Budgie constantly chewing by member Bert123

[bert123]

Apologies for reviving this old topic. Our male budgie shows similar behaviour to this, but additionally loses food out of his beak while doing so. Over the last two years this has increased, up to the point where he now very heavily responds to eating seeds (heavy and involuntary head bobbing, not throwing up). When on a pellet diet, the head bobbing disappears but losing food out of his beak while "nibbling" remains (the behavior is hard to describe but it is similar to beak grinding). Giving a single seed results in almost immediate and heavy head bobbing.

Testing (blood, feces, x-ray with barium contrast) ruled out all the usual suspects (Tricho, giardia, megabacteria, Chlamydia). So far, blood samples have only indicated increased CK levels, and crop samples indicate bacterial overgrowth of his crop (likely a secondary problem).

Is there anyone that has more experience with this problem? We are running out of ideas an options for treatment.

[Marianne Marlow]

To me if you're offering him seeds and he head bobs chews and "loses seeds" it sounds like he's trying to feed you.

[Marianne Marlow]

How is he doing now? How are his droppings looking?

Photo would be good too. Better still, a video of his exhibiting this behaviour.

[bert123]

It's not a feeding behavior for sure! (I mean, we've now seen a few vets and they agree that there is a sickness underlaying the issue). I have some video recordings, but it doesn't seem the forum allows to upload any?

[bert123]

I see that the topic I intended this to be posted didn't come with, but for reference it was this one: budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/1014/budgie-constantly-working-bill-chewing.