Sick? Any advice sought

[Lyrical13]

I got a budgie from someone on Sunday.... I was told she's a year old. I was told she was starting fights with another female because of a male they all shared a cage with.

First day she was quiet...attentive....scared...

I've been speaking to her continuously, music has been playing, my other critters play during the day/night...

She only started making budgie-talk yesterday a little, and quite a bit more today.

However, she appears to have problems keeping awake....

I know my mammals from A - Z, and know next to nothing about birds.
I tried finding info on the net relating to being able to tell if she's sick. I know when in doubt, vet is key, but it's passed working hours and would rather know ahead of time what I'm dealing with (approximately).

Also, I've more experience with having to tell vets what's wrong/what action to take, than them informing me of anything (read: I've had bad encounters with vets being wrong about my animals).

Is it that she's just settling in and sleeping off the stress? What do I look for to tell if she's sick?

Also, I don't yet handle her. No idea if she's hand-tame, but I know she was very antsy when I added a treat inside the cage. I doubt she'd be comfortable with me reaching in to look her over.

Thanks in advance!

ETA: OK, she won't spazz with me putting my hand in. She even 'stepped up' (sort of) on my finger... She just wandered around the cage, hopping, but didn't fly around scared. I didn't want to push too much but she seemed comfortable enough knowing my hand was in there. She went to her treat and ate from it during that time. She's snacking again now.

[kellywess]

She is probably is just settling in. Is she eating and drinking okay. How do her droppings look? Are you covering her cage at night? If not I would just to ensure that she settles down and gets some rest.

[HEATHEsaurusREX]

She is probably still getting used to her surroundings. If she's ill some signs are sneezing runny poop (but runny poop can also be caused by stress) also she'll fluff up, and have problems keeping her balance and therefore will sleep with both feet firmly on the perch or on the cage floor. Keep an eye on her for few days, f she doesnt perk up she may also be lonely since keets are VERY social and if she isnt tame or atleast in the process of being tamed she isnt getting nearly enough interaction... maybe get her a buddy?

[Lyrical13]

Covering her cage at night, and one corner during the day to give her a 'nook', I did the latter because she seemed a bit overwhelmed. She's also on a china cabinet (of sorts) at the moment as the cats were overwhelming for her (well, everything was the first day).

She is eating the millet spray that she (and her cage) came with.
I'm not sure if I've noticed a depletion in her seeds. I do believe she's drinking (haven't seen her doing it, but it's also depleting and I saw some seeds in the tray).

Her droppings....erm.....what to look for? Black, solidish...with white?

[kellywess]

Is she eating anything else besides Millet Spray. Dropping should have three things... "poo" (can var in color depending on what bird is eating), "urates" which are white, and "urine" which is clear.

[Lyrical13]

Note: my camera sucks.
That said, it shows better than what my newbieness can describe...

[shosh]

Droppings looks ok to me although it's kind of hard to tell....
Does she have regular seed in her cage? Birds will always go for the treats before the regular food so that might not be the best thing...I would give the treat only as that: a treat. I might also suggest adding some dark, leafy greens to her cage....get a clip and hang a nice piece of swiss chard or spinach up there dangling near a perch ( romaine is a favourite but not as high in calcium or vit. A)

On another note, My vet advised me against those sand perches or those sand paper things that go over the perch...they can actually cause ulcers on the bottom of the bird's feet....
When you have a chance, Id remove them and get your new girl a few different types of perches...rope ones are great, they LOVE them...also a wood one would be good. Birds also really like swings so you might want to pick that up along with a couple of toys for her to play with.

She's very pretty....I'm sure once she settles in, she'll be a wonderful new friend.

[Lyrical13]

mmmm k. Update this AM. It appears as though she has poop stuck to her bottom, as though she's a bit constipated?

Any ideas how to help her with this as she's still quite shy/scared...?

[shosh]

She'll probably take it off herself...if she doesn't, you can always reach in and grab her to remove it....but give her time to get it off herself.

Keep an eye out for any unusual behaviour.....lethargy, fluffiness on perch, etc.She doesn't appear to be ill, probably just ill at ease.

Let her settle in for a bit....good food, water, toys, etc. and some nice, soft words from you should work wonderss.

Some birds settle in very quickly...others take more time. A lot of other "critters" might be making her uneasy as well....what other animals are we speaking of???

[Lyrical13]

....
well

2 dogs

2 cats (who are locked in bedroom during the day while I'm at work, they prefer hanging out there)

2 rabbits caged in the same area as Budgie

a hedgehog running in his wheel during the night (need to replace it, sounds like a helicopter overhead)

And the fish and RES turtle likely don't bother her..

No one harasses her cage..well the kitten wanted to visit last night but I discouraged that.

Thanks for the what-to-look-for, will keep eye out certainly. I realize I've moments of being overly concerned, especially when I'm new to something (ok fine I'm just a worry-wort when it comes to my brats).