Budgie rehome - 8 new FIDS!

[LoryLady]

Hi all,

SO now officially part of the Budgie sub-forum - yesterday went to pick up the eBay aviary and we thought it came with a 'couple' of budgies that the seller wanted gone with the aviary.

But got there and there was a whole flock of 8! The lady didn't want them anymore and we adopted them all on the spot. Their conditions were pretty dirty, but they're happy and so funny.

They are still in the travel cage while the aviary is cleaned/rebuilt today, just monitoring their eating, behaviour and who is who in the flock!

They've been breeding and there are two fledglings. One of them has a broken/plucked tail and a dirty looking cere. He is running around, eating seed and being fed and cared for by the parents, but his face does look a bit crusty sort of. The nest box I found him in was very dirty. His breathing is normal and his behaviour is okay. Am hesitant to separate him from the parents, especially not knowing how old he is. It's just that the other fledgling (of similar size, but to different parents) looks clean and her nest box was dirty too....

There was a nest box in the aviary for EACH bird (?!). He was coming in and out of the box, would it be best to put just one nest box in the new aviary (in the same place) and they'll sort it out? He can fly. I have seen ones other than the parents feeding him. But last night everyone slept perched, but the parents were on the floor corner covering him with their wings....

[usamma]

Wow congrats!!

I would take the crusty one to the vet to make sure it's not scaley face. If it is, the whole flock will need to be treated at least twice (the mites have 3 week life cycles). I went to the vet the first time for mine, but then bought some Scatt on-line and that's basically what the vet uses. I got that advice from a big-time budgie breeder.

As far as the baby, if he's flying, then you can remove all the nest boxes. His parents will continue to feed him until he's weaned. You can provide a small shelter for him like an overturned box with a hole cut out, in case he needs security for a couple of more weeks. If you leave those nest boxes in there, there's a good chance the hen(s) will lay more clutches. Budgies will have 2-3 clutches per season.

Also in case it is scaley face or some other condition, just be sure to bleach or otherwise disinfect the aviary, especially the wood parts, before you put any birds in it. If you put the new keets in it, and they end up with scaley face you may have to re-disinfect it after they are treated.

[LoryLady]

Thanks usamma, will do! Thanks for the heads up on scaley face disease. Have been careful to touch them last and Monty first.

The aviary is metal, about 2.5m wide and 1.5m deep. There's no wood, but it will be thoroughly cleaned and power hosed before they go back inside.

The nest boxes were sitting on industrial looking shelving that was all rust. I should note that they've been exposed to a lot of rust, not the aviary itself but all the stuff they kept inside, like old paint tins and shelving, etc.

[RXK]

wow, sounds like they were in horrible conditions in their previous "home." so, thanks for rescuing them!!!!

also, i would get the young one with the cere issue checked out by an avian vet (actually, i recommend getting them all checked out to make sure they're healthy) because it sounds like scaly face mites, as Usamma suggested.

also, if you don't know already, my vet told me that they best way to disinfect metal is to scrub it down with soap and water and then use a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. put this on and let sit for at least 30 mins (i would let it dry), and then rinse it off like crazy. (next, i add the step of another soap and water rinse). and, then allow to dry. also, the best way to disinfect wood (i know you don't have any in this aviary, but if you ever have to this was the recommended way) is to scrub down with soap and water and bake items in the oven for 30 mins (sorry, can't remember the temp...can look it up on my vet's site if you like).

good luck and congrats on getting the new flock :). pics would be great ;).

[LoryLady]

Great advice RXK. Had a look at Google at some scaly face mites budgie pics and his face does look like that.

It was a big day yesterday, will take some pics of them shortly. I've called the baby boy Will Ferrell.

[usamma]

The good news about scaly face mites is they are easily treated. The bad news is that it's very contagious and takes a few treatments to get rid of it. I actually plan to treat all my birds about 2x a year for it just to make sure it won't come back. My rescue budgie had the worst case of it that my vet had ever seen.

[LoryLady]

Oh, poor thing. Was this budgie living outside? Just wondering if the mites could be from possible contact with a wild bird.

[LoryLady]

Have read on another forum that many people buy the medicine online and when diluted properly, put a single drop on the back of each birds' neck....

But for this time, the vet is required as it could be something else.

[Eloise]

It sounds like they are in a better home now... Hope to see pictures soon :P