New Budgie Worries

[ambivalence]

Hi, so I have a budgie named Foggy. I got him only a month or two ago, and from a previous owner that did not care for him properly. I've given him everything necessary and he seems to be getting comfortable for the most part. He's warming up to me with the exercises we've been doing together. What I'm concerned about is that yesterday I noticed that the longer feathers on his right wing are scattered at the bottom of that cage. I don't know what about his environment might cause this. He's spooked fairly easily, but his cage is in a large bedroom that is rarely disturbed by anyone but me. There is a space heater in the room I use to keep it warm enough for him, and sometimes he looks spooked when it turns on, but really that's all I can think of. Is he depressed or something?

[Marianne Marlow]

Welcome to you and Foggy.

It could be that he's moulting, any chance you can take a clear photo of him and his feathers?

Well done for taking him on.

[OP]

Welcome to the forum. It may be that your little Foggy is moulting. It si the time of year in this part of the world. To help us give you better or more accurate advice we could do with a picutre or two. Also just watch out to make sure that he isn't pulling the feathers.

[ambivalence]

Thanks a bunch for your quick replies!
Sorry to ask, but as I'm new here I'm not sure how to attach the picture.

[suesbird]

In the quick reply box there is an Add image to post, you find your photo, resize for proboards and tick family safe. press upload image. Or use Photobucket or other picture hosting sites.

One of mine is moulting terrible.

[splodge]

Georgie is moulting too. He's gone from looking totally stunning to rocking a "street urchin/close shave with a cat" look. One morning, there were so many feathers on the bottom of the cage, I expected to find a naked budgie!

Can I suggest moving Foggy to a room that is used by everyone in the household? Forgive me if I've misunderstood your post but I get the impression he is away from it all. They do better with company as they are flock birds. It means he'll get used to you much quicker too.

[ambivalence]

Thank you!
Here is the picture.

i1284.photobucket.com/albums/a567/emmalinesimonson/Mobile%20Uploads/20160422_062611_zpsvyly7mew.jpg

[suesbird]

Lovely little birdy. He looks better than my Pippin, Pippin has a bloody head above his cere and looks balb.

[ambivalence]

I have considered getting another budgie to keep him company while I'm away at school. I'm not sure that I'd be able to move him to a busier spot, but would getting him a friend help?

[ambivalence]

I should mention that with his previous owner, he shared a cage and was very friendly with another budgie. They were even preparing a nest for eggs when the female passed away.

[milliej]

If he's had a mate before he may be lonely especially if he's on his own a lot of the time with no other source of interplay? Another male even, doesn't have to be female? Hope it all works our for you and Foggy oh and welcome!

[Hezz]

Here's Foggy:



Has he had his wings clipped at all? Just that that photo shows him with absolutely no flight feathers on the side we can see, but some on the other side away from the camera. Moulting is a very natural thing, the old feathers fall out and given a few days to a week the new feathers are noticeable as spiky growths, particularly on their heads. They can be rather itchy and a misting with tepid water can help them with that. They can also become quieter and less active, even grumpy, during this time. Boil him up an egg and feed a little of it to him, or get some commercial eggfood and add this to his cage, either in a separate pot or sprinkled over his seed, to help his protein levels while he is moulting.

splodge's suggestion of moving him into the main part of the house is a good one; birds really do much better with action happening around them. They like to feel part of things. Another bird can help, but if you have two birds caged in another part of the house you are going to end up with two birds, well bonded but who will have nothing to do with a human.

Just having another look at Foggy, he has been moulting for a little while, probably only noticeable as small downy feathers on the floor of the cage, you can see some pin feathers on his head. The larger flight feathers moult just the same as the others but are more confronting if you are not expecting them. I am sure Foggy is fine, just moulting.