Is our new budgie sick?

[suz]

I bought my parents 2 baby budgies a week ago as an anniversary present. Their 14 year old budgie had died a month earlier. One of the budgies, Sapphire settled in straight away. Despite being smaller than the other one, he is much more confident, vocal and seems to have settled well.
The other one Amber is causing concern. He spends the majority of his time on the bottom of the cage, seems to have very poor balance and struggles to stay on a perch when he does try sitting on one. We've put extra food and water dishes on the floor so Amber can access them. We thought he was just taking longer to settle in but are now worried he is ill or injured. This morning he flew up to the higher food bowl but Sapphire started attacking his feet so he gave up and went back to the floor. Sapphire is screeching a lot today. Amber still hasn't made a noise. They seemed to be getting on fine together earlier in the week and would sit together and mutually preen so we are wondering if there is something wrong with Amber and Sapphire knows it, hence his aggressive response. Is this normal settling in behaviour or should we be worried?

[Hezz]

A budgie on the floor of the cage is definitely a problem. Being hunted from the food area can be another, as is struggling to perch. Get both birds to a vet, preferably avian, asap or this little fella, Amber, might not have a very long life. How old are these birds, and did both come from the same place?

[Marianne Marlow]

Agree with Hezz, they need an avian vet as soon as possible.

[suz]

Thanks for replying. Both birds came from the same place, bought at the same time last weekend. We picked these 2 as they seemed to be getting on nicely together. Oh well!
I don't know if it's possible to post videos on here but I just witnessed Sapphire pecking Amber's feet to make him fall off a perch again. I'm still not sure if he's wobbly and sitting on the floor a lot as he's being bullied or if he's being bullied because the other bird can sense he's weak. I'll call our vets tomorrow and see if they have a bird specialist.

[jellybean]

Do you have another cage you could put the bullied bird into to give it some respite.

If you do, cover the cage on 3 sides leaving the front open.

This would also allow the bird to eat and drink without being chased.

But as advised by others, I would still seek the advice of an avian vet.

[suz]

We don't have another budgie cage unfortunately. The best I could do would be an empty fish tank or a small travelling cage for a chinchilla, neither of which would be very suitable.
We have been leaving the birdcage partly covered as we thought he might just be spending time on the floor as he was shy whilst settling in to his new home. We've put additional food and water dishes in the cage and a millet spray on the floor so he can reach them.
We don't know exactly how old they are but both are young and were bought from the same man. The smaller bird, Sapphire, still has stripes on the back of his head which I understand means he is under 12 weeks.
I've looked online and our local vets is listed on the parrot society as an avian vet so will call tomorrow. We had our old bird for 14 years and he never needed to see a vet once! This one has only been here a week!
Thanks again for the advice x

[tweetiepiesmom]

Good luck - hope the vet says its something simple!

[Hezz]

A small aquarium is fine to use as a hospital cage, especially if you can put a branch in it for the bird to perch on if it wants. If one continues to nip at the other you might have to get another cage to separate them for the time being. Good luck with the vet visit. Hopefully there is nothing wrong and your little bird is just a bit nervous.

[suz]

Just to update you. The vet found he isn't using one of his legs properly. She can't find any break but said she can't totally rule it out as a possibility without having x-rayed him. Unfortunately she also found he had a chest infection. She suggested we took him back to the shop but we are reluctant to do this as we doubt they'd take the trouble to treat him. So we're going to keep him and try to nurse him through it. She said his chances aren't great but if we can beat the infection he could live a happy life on one leg in an adapted cage. He's on antibiotics and anti inflammatories for a week so cross your fingers he can fight the infection. We are also now watching out for signs of illness in the other bird as they had been sharing a cage. We've sterilised everything in it and are hoping for the best. He's eating, breathing and flying as normal so no signs of illness so far.

[birdguhl]

Good to hear that he's been seen and is getting treatment. Great also that you are pressing on with helping this little one rather than taking him back to the shop - he is lucky to have you and your family as his owners. Really hope he starts responding to the meds and brightening up. We're all cheering you both on!

[suz]

Thanks. If anyone has any tips for treating him I'd be grateful. We've put him in a small cage in an empty room for now as thought peace and quiet would help. Is that the best place for him or would he do better in a room with more going on around him?

[Hezz]

Depends on how he is reacting. If he seems stressed to be away from the other bird, bring him back into the other room. If there is a possibility that the leg is broken, take out any perches from high off the floor of the cage, pad the bottom of the cage and lie a perch onto the bottom so that he can perch on his good leg without having the sore on hanging. His good foot will get very tired from having to be flat if he only has the floor to sit or move around on. Also taking him into the bathroom whenever someone is having a steamy hot shower can help open up his airways, can help with the respiratory infection. Good luck with this little fella, and bless you for taking the time, making the effort to look after him

[blue48]

I'm so sorry about Amber. Poor little thing, not a great start. I hope you can nurse him through this with the treatments and all the great advice you have been given. Good luck and please keep us informed.