Male looking a bit thin - keeps feeding his mate!

[budgiepop]

Hello all,

I may be overly-worried, but I've noticed over the last week Gregory (my 2 year old male) has lost some weight, and it seemed to drop off very suddenly    I think he's in breeding condition just now, but his partner (Darling) isn't quite there yet.

He and Darling get along very well - So well, in fact, he wont stop regurgitating his food for her! I'm worried he is regurgitating all of what he's eating for her, and not getting enough subsistence himself... Is this something which can happen? Is there something I should add to their food to help him gain a little weight again?

I currently feed them a mix of egg food, mixed seeds, charcoal and grit. They also get greens from the garden.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you!...

H. x

[skysmum]

You could try hard boiled eggs mashed up, you can also get tonic seed which has grouts in. I buy mine loose in a good local pet shop.
Also offer veg, carrots, sweet corn etc.

[starlingqueen]

Personally I would separate him from the hen. I know of a budgie that starved to death due to feeding his mirror.

[budgiepop]

Oh my!

Ok, well I'm going to try him on the hard boiled egg this morning, see how he takes to it - thanks for the tip Skysmum!

Starlingqueen - I'll heid your warning - If he doesn't make any improvement over the next few days, and if he continues to feed Darling constantly, then I'll have to put him in the spare cage next to Darling. Would be sad to separate them, but if it's a case of life and death then I'll have to do it.

Thanks both for your advice.

H.x

[skysmum]

Good luck with the egg, but do keep a close eye. If it continues separate for a while until he is built up.
They can loose weight and put themselves at risk very quickly .

[budgiepop]

Thanks Skysmum, I will definitely keep a close eye on him. Didn't realise how easily/quickly they can loose weight, but glad you can all help by giving advice, this forum is so helpful!

H. x

[Hezz]

If he isn't interested in the egg, and some aren't, the best alternative is commercial egg-food. It comes as a dry crumble sort of thing, which can be fed dry as is, or moistened into a paste. You may have to experiment to find how he best likes it. For example he may prefer a pot of the dry stuff as it comes, or some sprinkled over his seed, or the moist paste. If dampening it, it needs to be removed and thrown out after an hour or so.

[budgiepop]

Thank you, Hezz. I have tried him on some hard boiled egg, but I'm not sure he went a bundle on it.
I already add egg-food to their main seed dish, so I've just up'd the amount of egg-food I usually add. He seems to look a bit better this week actually. He doesn't look dishevelled any more and generally looks healthier.
He's always been a tiny boy, especially compared to his girlfriend - who is half English and half American budgie.
I will also try the wet egg-food option in a separate dish to see if he likes that. Great idea! Thanks

[Hezz]

You're welcome.