Posted by KerryC on March 14, 2003 at 19:06:17:
In Reply to: A few questions refuarding Budgie Care posted by Queen on March 14, 2003 at 18:06:31:
:1. I read that other perches post, but not all of it but it raised a question in my mind. I got a few perches which are called "Sand Perches" are they ok for my birds?
>>Put yourself in the birds place. Would you enjoy standing all day on sandy texture?
Now having just said that I will modify it somewhat. I do a cement perch in each of my cages.
However, I never use this as the highest perch in the cage AND I only use 1 per cage.
Why? Because as I stated above they are uncomfortable. Placed lower they are not
sought out as a roosting place and a bird can choose to work it's beak or toes on such a substance.
:2. Why do my Budgies poop green or liquid sometimes? One of my birds has been pooping green but is acting good. Is that because that he might feel cold or he is not eating that much? Cuz my birds eat and some of them "shoo" others sometimes and they go away without completeing thier meal.
>>What are you feeding your bird at the time it's poop is liquid.
Veggies and fruits are full of water, a bird's poop will contain
more water after eating such foods. The birds bial (sp?) is what
causes most of the color change. However if you feed pellets with
a pigment the poop will be the color of the pellet. Birds that eat
a lot of carrots will poop brownish orange poop.
:3. How many times should you give them a bath and how?
>>You can give them a small "tub" of water. But not all budgies are
bathers. Misting the bird a few times a week will also do the trick.
:4. Do budgies have dandruff? Cuz yesterday I was showing my birds out the window and noticed some white spots on their feathers. When I touched it, it came off so i'm wonderin if that was Dandruff? And when I checked with my other birds, they too had the similar white spots coming off when you touch them.
>>All birds have dander. This is the flaking of the wax sheaths the new
feathers are incased in. Some birds like cockatoos have more dander
that other birds. A bird that is not giving off dander is not a healthy
bird.
:5.Do they usually feel hot or cold? Cuz they all stay outside of their cage and I was worried if they would get cold cuz we have ac on at times.
>>Birds feel the heat and cold just like you do. If you put your
birds out side all day when it is 100 degrees then bring them in
where it is 60 degrees, yes this is a good way for them to get sick.
Budgies can adjust to the temp., but extreme swings will make them
sick just like it can make you sick.
:6. How many meals of millets should they eat in a day? I usually see them eating that and not eating the regular seed that much. And they never touch thier apple which is kept in thier bowl.
>>Millet should never be fed as a meal, it is very fattening. It can be
given as a treat now and again. Pump up your birds with fruits and veggies.
Budgies are just like kids they can easily become seed junkies.
When this happens you have to work with them and teach them that
the strange food in the bowles is not going to kill them. You have
to take baby steps. I start out with wet lettuce. It has -0- food
value, but they love to play and role around in the wet leaves. Then
they start to eat them. Once they are eating lettuce well move on to peas
or grated carrots. With the acceptance of a new food move on to the next
one, but remember to also included some of the new stuff they are now
eating.
When you start out feeding fruits and veggies you will need
to take away the seed cups. Give them the new foods in the morning. In
the afternoon give the seed back to them for an hour then take it
away again after that. When you move out of the lettuce into other
foods you might need to sprinkle a small amount of seed on the new
foods. This helps them associate the new stuff as food.
Hope this helps.
Kerry C
