Freddie not eating

[iant]

Hi all, my first post here and I really hope you can help.

Until Sunday we have had 2 birds, Barnie and Freddie (I watched the Flintstones as a kid). Sadly Barnie died after a month of going downhill. Freddie was doing his best to bring him back to his former happy self during this time which had us worried about how he would cope on his own. The first day he was ok but edgey, I presume looking for Barnie coming back, but he has not eaten for 2 days now (and as of writing this he has not had a drink for 10 hours), also he has been silent. We took him to the vets but he found nothing physically wrong. He gave us antibiotics just in case. I don't believe that he has contracted anything from Barnie, so this seems like a reaction to his loss. Barnie was 8 years old and Freddie is 7, neither has known any other birds (except 2 short term visitors that Freddie was only too willing to befriend). We had already decided that Freddie was to get a new playmate should the worst happen. So along comes Bobbins, a young male (6 month or less). We have them in the same room, but they have slept separately. It was our intention to keep them apart, but Bobbins didn't like that idea. To our surprise, Freddie has barely acknowledged his new friend. 

My questions are, will Freddie snap out of this behaviour? Is there anything we can do to help? (he is getting a lot of attention). Has anyone else had this situation, and how did it turn out?

Thanks in advance, Ian.

[lemonade]

Hi, Im so sorry to hear you lost your budgie, I wish I could help you with a proper answer but it sounds like Freddie is missing his old friend pretty badly
I have heard of budgies pining really bad before, but I am not sure what to do in that situation. I hope someone here can give you advice. The worrying thing is if he continues to refuse food and drink you will have to take him back to the vet or he will deteriorate pretty quick.
I hope he gets better and comes around to his new friend. Fingers crossed someone on here can offer more advice

[sweetpea]

I had a bird that grieved when his mate died. It took him about 6 months to recover. He also stopped eating, but would eat when we held the seed pot up to him. I hope Freddie recovers from his loss quickly. Keep on giving him lots of attention. I am sure he will warm to Bobbins in time too.

Fly high little Barnie.

[Hezz]

Unfortunately there is no time line for how long any of us should grieve. Budgies who have been best mates for ages are no exception. Lots of attention for Freddie, and I like Sweetpea's suggestion of offering him food of any sort ..... allowing him to sit with you while he feeds. They will often eat more this way, I found when I was feeding a budgie going down-hill from a tumour. Also try feeding him some more high impact food such as boiled egg or eggfood - he won't need as much to keep his strength up that way.

I suggest it was probably too soon to bring in another bird, and while Freddie has been given a clean bill of health, the new budgie should have been quarantined from Freddie for a good four weeks before they came in close association. For both birds' sake.

Sorry for your loss, RIP Barnie.

[budgiefriend]

Poor Freddie lost his best friend. You've got some good advice... give him lots of attention. Rest in Peace, dear sweet Barnie.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Welcome to forum.
I am sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Barnie.
You have got very good advice here.

[tinksmum]

Welcome to the forum.
Very sorry to hear of Barnie's passing. Freddie needs time like we all do when we lose loved ones.
Hopefully Freddie will accept Bobbins soon, prob a daft question and you most likely have tried offering his favourite food?

[iant]

Thanks for all the advice, we are boiling up some eggs right now. Hand feeding is a little tricky as Freddie only trusts the back of hands (for transport purposes back to his home), but we'll keep trying with him.
Also, I realise that we ignored any kind of quarantine time, but emotion overcame sense on this occasion.

[tinksmum]

As Freddie only trusts the back of hands could you use a wood skewer or cocktail stick to hold the egg & kind of hold it between your fingers?
Just a suggestion

[mizloco]

Welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry for the loss of barnie. I hope poor Freddie picks up soon.

[Hezz]

Aug 14, 2013 15:33:06 GMT tinksmum said:

As Freddie only trusts the back of hands could you use a wood skewer or cocktail stick to hold the egg & kind of hold it between your fingers?
Just a suggestion

That's a great suggestion, tinksmum. I use bamboo skewers all the time - don't know how the egg will go on it, but hey worth a try.

Ian, if you do use a skewer/cocktail stick, just take the very (sharp) tip off with a pair of scissors. You will still be able to thread food on, but Freddie won't stab himself.

[OP]

Or maybe cut the tip off after threading the food on the stick? Just a thought.

[Hezz]

iant, how is Freddie doing now? Have you managed to get him eating?

[mick may]

Aug 15, 2013 1:10:51 GMT Hezz said:

Aug 14, 2013 15:33:06 GMT tinksmum said:

As Freddie only trusts the back of hands could you use a wood skewer or cocktail stick to hold the egg & kind of hold it between your fingers?
Just a suggestion

That's a great suggestion, tinksmum. I use bamboo skewers all the time - don't know how the egg will go on it, but hey worth a try.

Ian, if you do use a skewer/cocktail stick, just take the very (sharp) tip off with a pair of scissors. You will still be able to thread food on, but Freddie won't stab himself.

as always hezz very good advice ...:-)

[Hezz]

Thanks, Mick. How are you?