Aug 2, 2021 16:32:40 GMT
kinsie
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 6
|
Post by kinsie on Aug 2, 2021 16:58:18 GMT
Hi!
We welcomed the most beautiful little boy into our house on Fri. I was told by the breeder that he is 6 weeks old, he was kept in a garden shed avairy in a separate cage with 2 other boy birds and has not been hand reared. He seems to have settled in very well and will allow me to gently rub his head and tummy and will go onto my finger after 2 days which I am over the moon about.
I do have a few concerns and I hope someone can put my mind at rest.
He has a "bald spot" at the back of his head. On closer inspection, I can see there is a lot of pin feathers waiting to come through. Could this be causing him any discomfort?
He seems to be scratching and ruffling his feathers whilst in the cage. Should I look to get him some bird spot on or is he too young?
I have also noticed his tail is shaking, almost like he's quivering. It seems to be when he's in the cage. He's happy when he's held and getting a head scratch.
I'm probably being an over protective bird Mum but just wanted to check from the experts!
He is very happy, chirping away and doing gymnastics in his cage. He's been out to have a fly 3 times today and seems happy when perched on my curtains but also happy to be taken down.
Sorry for all the questions and thank you so much in advance x
|
|
|
Post by blueelephant on Aug 2, 2021 18:07:42 GMT
Hi,
Congratulations on your new arrival! He sounds lovely. Are you able to upload a photo of the bald spot? It may help people to advise.
Moulting seems to be an itchy business so if he has lots of pin feathers they are probably annoying him. This should subside as they come through some more.
By 'spot on' do you mean a mite treatment? I'd probably not give him that unless there were definite signs of an issue other than moulting.
I am not sure about the quivering. I will let someone else advise on that one.
|
|
|
Post by tweetiepiesmom on Aug 2, 2021 19:43:38 GMT
He sounds adorable, congratulations! As blueelephant said, pin feathers do tend to be itchy and budgies will rub their heads on perches, toys, etc to help open them. As long as he's letting you touch him, gently rub his head feathers, ruffling them to help open the pin feathers. But, be very gentle! Yes, pictures of the spot you're concerned about will help and we love pictures. When I got my little Buddy, he did the quivering of his tail but stopped doing it soon. Maybe its just nervousness? Budgies do spend a lot of time preening and when they're molting, pulling out feathers. So, what you are seeing as "scratching and ruffling" may simply be that and its normal. Have you named him? Welcome an I hope you stop by often and let us know how you two are getting along.
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Aug 2, 2021 19:54:19 GMT
A photo is needed of the spot you have concerns about, but at six weeks he is too young for his first moult. It is possible that he has been plucked by either his mother or one of the other chicks, with the new feathers growing back in to replace these.
It is good that he is vocalising, but don’t be surprised if he decides in the next week or two that he doesn’t want to be touched or sit on your finger as before. He probably isn’t as comfortable as you imagine (the tail quivering is a classic sign) and as he does become more settled he will want to exert his own will, which generally means that they become less cooperative.
|
|
Aug 2, 2021 16:32:40 GMT
kinsie
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 6
|
Post by kinsie on Aug 2, 2021 20:07:45 GMT
Hi, Congratulations on your new arrival! He sounds lovely. Are you able to upload a photo of the bald spot? It may help people to advise. Moulting seems to be an itchy business so if he has lots of pin feathers they are probably annoying him. This should subside as they come through some more. By 'spot on' do you mean a mite treatment? I'd probably not give him that unless there were definite signs of an issue other than moulting. I am not sure about the quivering. I will let someone else advise on that one. Thank you so much for your response. He's tucked away in bed but will try and get a pic once he's awake. The breeder said he's only 6 weeks old so I am guessing it's feathers that haven't came through. It looks as though there is approximately 20 in the one spot coming through. I've noticed a few white speks on him, wondering if birds can get dry skin 🤔 I just want the best for him. We are all so in love with him already. Thanks again for your advice x
|
|
Aug 2, 2021 16:32:40 GMT
kinsie
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 6
|
Post by kinsie on Aug 2, 2021 20:11:44 GMT
He sounds adorable, congratulations! As blueelephant said, pin feathers do tend to be itchy and budgies will rub their heads on perches, toys, etc to help open them. As long as he's letting you touch him, gently rub his head feathers, ruffling them to help open the pin feathers. But, be very gentle! Yes, pictures of the spot you're concerned about will help and we love pictures. When I got my little Buddy, he did the quivering of his tail but stopped doing it soon. Maybe its just nervousness? Budgies do spend a lot of time preening and when they're molting, pulling out feathers. So, what you are seeing as "scratching and ruffling" may simply be that and its normal. Have you named him? Welcome an I hope you stop by often and let us know how you two are getting along. He seems to do it less when he's on my finger. I notice his tail quivering when he is sitting in the cage next to me. He is nameless at the moment. He has had a total of 6 names in 48 hours... Courtesy of my 4 year old. She has till the end of the week to stick to a name! XD Thank you for your response
|
|
|
Post by blueelephant on Aug 2, 2021 20:15:15 GMT
As the pin feathers come through they are covered in a white material that breaks off into little pieces as the feather erupts. I refer to it as 'budgie dandruff' but it probably has a proper name!
It may be that is what the little white specs are? Photos tomorrow would help though if he is willing to pose for the camera 😉
|
|
|
Post by blueelephant on Aug 2, 2021 20:17:32 GMT
I'd warn against letting a four year old name a budgie. We had a green budgie called Silver 😂. It's tough picking a name!
|
|
Aug 2, 2021 16:32:40 GMT
kinsie
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 6
|
Post by kinsie on Aug 2, 2021 20:18:42 GMT
A photo is needed of the spot you have concerns about, but at six weeks he is too young for his first moult. It is possible that he has been plucked by either his mother or one of the other chicks, with the new feathers growing back in to replace these. It is good that he is vocalising, but don’t be surprised if he decides in the next week or two that he doesn’t want to be touched or sit on your finger as before. He probably isn’t as comfortable as you imagine (the tail quivering is a classic sign) and as he does become more settled he will want to exert his own will, which generally means that they become less cooperative. I have been very scared to touch the pin feathers as I know if damaged they can bleed. I will try and gently rub them tomorrow to see if it offers him some relief. He did use my finger to scratch his head so it must be uncomfortable for him. I will bare in mind that he might become a little distant. I am stunned he is as forthcoming as he has been. He didn't want to go back in his cage earlier, was very cute. I wonder if you could answer another question for me. I gave his seed, millet spray and an iodised condition peck in his cage. I also bought vitamins for his water. Is there anything else you woukd recommend I get? He has toys and a swing and a bird bath too. I was planning on buying him some green veg (thinking spinach and parsley) for him tomorrow. Woukd this be okay for a 6 week old? So sorry for all the questions. I just want to make sure he's happy and healthy x
|
|
Aug 2, 2021 16:32:40 GMT
kinsie
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 6
|
Post by kinsie on Aug 2, 2021 20:21:43 GMT
I'd warn against letting a four year old name a budgie. We had a green budgie called Silver 😂. It's tough picking a name! Haha! I think silver is a lovey name! I had a green budgie called flash years ago. I still have his feather in my purse and take him everywhere with me. I've waited over 10 years before getting this little one. They really are amazing little creatures!
|
|
Aug 2, 2021 16:32:40 GMT
kinsie
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 6
|
Post by kinsie on Aug 3, 2021 15:03:12 GMT
This is his bald spot. There is a large cluster of pin feathers waiting to come through
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Aug 4, 2021 2:26:33 GMT
While pin feathers can be itchy, they are a natural part of a bird’s life and so don’t really need your help at all. Another budgie might be given the task of helping out with the preening, but you do need to have a good bond going before a bird will trust a human to help.
Looks like he was subjected to a little plucking as a youngster, but good that the feathers are growing back.
|
|
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Aug 4, 2021 10:48:09 GMT
I named a grey budgie Basil, so kind of the opposite. I'd warn against letting a four year old name a budgie. We had a green budgie called Silver 😂. It's tough picking a name!
|
|