Does my new budgie have French Moult?

[michelle]

I recently bought a very young budgie from a local pet shop- I had to syringe feed it for a week or so. It is now eating on its own but still can't seem to manage to eat seeds and still eats bird porridge.

Im concerned as there is a patch on its chest where the feathers seem to have not grown. All other feathers look great and very healthy, just not this one patch on its chest... Should I be concerned or is this normal?

I'm new to this forum so I will try upload a few photos if I manage to figure out how to

[birdguhl]

Hi Michelle - welcome to the forum.

It is concerning to hear that a pet shop is selling such a young budgie that it can't eat seeds - terrible.

Good that you have been able to give it so much attention and care though.

Probably one of the more experienced members will be able to give an opinion about this bare patch.

For technical help see: budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/1788/upload-pictures-clips

[skysmum]

Welcome Michelle, I too am amazed to hear that a pet shop would sell such a young budgie this is terrible practice on their part.
Im afraid without a picture it isn't possible to say for sure so if you could post one that would be great. From what you say i would doubt its FM as this usually affects the flight feathers quite badly, ie the tail and long wing feathers, the wings will look stunted, can he fly ?

[Hezz]

As Skysmum said, FM affects the flight feathers and long tail feathers more, not the body feathers.

The poor bird probably doesn't know how to fly if it is not even feeding properly. Anything for a quick buck, hey? What a shocking practice!

[michelle]

Yes it can fly now, seems to be flying fine as I said- all other feathers are perfectly fine.

How exactly do I upload a photo? Can't seem to get it to work...

[michelle]

struggling to upload a photo but I will keep trying. Thanks for the link
Should I start feeding it sprouting seeds? Some sites say it's a good idea to do this?

[Hezz]

Sprouting seed and vegetables, seeding grasses - greens are essential to the bird's diet.

If the bird can fly, I am surprised it wasn't eating seed. I have gotten two of mine as young bubs. Both were feeding themselves (the breeders made sure of this before allowing them to leave) but they weren't terribly proficient flyers. Both were still on their "L" plates.

[Hezz]

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/1788/upload-pictures-clips

This might help with your photos. Photobucket, tinypics or the like you will need to be signed up for.

[michelle]

Thanks! How should I sprout the seeds? Do I soak them in water and drain them after about 8 hours then let them stand? (read this on a site somewhere...) And can I use normal bird seed for this or should I get specific seeds?

[michelle]

Thanks for the link for uploading photos... still not working though nothing pops up when I click "reply" and when I try change the photo for my profile it says "page error"... Very weird! Does anyone know why this could be?

[mizloco]

I use imageshack. Upload my pictures to there and then copy the direct link and pop it into the image link on here.

[moonkira *Julie *]

I use photobucket for mine .

[Hezz]

Aug 6, 2013 17:08:32 GMT michelle said:

Thanks! How should I sprout the seeds? Do I soak them in water and drain them after about 8 hours then let them stand? (read this on a site somewhere...) And can I use normal bird seed for this or should I get specific seeds?

You can do them the same as growing sprouts for yourself ...... which I have never done or you can grow them in a pot and just cut them off, which I have done. Just a handful of your budgie's regular seed and see what comes up.

I recently emptied a pot that I was using to sprout some seeds, which my family allowed to die while I was away ..... uhum ..... so emptied out the old soil into the garden and I now have a little patch of millet growing complete will little seed heads! And that was without trying - I just wanted to empty the pot out.

[michelle]

Thanks so much, I'll give it a try