Toe tapping.

[rozenda]

I think Olly is 'toe tapping' and I have read on line that it can be too many vitamins and minerals, however I haven't been able to find any suggestions about what to do about it.



Has anyone else had a budgie with it and what did you change in the birds diet ?

For information, the boys are on Trill - not a favourite of some of you I know but the breeder recommended it - they have fresh veg but I kept forgetting fruit so I have some grapes and cress..not a fruit but you get the gist.



They have a mineral block and a cuttlefish.


As a treat I did get some Vitacraft Cocktail as my previous budgie loved it, Olly and Sam have it fortnightly and in a small amount and yes I know fresh is better !, and Sam and Olly had some about 10 days ago. Is it possible that this has sort of 'overdosed' Olly on V and M's ? I thought Sam started doing the same today but I am not sure.



I have booked an appointment to see a vet next week which, even without taxi fares, is going to cost me at least £48 for the consultation.

Olly is not in pain, he uses the foot quite happily but he does preen it a little more than the other one which to me looks like it is annoying him a bit but not causing pain etc, it is not hot or swollen and it stops when he is asleep or snoozing and sometimes doesn't appear until the afternoon.


Much as I love the boys £48 plus taxi fare is a lot of money to pay out if the vet is going to say it is toe tapping and as Olly is very happy, they have been investigating a bath today, and as energetic as ever I am really not keen on taking him to the vet if it is something I can sort out at home.

I am aware that I may come across as a meanie not wanting to spend money on my boys but I am really not sure a vet visit would be worth while.

I also understand that none of you are vets and you can only offer advice through your own experiances which are valuable too.

Thank for reading and, hopefully, not judging me as a mean budgie owner !

[Loz]

My view is if you spend money on an unnecessary vet visit, you might not have the money needed for a necessary one. It's not meanness, it's prudence.

I hope someone can give you some specific advice!

[rozenda]

Thanks Lozhinge, I just didn't want to come across as a mean twit !

[ladybird]

Regarding the toe tapping I can’t help you…. Just want to advise against using Trill it really is full of rubbish. A lot of people including me buy Haiths bird seed…I use the Bravo. I am sure someone will be able to help regarding the toe tapping….and I don’t think you are being mean….

[rozenda]

Thanks Ladybird, I will check the seed you have suggested ta muchly.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Are they chewing/eating the mineral block and cuttlebone? You might start by removing those if you think the toe tapping might be related to too much mineral/vitamins. Since I'm in the US I'm not familiar with the seeds you can buy in the UK. A basic seed without a bunch of additives is always best. You might also get them the Haiths and see if that helps. Sorry I can't offer more help.

[rozenda]

Thank Tweetiepiesmum, I have ordered the Haith and am currently looking at Oyster grit..if they don't like a pinch of that every now and then it will go on the garden out side the tower block for the pigeons !
I'll check on their usage of the Mineral block and cuttle fish as they tend to use them to perch on, play with and then eat

[tweetiepiesmom]

You may have already seen this article but I thought I'd send you the link. Reading this, I'd suggest you grab him to take a close look at his feet. It suggests scaly mites could also be a cause of toe tapping.

birdcageshere.com/2021/06/01/why-is-my-budgie-tapping-his-feet/

[ladybird]

I just read that too, it fits doesn’t it………. Also using those sandpaper covers can make them toe tap a bit.

[Hezz]

Here is another link. If you are adding extra vitamins to their water or food, stop. Most problems come from the concentrated supplements rather than what they ingest naturally. Be careful if you decide that a calcium deficiency may be the problem as budgies can be easily overdosed with extra calcium which in turn can damage their kidneys.
It’s not a condition that I have personally had anything to do with.
www.allaboutparrots.com/toe-tapping-in-parrots/#:~:text=Toe%2Dtapping%20occurs%20when%20a,the%20diet%2C%20and%20swollen%20organs.

[rozenda]

Sept 14, 2022 19:48:15 GMT tweetiepiesmom said:

You may have already seen this article but I thought I'd send you the link. Reading this, I'd suggest you grab him to take a close look at his feet. It suggests scaly mites could also be a cause of toe tapping.

birdcageshere.com/2021/06/01/why-is-my-budgie-tapping-his-feet/

Thank you Tweetiepiesmum I'll have a read.

[rozenda]

Sept 14, 2022 21:26:25 GMT Hezz said:

Here is another link. If you are adding extra vitamins to their water or food, stop. Most problems come from the concentrated supplements rather than what they ingest naturally. Be careful if you decide that a calcium deficiency may be the problem as budgies can be easily overdosed with extra calcium which in turn can damage their kidneys.
It’s not a condition that I have personally had anything to do with.
www.allaboutparrots.com/toe-tapping-in-parrots/#:~:text=Toe%2Dtapping%20occurs%20when%20a,the%20diet%2C%20and%20swollen%20organs.

Thanks Hezz I will have a read.

[rozenda]

Right now the boys are discussing what form todays antics will take.
Sam has decided that the seed holder is an excellent place to rest when he has eaten..so cute... and Olly is making himself look even more beautiful by arranging his feathers how he likes them.
No toe tapping so far..

[Loz]

Budgie activities are fascinating, at least for me.

Mr Hibs & Eeyore are playing Budgie Chess in one of the cages, Squeak is in there with them, preening. Herman is in the other cage, singing his head off.

Chocobo the chocobo is of course sitting on her eggs in her plant-pot nest/citadel. I figure another week before she realises these won't hatch and she moves on.

[rozenda]

Just checked the boys and they seem fine however I now have two bucgies who are perched with their backs to me and plotting my downfall
Nah it was fine, i always talk to them in a quiet voice if I need to pick them up although they are not impressed anway, I think they may be starting a moult and it would explain an increase in preening and their interest in using the bath now.

Edited 'cos I said they had no crawly things and then read that I wouldn;t see them if they were there..doh.