vet didn't seem concerned. I believe she would have said something. The only thing she has brought up that I didn't like was wanting me to offer Basal hard cheeses.

I wouldn't want to get him overweight, but I'll keep those in mind if there is more concern.

OP I have no doubt you are right and I'm just trying too hard. I want him to be happy and healthy and it took me years to stop worrying about my cats when I first got them. That might be a little exaggeration, lol.

[OP]

Basal will give you plenty to worry about, they are good at that, but it usually is nothing.