New here - Lots of questions. :(

[ldyrvnhrt]

Hi All

Im new here and im in a bit of a panic so please forgive my rambling

I got 2 budgies a few years ago. (Mike and Sully) Mike died suddenly and all we had was Sully for 2 years on her own. Recently my husband got me 4 that the shop said were about 10 weeks old when we got them. They would be 16 (ish) weeks now I think

We put the cages next to one another for about 4 weeks, then got a huge flight cage and put all 5 in together. Theres been no territorial stuff happening and they all get along famously.

Heres my issue.... One of the 4 we got together seemed from the very start to be the runt of the bunch as it were. She (I assume its a she) is smaller than the others, stays on her own alot and isnt as active though she is very active overall usually.

Recently I noticed her wing looked funny and her beak which never looked quite right, definately doesnt look right although it doesnt stop her from eating or drinking.

I discovered pin feathers on a few of them so Im sure theyre going through a molt, and I suspect its their first one. She is harder to see pin feathers on as she is solid white.

The other day she had a little sneezing fit. literally 8-10 sneezes. Shes only sneezed twice since but theyre all sleeping alot. Theyre still eating, drinking, playing, flying, poop (i think) looks ok but Im so worried and scared that my babies might be sick and in the current climate plus the fact that theyre not tame makes it very hard to get her to a vet.

Im also struggling to sex them except for Blue who we are CERTAIN is a boy

Ive attached photos (ignore the little orange flek on her beak in the one photo, its carrot and its not there anymore) and would love some experienced opinions anyone can offer?

Many Many Thanks!!!

[Hezz]

Looks like two boys, then two girls to me. That beak is definitely not right and you would need to consult a vet as to whether it is able to be fixed. Her top beak is going inside her bottom, instead of outside. Glad it doesn't stop her feeding but over time that bottom beak may need to be trimmed on a regular basis. I'm not sure what I'm looking at with the wing??

[ldyrvnhrt]

Hi and thanks for the response. The sex thing always gets me Im never sure unless its tan. I was wavering as to whether Cloud was male or female....

Snows wing, see how its all sort of bald in spots and then that patch that looks almost raw, its got me worried. It wasnt like that when we got her and im not sure if she plucked some feathers, or if its molt or what.

I knew her beak wasnt right from the start. I keep hoping she will grind it down somehow but I dont think its going to happen and shes only a baby.

[Hezz]

You would need to get a closer, much clearer photo of the spot on the wing, with the feathers parted. You might find that it is a wound, maybe a cyst, whatever it is you do need to check it out.

[ldyrvnhrt]

Thats about as close as I can get. As shes not tame she doesnt let me get too close. I think I see pin feathers..... Im praying its just molt

[Hezz]

I can't tell anything from that; you would need to catch her and hold her, part the feathers and have a good look. Either that or get her to a vet.

[Marianne Marlow]

I'm pretty sure that she is older than 4 months old, she has a mature cere and clear iris rings.

It's not uncommon for pet shops to get age or sex wrong. I hope you manage to get her beak sorted out.

[Hezz]

I wasn't looking at age - well spotted, Marianne Marlow.

[ldyrvnhrt]

OOOH thank you so much

I was really just going by what they said. I dont have alot of knowledge when it comes to these things.Im trying to learn. Im experimenting to see what veggies they like... carrot seems to be a hit. Theyre not sure about cucumber, and they ALWAYS grab pieces of their veggies and dump them in their bath. I change their bath and water 4x a day at this point because theres either veggies in it, or theres poop in it They love their toys, they like music, and they like each other. I just worry so much about their health. Theyre so fragile. Theyre not tame, and they dont seem to be very comfortable with the idea. They no longer go insane when my hand goes in the cage. They just go to the top and sit and watch me but no more flapping. But if I make any moves towards them insanity ensues.

I just want them to be healthy and happy. I think their molt may be almost over because theyre starting to act more like themselves again. Not as chirpy as they used to be but theyre no longer looking sick and worrying me to bits. Snows beak is a worry to me though. Im looking for an avian vet nearby so hopefully we will get her sorted.