Nov 16, 2019 16:53:11 GMT
tammie1971
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 17
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Post by tammie1971 on Oct 10, 2020 22:43:13 GMT
Hello everyone! I hope everyone is well. I have a female parakeet about a year and a half old now, along with a male, both bought together at 12 weeks. Both have been extremely healthy, no issues, eating well, over the last week I have noticed more feathers than usual on the floor and cage, didn't really read too much into it, season is changing here in New Jersey so I thought it was a molt. This morning I uncovered them and wow! alot of feathers! My female is cere is also VERY brown, and she has been plucking her feathers!!!! Her chest feathers are white instead of blue, and watching her today I actually saw her preening ( I thought) but really tugging her feathers. I have read this could be hormonal? Seems her cere is brow she's in breeding condition. I have no intention on breeding. The male is housed with her, and is completely fine no issues. Both eating and drinking, acting normal, chatting, flying around and exercising. The only thing that has changed within the last 2 weeks is I started giving liquid vitamins in their water which I have never done before this. Their food has never changed...... Could someone please help me to figure out what's going on and how to deter her from this? Oh I almost forgot..... there is a new mirror that was placed in the cage couple weeks ago as well. Maybe its stressing her out?
Thank you
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Post by Hezz on Oct 11, 2020 0:44:06 GMT
Photos please of the offending feathers and the hen in full. budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/17937/uploading-photos-2Budgies are not known for being pluckers and a change in hormones will not cause her to start. A hen will sometimes/often pluck her chest feathers once she has a brood but not otherwise. It sounds to me like normal moulting, albeit a heavy one. It is not uncommon for a budgie or two to produce enough moulted feathers for new owners to be concerned. Even if you see her really tugging her feathers, it is most likely still normal preening and nothing else. Instead of extra vitamins (shouldn't be necessary if they have a good varied diet) add a finger drawer of eggfood to their cage for extra protein during a moult. Producing new feathers is a strenuous business and requires a lot of energy which is why they can become quiet and grumpy during a serious moult. If you can't get eggfood, boil a normal egg to hard-boiled, mash it and add some of their favourite veg to it for interest.
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