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Budgerigars are among the hardiest of all pet birds when kept in clean, dry surroundings and fed a high quality diet.
Trimming beaks and claws
It is essential that your budgerigars beak and claws do not become too long as this will cause him discomfort. If the beak becomes over long the bird may be unable to eat. If you think that the claws or beak need trimming it is best to take the bird to your local veterinarian as if you trim incorrectly it will cause profuse bleeding and endanger the bird.
Bathing
Budgerigars enjoy a bath. Provide a wide, shallow saucer of water at the bottom of the cage several times a week. The bird will bathe and splash about before returning to its perch to dry. Remove the saucer of water and make sure the cage is dry. It is important not to allow birds to bathe late in the day when they may remain damp.
In summer, budgerigars also enjoy a spray with a very fine mist of water.
Worming
All budgerigars should be wormed regularly with a worming prepartion recommended by your vet.
Caring for a sick Budgerigar
Unfortunately some people do not take the health of their bird as seriously as they would the health of their dog or cat.There is no justification for this. A bird can suffer just as much when it is ill as any other pet, but the signs of illness are usually not as noticeable. It is vitally important that you become familiar with your birds "normal" behaviour so that you can more easily detect when it is ill.
There is no substitute for taking a sick bird immediately to a veterinarian - particularly one who specialises in birds. It is very difficult for an owner to diagnose illness in a budgerigar because the same symptoms can appear in more than one complaint. This, and the fact that budgerigars lose condition quickly when ill, make it imperative to seek prompt veterinary advice if a problem arises.
If you suspect your bird is ill, first telephone your local vet and discuss the symptoms with him. In some cases he will be able to offer an immediate solution, rather than asking to examine the bird. Special treatment cages or "hospital cages" are available for birds. These are small heated cages that allow your bird to fully recover in dark, warm, quiet surroundings.
At other times an examination will be necessary, or the vet may even refer you to a specialist bird veterinarian who will be better able to deal with the problem.
Common health problems
The following are the most common signs of illness in a budgerigar.
Loss of appetite
A budgerigar may lose his appetite for many different reasons. If your budgerigar stops eating, you must treat it as an emergency because a budgerigar cannot survive without food for very long. Birds may beocme seriously ill after only 24 hours without food.
Check for seed husks building
up in the feed bowl from time to time during the day, or watch that it
is eating regularly. A healthy budgerigar eats small quatities of seed
at regular intervals.
NOTE:Sometimes budgerigars stop eating if they are given a sudden change of diet. If you decide to change your birds diet, you must do so gradually. Add the new seed mixture to the old in increasing quantities over a period of at least seven days.
Abnormal droppings
A healthy budgerigar's droppings are firm and black (with a small white component). If the droppings become green, the budgerigar has diarrhoea, which may be caused by eating too much green food. In that case, stop feeding greens immediately and the droppings should return to normal after 24 hours. If you have not been feeding greens, or the symptoms do not disappear after 24 hours, it is likely that your budgerigar has a more serious problem and you should seek veterinary advice immediatly
Other abnormal dropping colours to look for are yellow, grey, red, all black or all white. Completely white droppings indicate the bird has been starved for a period of time, so if this occurs check that your bird has had enough seed and that it has been eating.
Feather loss
If your budgerigar starts to lose a small number of feathers this will most likely be due to a simple moulting which is a normal occurrence about once a year, usually in spring or summer. It is crucial that your budgerigar receives the best possible nutrition during the moulting period otherwise the regrowth of feathers will take much longer.
As well as natural moulting, birds may lose feathers by plucking themselves, usually starting at the chest. A budgerigar will do this when he is bored, stressed, exhausted, living in overcrowded conditions, or not receiving adequate nutrition.
Sitting on the floor of the cage
It is quite common for a sick budgerigar to sit on the floor of his cage. Budgerigars respond this way to a variety of causes e.g. chills, shock (due to a sudden fright), digestive problems, weakness through lack of food, or muscular or joint problems.
If your bird behaves in this way, check that it has been eating and that the room temperature is suitable for it. If you can't solve the problem call your vet.
Fluffing up the feathers
Fluffing up feathers is not necessarily a sign of ill health. A budgerigar may do this when he is temporarily feeling hot or cold, or to aid in drying himself after a bath. However if a bird remains fluffed up continually it indicates a more serious problem. Seek advice from your vet.
Scaly face
Budgerigars are very susceptible to mites which mainly affect their face and claws. Scaly face mite results in a crust appearing around the beak, cere and sometimes the eyes.
If your bird is affected by scaly face mite you should apply an insecticidal powder or lotion recommended by your vet.
Breathing diffculties and panting
Any type of breathing disorder is a serious problem. Panting occurs only in extreme situations. It can be brought on by heat exhaustion, heat stroke or respiratory disorders. Your vet should be contacted immediately if your budgerigar starts to breathe abnormally.
Goitre
Goitre (or enlargement of the thyroid gland) can be a problem in adult budgerigars. In pet budgerigars the result of lack of iodine in the diet is a common cause. Feeding a nutionally complete diet will prevent this.Sluggishness, and laboured breathing accompanied by a high squeaky voice (this is because the thyroid gland enlarges and presses on the voice box.) are the symptoms.
Goitre can be treated, so contact your veterinarian if your bird exhibits these symptoms.