Budgies gender question

[Marianne Marlow]

I'm unsure of their genders by the photos, they are neither light nor dark blue.. confused.

I am also unsure if that was scalyface or just dirt. It wont hurt to treat them (ivermectin 0.1%) anyway if they were dumped by their owner, it doesn't sound like they were well treated.

Well done for taking them in.

[Hezz]

I'm going to go out on a limb and call them both boys, and I agree with Marianne re whether this is scaly face or not, and that it would be better to treat both birds to be sure.

The green bird is an opaline, the blue is a pied, probably dominant pied.

I also think your green bird has an overgrown beak. This is usually due to a liver issue, usually fatty liver disease, often from a seed-only diet. Getting them onto some fresh veg and herbs (dill is good for healthy liver function) may make some difference to the beak growth, but even if the beak doesn't resolve, he will feel better in himself from having a more healthy liver. Other greens that also help with the liver issue are dandelions, milk thistle, aloe vera juice. Get the birds on to a finch mix will also help limit the amount of fatty seeds usually found in budgie seed mixes - linseed (or flaxseed) and oats are the main culprits.

Also less on the fruits and more on the veg, once they do start eating either ... the sugar content of fruits is an unnecessary calorie load.

[ladybird]

My Charlie doesn’t like misting either, so I try to hide the spray bottle and just give a quick spray into the air....he doesn’t seem to know he has been misted then.....He also wouldn’t go near a dish with any sort of veg in it. ( another fruit and veg hater ).....but he loves a shallow glass lid of warm tepid water. Can you fit one in your cage and just leave it? They don’t come out do they?
He has recently tried and liked mixed lettuce leaves......I know these don’t have much goodness in them, but I think it might lead to other veg....fingers crossed.

[Frosty]

I left the cage door open for a while but they never came out. Then I tricked them coming out but they went back inside within a minute. And yes, I can fit in a glass lid in the cage. Will try that, thanks

[Hezz]

Hmmm, some of those photos are confusing me again, particularly the blue. Some photos look male, others female ...

A pie dish is a good budgie bird bath, something wide enough by not too deep.

[Shirls]

Hello and welcome Frosty. Try hanging a largish bunch of wet basil inside the cage. The birdies will, (if not scared to death of course!!!) bathe into this. Perhaps try a smaller bunch to start with as they may be a bit frightened. My lot love a basil shower!!