How much WET is too much (i.e. bath)?

[BudgieLoverNY]

Hi,

My budgies are all under 10 weeks and I am getting them used to water in a simple sink with a trickle of warm (but not hot of course) water into a dish with some roamain lettuce on the floor of the sink. They chirp the whole time (not sure of in protest or fun) and scurry off to the side. Sometimes they chance out under the trickle then run back to the corner. Eventually they get really wet. Sometimes I help by having them step up and passing them under the gentle stream.

I turn off the AC so there's no draft and I let them dry by the window with sunlight warming them.

My question for the experienced is, is there a point where there is too much water? Can water go into their "nostrils" of their cere and cause trouble? Can a budgie can get sick from a good wash if there's no cold air and he's dried well in warmth?

Thanks!

[Hezz]

Your problem is that the wings are clipped and therefore the birds cannot escape the water. Budgies are a desert bird; they have not evolved to get wet every day. They are built to self-regulate with preening oil and keep themselves clean without our interference. I think you are running the risk of compromising the health of their feathers by washing them too often. Instead of what you are doing, why not give them a bowl .... something like a pie plate ..... with a little water in it, add a sprig of something green, whatever they might like and allow them to do it for themselves?? Because they have been washed within an inch of their little lives so far , it might be weeks before they decide they want to on their own; they may never want to again! That should be their choice. Budgies are not dirty things; they are forever preening themselves, all for the health of their feathers.

And yes, to your other question; they can get water into their lungs, just like we can. They can get pneumonia and respiratory problems, just like we do.

Just so you know that I am not just mouthing off, regarding the feather health ..... and this is an extreme, I realise, but my little sick hen had a growth on her preening gland a few years ago, so she now does not have one, so no oil. Her feathers do not have the ability to repel water like the others, it is only since she had the op that she has ever had a bath, but now with all the meds she has been on, and the failures that brings, I have tried to wash these off her. The feathers around her head are in terrible condition, all dry and frayed, whereas before although they felt and smelt different, they didn't actually look too different. When I say, I have washed around her face, that is only washing/wiping with a wet cloth, water only.

Please don't take this all as criticism; it is not meant to be. I would be concerned though, that their health could be compromised.

[sarah*glittergirl2212]

I'm sorry I don't really know the answer but if they run into the water then they must enjoy it, though I'm not sure if i'd run the tap on them as well. What I do know is that it's really important that they are fully dry before bedtime. It sounds like you are doing it very sensibly by giving them a warm room to dry off in, and you are right that a draft would be bad for a damp budgie. My gut feeling is that it is Ok for them to get a bit wet as long as they can fully dry very quickly afterwards.
I hope someone who actually knows can help you with a definite answer soon!

[sarah*glittergirl2212]

Ignore my post, Hezz is much more likely to know than me, so go with what she says! I agree that every day is too much, mine have a bird bath a couple of times a week and they have never all decided to use it every time, it is just there for the option.

[Hezz]

Tutt, girl! All opinions are valuable and we all do different things. I certainly don't know everything.

[BudgieLoverNY]

Thanks! Learning every day. The reason I started putting them in the trickle of sink water was because they would never use the bowl with water or show any interest in wet leaves to roll in. I will cut back and see what happens.

[juliebetty]

www.facebook.com/julie.clarkson.9828/videos/939431102735313/?l=2495506973766375195


This is my Betty having her morning shower, she loves water x

[Billy's Dad]

My Billy having a bath.
There is only about a teaspoonful of water here believe it or not.

[rio13]

I just can't get over how cute wet budgies look! When Rio gets a nice mist he looks like we just pulled him out of a washing machine Sorry I have no practical advice to offer, but maybe try misting them if you're worried about how wet they get? That way you can control the amount of water they bathe in.