Simon has only grown one set of flight feathers...

[bubblegumblo]

Hello all! I'm new here, so I apologize if I have created this post in the wrong place.

I am just a tad worried about one of my English Budgies Simon. I have owned him for 3 months, and he is currently around 5 months old. I bought him from a reputable breeder who hand tames and hand feeds her budgies before adopting them out. I had a great experience with her, and if she weren't so far away from where I live now, I would be her customer again! The breeder had his wings clipped (I'm not actually sure if she clipped them or if she had an avian vet clip him, but I will throw out a guess that she did since she deals with that frequently).

Simon has finally begun his first moult since I purchased him, and for the last two weeks there have been pin feathers showing on his head, and the flight feathers on his left wing have emerged. I am concerned that the flight feathers on his right wing have not appeared after two and a half weeks of moulting. I have not taken him to see an avian vet about this, since he is not showing any signs of sickness other than some slight lethargy, which I suspect is from moulting. I allow my budgies to fly freely in my house, as I create a budgie-safe environment and they are never left unattended out of the cage.

Has anyone experienced this lop-sided growth of flight feathers in their own budgies? What are some nutrient-rich food choices I can offer to help him along during this moulting stage?

Thank you for any advice!

-Bubble

[Hezz]

Generally, all flight feathers are not moulted out at during the same moult. This would render the bird unable to fly - not a good thing for a wild bird. It can take a full 12 months for all cut flight feathers to be moulted out. You probably won't have to wait that long, the next moult may well drop the flights on the other wing, and all flights don't need to be complete for the birds to become airborne. This is not uncommon, all you need is a little time and a little patience. Egg (hard-boiled) or dried eggfood are good sources of protein for moulting birds. You can feed them small pieces of cooked chicken, if you wished, as well.

[bubblegumblo]

Thank you Hezz! That makes a lot of sense, and with his one fully grown wing he is able to gain some height. Just not high enough to get back onto the cage by himself!

I have been offering boiled egg (well done boiled egg), but they have never touched it.

Both are super picky, and other than carrot, they don't touch fresh foods or fresh sprouts (which hurts my heart every time because it takes some effort and days to sprout!!!)

I've tried different sizes, diced, chunked, peeled, thin, etc. I've mixed in with their seed mix, I've sprinkled the seed on the fresh food. They just won't touch it, those stubborn little turkeys!

Ah well, I guess this will prepare me for motherhood in real life, no?

Thanks!

[ffiscool]

Have you tried broccoli or sugar snap peas, sweet corn is also good. They like getting the innards out. If tinned it needs to be the no salt one

Also, I used to sit in front of the cage eating veg, making all the mmmm yum noises, it worked for mine

[Hezz]

If he won't try hard-boiled egg, you may have better luck with the commercial dried egg-food. You can feed it on its own, sprinkle over seed or mixed in with a vege chop. If he gets a taste for it, it may just be a way to get him started on a greater variety of fresh food as well.