Boy or girl or too early to tell?

[newbudgowner]

Hey guys...Meet Charlie

I'm new here as this is my first Budgie.

I think he's only about 8 weeks old but I just wondered if he is going to turn out to be a she? Also is there anything I need to know.  He has seed, crushed shell stuff, water, toys, that white chalky she'll stuff, 3 perches (one of which is a special sandpaper type one)  and a swing perch. He's going into my finger when he's in the mood and quite happily flies around in our lounge but mostly looks for toys to play with.

Thank you!!

[OP]

Hello & Welcome to the forum. Just one thing, get rid of the sandpaper perch. It's bad for the feet and can give them bumble foot. I don't have the experience yet to determine the sex of such a young bud. I'll take a guess at male. There again it could be female.

[ffiscool]

Welcome to the forum. Yes, please change the sand perch. A lovely bud. I think it needs to be a clearer pic if possible but (and given I was wrong on the last guess, so take no notice, lol) I think female

[newbudgowner]

Sorry I should have been clearer. The perch is made of mineral. It just looks like sandpaper although it's quite smooth. Apparently it's good for their beaks? Should I still get rid?

[OP]

The mineral perch is different to sand paper type. That should be OK for your bud. Sorry to appear brusk, but we have a great distaste for sandpaper as it can cause a nastie infection.

[skysmum]

Welcome to you and Charlie, lovely little boy me thinks and yes id say around 8 weeks old

[Hezz]

Charlie is indeed a (very sweet) little budgie-boy.

[newbudgowner]

Thank you everyone!

May one more question. What is that hard feather section on his head? Is he staying to molt?

[OP]

I assume you are referring to the pin feathers(known as pinnies). They will lose the keratin sheath and become softer. You will probably see him rubbing his head against anything available. That is to loosen and get rid of the sheath. They must itch like hell at times.

[Hezz]

Sept 1, 2016 8:53:43 GMT newbudgowner said:

Thank you everyone!

May one more question. What is that hard feather section on his head? Is he starting to moult?

He has already started his moult. The hardish spikes are new feathers coming through, known as pin feathers. They are new feathers with a keratin sheath around them which helps the feather grow through the follicle properly and also protects the feather while it matures. Once the feather is fully grown, the budgies will rub, or scratch, or be preened by another, at this sheath and it will fall away. In the meantime they can be a bit itchy, tired and grumpy, and a bath or misting in tepid water will help soften the sheath, relieving the itch somewhat and allowing the keratin to flake off more easily.