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Post by samwiseg on Nov 9, 2019 10:48:15 GMT
Well sadly I think it's official, poor little Nubbs has got FM. Still! He can still fly well enough to get about (not as strongly as other normal birds) but he still can fly. He is about 3 years old now, and have found out that budgies can show signs of this once they are in adult years too. I managed to get the perfect video for you to see what he looks like (I did wonder at one stage weather he was pulling them out) but then the skewed feathers on his wings confirmed it for me that he has FM. What do you guys think? Poor little baldy guy
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Post by helenmat on Nov 9, 2019 11:10:11 GMT
Bless him, he looks happy enough though. Do you think he is plucking at his front? I don't know enough about FM. I thought one of the main symptoms was a stubby tail as the tail feathers don't grow back.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,761
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Nov 9, 2019 11:30:37 GMT
What are his feathers like at the back and sides?
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Post by samwiseg on Nov 9, 2019 11:39:33 GMT
They stick out at odd angles and are very thin on the shaft and very tatty looking Marianne MarlowI do have another picture I shall upload when on laptop as am on my phone atm!
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,761
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Nov 9, 2019 11:45:01 GMT
Ah okay, then probably is FM. I often wondered if Roswell had it too. But his feathers only seemed to suffer on one side. Plus he did start mutilating them.
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Post by Hezz on Nov 9, 2019 11:46:50 GMT
It certainly sounds like he might be a contender, Sam, as long as you can rule out him pulling and plucking himself. Plucking and self-mutilating are rare with our budgies, but not unheard of. If he was an only bird then I would be worried, but he isn't. I think FM is the more likely cause. But he's good, he will be fine; he has his friends and you to help him adjust.
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Post by samwiseg on Nov 9, 2019 11:50:59 GMT
I was tempted to knit him a little tank top for Christmas (kidding) Here we are:
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Post by samwiseg on Nov 9, 2019 11:55:59 GMT
Bless him, he looks happy enough though. Do you think he is plucking at his front? I don't know enough about FM. I thought one of the main symptoms was a stubby tail as the tail feathers don't grow back. It can be different with FM as some do and some dont some lose all their body feathers, some lose only tail and wing feathers. When I do get some bigger feather ones drop I'll save them to show you what they look like But you are right! He is such a happy boy! And get's a regularly daily preening from Murph at 4 in the afternoon. They are very close so dont think he would be plucking from any distress (thank god)
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Post by jellybean on Nov 9, 2019 12:07:02 GMT
He seems a happy wee boy samwiseg, and has a loving home, I'm sure he will be just fine.
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Post by samwiseg on Nov 9, 2019 12:17:44 GMT
I hope so jellybean! He has seemed fine up to now
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Post by bud9 on Nov 9, 2019 14:28:39 GMT
Our syd has FM and it is mainly his back and tail feathers he is a happy little chap but does scratch a lot.
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Post by BloomCountyLover on Nov 9, 2019 16:38:49 GMT
Poor Nubbs, he seems to not be too bothered by it though. Here's hoping it doesn't impact his flight any further. He is just rocking the scruffy look though. He owns it...lol.
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Post by OP on Nov 9, 2019 20:29:04 GMT
He does look happy enough Sam. Edward couldn't fly at all and she would quite often preen herself as she wanted to tidy all the stuck out feathers. Just treat him as normal after-all he doesn't know about FM.
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Post by samwiseg on Nov 10, 2019 11:22:19 GMT
Thanks guys - it is so reassuring that everyone on here can give their experiences too
Nice to see you OP! I often think about you and am so glad you can make it on here when you can
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Post by helenmat on Nov 10, 2019 13:33:29 GMT
You need someone who can knit really small jumpers!
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