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Identifying a sick budgerigar before it is to late |
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Budgerigars can mask all signs of illness for quite some time. When you go into your bird room they will be sitting at their
favorite place in the flight or cage. You may look at them and think that they are a bit on the quiet side but when you approach them they will move to a different position and appear to be ok.
When they start to look fluffed up it is almost certain that they are in the latter stages of whatever illness they have and it is important to act very quickly.
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minimize stress is very important. By catching up the bird can in itself cause it's death, so any quick or sudden aggressive movements should be avoided. In most cases the budgerigar will put up very little resistance to being caught, so take a moment to assess the situation before catching up the bird. The place in which you are going to keep it while it is ill should also be prepared in advance.
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A hospital cage which is heated is ideal but not essential. A small cage or show cage can be used or even a small cardboard box with a little mesh over the front will work. Which ever you use make sure that you have the perching quite low as the bird will have little or no energy to climb to it if it is to high. If available a small amount of wood shavings placed on the bottom can be of help. Once the bird is in the cage or box then it should be removed to a warm place, which has a constant temperature of about 70 degrees, because the bird is ill it will not be able to maintain it's own body temperature
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The next few hours will be critical. Every effort should be made to encourage the bird to drink, as it will be mostly dehydration that will be the cause of death rather than the illness itself. Make sure that the drinker is at an
accessible height and that the bird can reach it without any problems. If after a couple of hours the bird still has not taken a drink then water can be administered by way of a crop tube. |
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These are made of soft plastic and can hold as much or as little water as you like. By holding the bird as gentle as you can you can administer water by the drop. A good measure of a daily requirement of a small bird is about 3 to 4 ml per day. It is a good idea to give this much in 2 or 3 stages instead of all at once as this may cause the bird much discomfort.
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Food should also be offered. Millet soaked in water sometimes encourages a bird to eat and gives a little fluid intake at the same time. Sometimes the use of commercial products used for sick and for hand rearing birds can be used. These can be administered by way of a crop needle and syringe. |
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| Lastly try to identify the illness and treat accordingly. In most cases the quietness of the cage and the added heat may do the trick but if there is no improvement then an antibiotic may be needed. |
