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Post by lemonora on Dec 29, 2020 2:45:09 GMT
Around 2 and half years old
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Post by yellowfacedviolet on Dec 29, 2020 4:04:39 GMT
And at what age did that spangle-like pattern develop on his chest?
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Post by lemonora on Dec 29, 2020 7:23:08 GMT
And at what age did that spangle-like pattern develop on his chest? Just a few months ago
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Post by Hezz on Dec 29, 2020 9:39:49 GMT
Is he getting sun directly or is it through glass? If the sunlight is coming through glass he is not going to be getting the UVB benefit, since the rays cannot penetrate through the glass. It needs to be direct sunlight to be of any help.
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Post by lemonora on Dec 29, 2020 9:51:39 GMT
Is he getting sun directly or is it through glass? If the sunlight is coming through glass he is not going to be getting the UVB benefit, since the rays cannot penetrate through the glass. It needs to be direct sunlight to be of any help. Through glass š we live in an apartment flat and we donāt even have balconiesš i donāt know what to do but we will brainstorm and try to figure something out without changing a lot for him because he is extremely skittish especially that he canāt fly thanks for pointing it out though š itās too cold to open the window, itās dangerous isnāt it?
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Post by Hezz on Dec 29, 2020 10:02:41 GMT
You can get special UVB lights/bulbs that artificially replicate the UVB rays. Arcadia is the best known brand for avian lamps, but donāt be talked into those that are used for reptiles, which are much stronger and can cause damage for birdsā much more sensitive eyes. This is their website. I havenāt read through it for a while: www.arcadiabird.com/
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Post by mona on Dec 29, 2020 11:07:45 GMT
Thanks for this info Hezz. I had been looking into some reptile UV lamps available on amazon. But then, sun started showing on our window and I had to just slide the window open and slide the mosquito net window so that the sun shows its light directly into their cage.. Glad that I didn't get those lamps.
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Post by lemonora on Dec 29, 2020 13:32:42 GMT
You can get special UVB lights/bulbs that artificially replicate the UVB rays. Arcadia is the best known brand for avian lamps, but donāt be talked into those that are used for reptiles, which are much stronger and can cause damage for birdsā much more sensitive eyes. This is their website. I havenāt read through it for a while: www.arcadiabird.com/That sounds great š thanks Hezz I will definitely look into it immediately I just hope they ship to Saudi arabia I will keep looking till I get it, itās a must have for sure šš and good to know about the reptile light š thanks again ā¤ļø
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Post by yellowfacedviolet on Dec 29, 2020 17:19:55 GMT
I doubt this is due to any vitamin deficiency. More budgies than not are vitamin-deficient. It's the most common root problem that avian vets see, but we've never seen it manifest in this way. This one is a puzzlement. When Marianne Marlow first asked me about it I assumed she was referencing a mutation that had been there since the bird first feathered out or, at the least, since his first moult. But for it to be late-onset like this is a headscratcher. I've googled several combinations of descriptive wording to see if there is any reference to this, pictorial or otherwise, on the net. Nothing. BTW, as there are for many aspects of budgie care, there is debate about UVB light and whether it is necessary for optimum budgie health. There are dangers too--blindness for one. So I suggest doing your homework on this one before you decide.
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Post by lemonora on Dec 29, 2020 17:55:03 GMT
Thanks yellowfaceviolet I really appreciate your input and that you took the time to research and look for answersš Thatās really nice of you ā¤ļø I did not know about the blindness risk, thanks for pointing it out
BTW, since he fell a few months ago (in July) he hasnāt taken any baths, could that be related? I donāt know Iām just trying to think of everything š Thanks again I really appreciate all your help and careā¤ļø
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Post by Hezz on Dec 29, 2020 22:14:17 GMT
I would be almost sure that it is not going to be due to not bathing. I had a hen who never would bathe, some just donāt wish to and they shouldnāt be forced to. If Homer is not getting some form of Vit D, either from the sun or artificially, that can be a real cause for concern. Supplements and the like are not as effectively taken up by the body as the normal route of oil from the preening gland, sunlight and preening. That is how budgies get their normal amount of Vit D. The preening oil contains an element that the sunlight converts to Vit D which the budgies then ingest during normal routine preening. Yes, you do have to be careful with artificial lighting, and there are other members on this forum who will be able to help you with that. Iāve never had the need to use them, and it is a while since I read up on it. Do your research carefully if you want to follow that path. I suggest you may never know what the root cause of the colouring is, and that all you can do is cover all his dietary and physical requirements to the best of your ability. As long as Homer is happy and healthy otherwise; thatās really all you can hope for.
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Post by yellowfacedviolet on Dec 30, 2020 4:03:56 GMT
lemonora, other than the sunlight issue, do you have reason to believe there is a vitamin deficiency based on his diet? (Not that any of us appears to have ever seen this as a vitamin-deficiency symptom.) Also, when this pattern developed, did it all appear at once or did it advance? If the latter, is it still expanding?
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Post by lemonora on Dec 30, 2020 10:20:14 GMT
I would be almost sure that it is not going to be due to not bathing. I had a hen who never would bathe, some just donāt wish to and they shouldnāt be forced to. If Homer is not getting some form of Vit D, either from the sun or artificially, that can be a real cause for concern. Supplements and the like are not as effectively taken up by the body as the normal route of oil from the preening gland, sunlight and preening. That is how budgies get their normal amount of Vit D. The preening oil contains an element that the sunlight converts to Vit D which the budgies then ingest during normal routine preening. Yes, you do have to be careful with artificial lighting, and there are other members on this forum who will be able to help you with that. Iāve never had the need to use them, and it is a while since I read up on it. Do your research carefully if you want to follow that path. I suggest you may never know what the root cause of the colouring is, and that all you can do is cover all his dietary and physical requirements to the best of your ability. As long as Homer is happy and healthy otherwise; thatās really all you can hope for. Thanks Hezz you are absolutely rightš I will keep doing my best to give him the best life in every way and try to cover every aspect i really appreciate your advice and care ā¤ļø
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Post by lemonora on Dec 30, 2020 11:55:19 GMT
lemonora , other than the sunlight issue, do you have reason to believe there is a vitamin deficiency based on his diet? (Not that any of us appears to have ever seen this as a vitamin-deficiency symptom.) Also, when this pattern developed, did it all appear at once or did it advance? If the latter, is it still expanding? I found pictures that would show the time line of the pattern appearing, it definitely started smaller, then got bigger and darker, but he was contained in a box like cage for his own safety for a while after the fall, but then we moved him to a normal cage and started placing him in front of the window for a few hours daily, and we realized that it stopped growing and actually got a little better especially around the corners (shoulders) I have attached photos that shows the day it was taken (date on top) and also the box like cage when he was injured and also a pic of his cage in front of the window that I took now hope this information helps, I really really appreciate all your help and concern ā¤ļø (I tried to put them in order but it didnāt work)
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Post by lemonora on Dec 30, 2020 12:30:54 GMT
Regarding his diet, he eats a mix of grated vegetables and seeds everyday, mainly (carrot, bell pepper, cucumber and zucchini) Occasionally he eats ( apples, banana, and boiled eggs) Once a week I add a multi vitamin to his water (started it after the pattern appeared on his chest) and ACV around twice a week (3 drops in 100ml)
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