Feb 11, 2014 17:26:04 GMT
magic
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 8
|
Post by magic on Feb 15, 2014 18:27:14 GMT
I'm worried. As some of you may know I introduced myself a few days ago and talked about my new baby budgie who I think I'm going to name Joey. I've had him nearly a week now, and he hasn't flown at all. He seems to get himself around by holding things with his beak and pulling himself about. This can't be normal, right? The breeder I got him from said he was 6 weeks old and ready to go - and as a new owner of budgies, who was I to say anything? He had loads of budgies and cockatiels and parrots so I figured he knew what he was talking about. But yeah, as I said before, he hasn't flown. And it seems like he's losing feathers?! I'm not completely sure but he looks like he is, and I found one of his big feathers in his cage. I don't think he's pulling them out (I haven't seen him anyway, and I have the cage next to me in my room so I can keep an eye on him.) He seems fine in himself - he loves eating his seeds (though he always manages to tip his little carton over and get it everywhere) and he's quite hyper most of the time - although he isn't flying he keeps pulling himself up the sides of his cage using his feet and beak which is really worrying me as I'm scared he's going to hurt himself (he's just fell from the top a few times - not far at all but I'm still scared cos he's so little). Is any of this normal behaviour? I feel like he might be younger than the breeder said. But I'm worried there's something really wrong and he'll never fly, and might die
|
|
|
Post by OP on Feb 15, 2014 19:26:10 GMT
I'm not the number one expert here, but I would be hot footing it back to the breeder. I don't believe the little bud should be moulting. I may be wrong. I hope I am. Someone will be along to help you further.
|
|
|
Worried
Feb 15, 2014 21:08:35 GMT
via mobile
Post by ffiscool on Feb 15, 2014 21:08:35 GMT
Ave you called the breeder? I am not sure, but 6 weeks sounds quite young, or perhaps that is normal? Nothing sounds like it is hurting him. Have you opened the cage door to see if he wants to come out, or tried getting him in the cage on your finger?
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Feb 16, 2014 1:01:35 GMT
He should be flying by six weeks old ....... but maybe he is simply a late starter. Are you able to put up some good clear photos of Joey's back so we can see his wings/wing feathers clearly? Does he have a lovely long tail? He should have two thin feathers that are much longer than the rest of his tail feathers. Losing feathers at this age is a bit odd, too.
|
|
|
Post by BudgiesBuddy on Feb 16, 2014 4:36:48 GMT
I can't add much to what Hezz has said already, but it always upsets me when breeders sell birds which are not yet ready for new homes.
|
|
|
Post by samwiseg on Feb 16, 2014 9:08:47 GMT
The breeder should be making sure that he/she can fly and feed for itself before he lets them go, but echo what others have said, speak to the breeder.
Hope all works out for you both x
|
|
Feb 11, 2014 17:26:04 GMT
magic
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 8
|
Post by magic on Feb 16, 2014 22:58:44 GMT
A pic I just took.. I noticed today one of his wings looks droopy? I feel really bad, like this is my fault for taking him away. I'd be so sad if he died.
|
|
|
Post by lemonade on Feb 16, 2014 23:28:49 GMT
Hi Magic, I hope someone else replies, but I am pretty sure Joey is missing some flight feathers. He should have more than one long feather on each wing. And that will definitely be affecting flying ability. I'm not an expert or anything, just a budgie owner, but that's my thoughts. Did the breeder clip his wings? Also, could you post more photos of his wings and tail feather like Hezz suggested above? Where about a are you in the world? Do you have access to an avian vet?
|
|
|
Post by skysmum on Feb 16, 2014 23:35:56 GMT
Magic, this little baby has French Moult which means he looses his main flight feathers. They can live a good life but wont fly. My FM is now 12 and a half years old and the sweetest boy .
|
|
Feb 11, 2014 17:26:04 GMT
magic
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 8
|
Post by magic on Feb 17, 2014 0:44:36 GMT
Magic, this little baby has French Moult which means he looses his main flight feathers. They can live a good life but wont fly. My FM is now 12 and a half years old and the sweetest boy . Oh, really? So this is quite normal? I've just done a quick search and this does seem to be the problem. Do you have a specific cage for your bird? The cage I have for Joey doesn't have a lot of room for him to walk around on the base/bottom (as I wasn't expecting him to not be able to fly) so do you think I should get him a different style of cage? Thank you so much for replying, everyone
|
|
|
Post by budgiefriend on Feb 17, 2014 3:56:46 GMT
Joey sure looks like a handsome little boy. More photos, please.
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Feb 17, 2014 7:09:14 GMT
Magic, it is not normal, but neither is it a death-sentence for Joey. As Skysmum has said, her FM boy is 12 years old!! I will be happy if any of my supposedly more healthy birds make to this age, quite honestly. What you will need to do is provide ladders and steps for him to move around the cage easily. Perches on angles so that one leads to another, and water and food pots placed close to the perches so he can easily reach. You really do have the right to return him to the breeder and kick up one hell of a fuss, but I get the feeling you are already attached to the little guy, and he will be staying put. But this breeder needs to know that this sort of palming off the less than perfect and taking people's money for them is just not on! This has happened to a few members over the last couple of years ......... makes me wonder if it could be the same breeder.
|
|
|
Post by OP on Feb 17, 2014 8:23:20 GMT
I know what I am about to write will not help Magic's situation, but if this breeder knew that he was supplying a budgie with French Moult then I think he should be Named and Shamed then one could find these guys who are stealing peoples money. Also they are supplying a pet which is going to give someone like Magic a lot of heartache, merely because she has not owned a budgie before. That would include myself as well. Even though you will have become attached to this little bud Magic, the breeder needs to know what he has provided you with. I have just noticed Hezz has more or less said the same thing. Sorry Hezz I was getting a bit hot under the collar.
|
|
|
Post by ffiscool on Feb 17, 2014 9:13:13 GMT
I agree.... it is naughty to do that
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Feb 18, 2014 1:12:19 GMT
How are you feeling about all this magic? I can imagine that you may be feeling a bit raw, sad, lost even ....... to find out your new pet is not what you thought you were getting. Stick with us, if you decide to keep Joey on; there are lots of good people on here who can help you through the bad times.
|
|