|
Post by OP on Sept 14, 2014 17:42:05 GMT
I'm sorry I was trying to upload a pic of rosettes eye but could not get a very good one as she is not hand tame yet. No apologies necessary at all. Nearly all members have difficulty with linking to images when they join the forum. One of the sad things is the smartphones are not very smart as they nearly always rotate the raw image. Not all hosting services rotate the image back again. You seem to have mastered getting the image in your message, you just need a way of rotating it. I don't use Tinypic myself so I don't know if you can edit the photo once you have uploaded it. Samiwseg uses Tinypic I think so she will be able to tell you. Once I saw a larger image of what I was asking it became clear, thank you.
|
|
Sept 13, 2014 21:18:22 GMT
reyswoman
Brand New Budgie
Cadenia and Rosette chillin' at home!!
Posts: 92
|
Post by reyswoman on Sept 14, 2014 17:50:59 GMT
thank you and i will work on rotating them.
|
|
Sept 13, 2014 21:18:22 GMT
reyswoman
Brand New Budgie
Cadenia and Rosette chillin' at home!!
Posts: 92
|
Post by reyswoman on Sept 15, 2014 4:49:29 GMT
I think they are getting better and rosettes eye is looking better. I am hoping keeping it clean and regular bathing will help as they were not given baths before and are still getting used to it. But I am still wondering if their cage is too small and if you can tell if they are male or female? I know they need a cuttlebone(is that right?) for them to chew. They do have a mineral block. I am feeding them the seed mix the previous owner had them on but would like to get a better mix soon to try for a healthier mix. Is there anything else I may need that is imperative for their health? I am in the process of getting guardian angel. I want my budgies as healthy as possible. How often should I change the fresh fruit and veggies they are eating? Lol, sorry like I said I'm a worrier.
|
|
|
Post by samwiseg on Sept 15, 2014 17:54:12 GMT
No worries! If you have questions about budgies then this is the place! And you will find we ALL worry about our buds!!! Cuttlebone is an essential item they will need in their cage and fresh fruit/veg should only be left in their cage a maximum of an hour or so as you don't want it to start to go off. You don't necessarily need to fee them fresh foods every day but every 2-3 days is fine until they get used to it. A list of budgie friendly foods can be found hereAs a rule of thumb we tend to advise when buying a cage for your birds, buy the biggest you can afford! And purchase one that has more width than height as birds fly left to right/right to left (not up) Some ideas can be found hereSeed mixes are different wherever you are in the world - a lot of member here use Trill as the seed is scrubbed and comes with other added vits and minerals, I use Johnston & Jeff but as I say I don't know what brands there are in the States perhaps some other members maybe able to help you there. Guardian Angel is only used as a tonic for stressed and/or sick birds until you can get them to a vet. It is not a cure all but it does help. However it should not be administered whilst the bird is taking any other antibiotic or vitamin supplement. I hope your buds are ok and look forward to hearing more about your adventure with your new featherds and look forward to seeing more pictures too!
|
|
Sept 13, 2014 21:18:22 GMT
reyswoman
Brand New Budgie
Cadenia and Rosette chillin' at home!!
Posts: 92
|
Post by reyswoman on Sept 15, 2014 19:56:16 GMT
Thank you for all the great advise! As Rosette is now on an antibiotic and Caden is doing great, I am a lot less worried! Just one dose of meds and she is already looking 100% better! I will keep in mind the veggies an fruits and will look into a better seed. The vet recommended a pellet type food, so I am trying to decide which to give though I like the more natural diet, I worry I may miss an essential vitamin. With her being sick I'm going to add a vitamin to the food for a few days maybe a week to be sure. But hoping a seed base with fresh veggies will be good.
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Sept 16, 2014 1:33:34 GMT
Looking at that photo of Rosette's eye, it does look as though she may have a early case of scaly mite as well. Are you able to get a good, in-focus close-up of her cere and beak? It looks as though she may have mite tracks running through her beak, but if this is the case it is very easily cleared up with 0.1% ivermectin spot on treatment; you will need to do both birds. But try for another photo first so we can advise you more accurately on whether it looks like this or not.
What else? Seeding grasses that are not sourced from roadsides or anywhere using chemicals. This is their natural, native food in the wild. If this is not an option, some members sprout some of their budgie seed mix and feed them the sprouts, or leave the "crop" until it is large enough for the birds to source their own seed (such as the millet) and they do love to chew on the grass itself. Depending on what seed mix you use, shell grit may or may not be in the mix; if not, a small pot needs to be available to them at all times - most use what is called a "finger drawer" for these small additives.
A dose of sunshine every day if possible, or at least some time in the sun every week; budgies need their Vit D same as the rest of us. This needs to be pure unadulterated sunshine; not through glass, plastic, curtains, perspex etc as all these filter out the UVB rays. If a sit out in the sun is not possible you may have to invest in a UVB light for them.
Plenty of toys and foraging/shredding items to keep boredom at bay. Make sure you have two seed pots, and two of anything else that they like - swings, mirrors etc. This reduces the number of fights over the favoured item - they can behave just like children! And plenty of out of cage flying time, making sure they are in a safe environment with no ceiling fans, radiators etc running.
Oh, and throw the veggies out after a couple of hours. Otherwise you may run the risk of bacteria growing on them and causing a pain in the belly or worse.
|
|
Sept 13, 2014 21:18:22 GMT
reyswoman
Brand New Budgie
Cadenia and Rosette chillin' at home!!
Posts: 92
|
Post by reyswoman on Sept 16, 2014 4:44:04 GMT
Wow so much info thanks!! I did get them a cuttlebone and vitamin block, I use paper towels on the bottom of the cage and they tend to tear it up so since I change it daily to keep my house more feather free I sprinkle a little grit on top and it seems to stop them from tearing the paper. I will try to get a good pic of her beak but she's not hand trained, nor is Caden and they try to bite when I hold them for meds, but I'll try. They have only been in my house for four days so I thought to wait a week or so to let them fly. But I can't wait to see them go. I am a single mom and work so I might not be able to sprout my own seeds, but would a seed mix be ok or should I switch to a pellet like the vet said? Thank you so much for all your help it is wonderful to find such a fountain of knowledge in one site!!
|
|
|
Post by samwiseg on Sept 16, 2014 8:17:31 GMT
Another invaluable tip my breeder gave me was to use apple cider vinegar in their water - it prevents stomache issues. However, it must be the organic natural type (the one that has a sediment in the bottom of the bottle) Dosages/measurements are 5ml to 1 ltr of water
|
|
Sept 13, 2014 21:18:22 GMT
reyswoman
Brand New Budgie
Cadenia and Rosette chillin' at home!!
Posts: 92
|
Post by reyswoman on Sept 16, 2014 10:57:59 GMT
Thank you so much! I have been reading non stop for four days trying to make sure I am doing everything to keep them healthy. I will get some ASAP. Thank you all for all the support. I am looking forward to keeping up with all the buds here everyone seems to have such beautiful birds!
|
|
Sept 13, 2014 21:18:22 GMT
reyswoman
Brand New Budgie
Cadenia and Rosette chillin' at home!!
Posts: 92
|
Post by reyswoman on Sept 16, 2014 12:07:05 GMT
|
|
Sept 13, 2014 21:18:22 GMT
reyswoman
Brand New Budgie
Cadenia and Rosette chillin' at home!!
Posts: 92
|
Post by reyswoman on Sept 16, 2014 12:10:23 GMT
Looking at that photo of Rosette's eye, it does look as though she may have a early case of scaly mite as well. Are you able to get a good, in-focus close-up of her cere and beak? It looks as though she may have mite tracks running through her beak, but if this is the case it is very easily cleared up with 0.1% ivermectin spot on treatment; you will need to do both birds. But try for another photo first so we can advise you more accurately on whether it looks like this or not. What else? Seeding grasses that are not sourced from roadsides or anywhere using chemicals. This is their natural, native food in the wild. If this is not an option, some members sprout some of their budgie seed mix and feed them the sprouts, or leave the "crop" until it is large enough for the birds to source their own seed (such as the millet) and they do love to chew on the grass itself. Depending on what seed mix you use, shell grit may or may not be in the mix; if not, a small pot needs to be available to them at all times - most use what is called a "finger drawer" for these small additives. A dose of sunshine every day if possible, or at least some time in the sun every week; budgies need their Vit D same as the rest of us. This needs to be pure unadulterated sunshine; not through glass, plastic, curtains, perspex etc as all these filter out the UVB rays. If a sit out in the sun is not possible you may have to invest in a UVB light for them. Plenty of toys and foraging/shredding items to keep boredom at bay. Make sure you have two seed pots, and two of anything else that they like - swings, mirrors etc. This reduces the number of fights over the favoured item - they can behave just like children! And plenty of out of cage flying time, making sure they are in a safe environment with no ceiling fans, radiators etc running. Oh, and throw the veggies out after a couple of hours. Otherwise you may run the risk of bacteria growing on them and causing a pain in the belly or worse. I uploaded a photo of her beak and cere. Thank you!!
|
|
|
Post by budgiefriend on Sept 16, 2014 15:09:05 GMT
How cute is Rosette, resting in the towel. Hope she feels better soon.
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Sept 17, 2014 0:17:54 GMT
That photo looks lovely and clear, just the normal wear and tear we would expect to see on her beak, so no need to be treating her for anything else, that's a relief. But, may I ask why you have a coin in the cage? You may not be aware that about the only metal that is safe for budgies to play with is stainless steel (the coin looks copper??), and when sourcing bells for them please ensure that they, and all other bits of metal in the cage, are stainless steel.
|
|
Sept 13, 2014 21:18:22 GMT
reyswoman
Brand New Budgie
Cadenia and Rosette chillin' at home!!
Posts: 92
|
Post by reyswoman on Sept 17, 2014 5:20:26 GMT
My goodness no I didn't know that and thank you I'll remove that and the bell just in case can't afford anyone else getting sick! rosettes eye is clearing up and opening more each day. Caden still tries to be bossy but Rosette is having none of that now! By the way, the coin came with the cage. Thank you for telling me, is it ok to put toys in the cage with birds who have chicks?
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Sept 18, 2014 0:34:09 GMT
Not too sure on your last question but my gut tells me that birds with chicks are too busy feeding them to be concerned with playing with toys; and ...... any chick old enough to want to play with toys is too old to be in the cage with the parents ...... they should be independent by then.
|
|