[Osprey]

Oh, God. I hope they aren't sick too. Well, I moved them into CJ's cage because Shadow died (I put CJ in Stormy/Shadow's cage so she wouldn't be lonely). Is it because they have to get used to a new cage?

However, I've given them some lettuce and I think they've eaten it... or maybe they're eating their food when I'm not in the room/looking.

Their little cage was only temporary until I got them a better one. Now I don't have to, huzzah.

So, when they're moved to a new cage, do they have to get used to it first and then they'll eat?

Sorry, I'm just confused... hope this post makes sense. I haven't been able to concentrate lately.

 

[nanay]

Michelle,

I don't know anything specific about budgies, but whenever I move my bourkes to a new cage, he takes a little while to get used to it and seems quite lethargic for a couple of days.

I do know this - watch the droppings very carefully. If the droppings turn black or nearly black, the bird is digesting his own body reserves to survive, meaning it is starving itself. If the droppings are the normal color, the bird is eating more than you realize.

Only one problem with this - certain foods also turn the droppings black, such as fresh pomegranite seeds, sooooooooo - don't change your food offerings while you are trying to figure out if the birds are eating or not. Keep them on the diet they were just on so you can tell if there is or is not any change in the droppings.

I hope they are just fooling you and eating on the sly.

 

[Osprey]

Thank you so much, I appreciate it. I think their droppings are all right. I think they are being sneaky. Silly birds.

 

[Sharon]

Budgies are often "skittish" around new things. I'd say they need to get comfortable in the new cage.

 

[Braveheartdogs]

Oh, God. I hope they aren't sick too. Well, I moved them into CJ's cage because Shadow died (I put CJ in Stormy/Shadow's cage so she wouldn't be lonely). Is it because they have to get used to a new cage?

However, I've given them some lettuce and I think they've eaten it... or maybe they're eating their food when I'm not in the room/looking.

Their little cage was only temporary until I got them a better one. Now I don't have to, huzzah.

So, when they're moved to a new cage, do they have to get used to it first and then they'll eat?

Sorry, I'm just confused... hope this post makes sense. I haven't been able to concentrate lately.

It may be that they are concerned about the new cage. You need to watch them carefully because if they aren't eating for too long, that could be dangerous. I would put several food bowls in, of their regular food, all over the place, so that they have plenty of places to find it. Budgies like to ground feed too so you might put some paper towels at the bottom of the cage and sprinkle food down there for them. they may go right down and start ground feeding.

 

[Osprey]

It may be that they are concerned about the new cage. You need to watch them carefully because if they aren't eating for too long, that could be dangerous. I would put several food bowls in, of their regular food, all over the place, so that they have plenty of places to find it. Budgies like to ground feed too so you might put some paper towels at the bottom of the cage and sprinkle food down there for them. they may go right down and start ground feeding.

Don't worry, I've done that. I think they'll be okay.

@Sharon: Thank you, I think you're right.

 

[stacey101]

Budgies are often "skittish" around new things. I'd say they need to get comfortable in the new cage.

I compleatly agree with you. When ever mine have gotten a new cage or switched it seemed like they didnt eat or even move for days

 

[Osprey]

I think they're eating. I see some (empty) seed hulls.

 

[nanay]

I'm glad to hear they are eating.

 

[Osprey]

Yeah me too. I never really noticed but I guess they don't eat much?

 

[wingedtoad]

You should put some millet in there to quicken their appetite

 

[Osprey]

You should put some millet in there to quicken their appetite

I should get some then

 

[Mir]

Hi there, I sold one of my baby hand raised tiels to a lady 2 weeks ago and he died today. He was only 10 weeks old. I have been breeding tiels for 4 years and this has never happened. The lady just lost her hubby and named the bird after him. She is so devastated that I told her I would raise another one for her. She told me that he was fine this morning-singing, etc, but died a couple of hours later. She also told me that he had black poop.She had fed him cantelope and seedless grapes that she peeled this am. Does anyone know why this little beloved darling might have died. Thanks in advance.

 

[nanay]

Black poop indicates he was not eating. It turns black when they are using their own stored body reserves.

My vet told me that birds will "appear" to be eating often when they really are not. They will still chew on the food, but drop it and not swallow it. This is because a bird that would not eat in the wild would be quickly rejected by the flock since they would know it was sick, and also it would be easy for prey species to realize it was sick. I'm not saying the baby was sick, though. I suspect it just didn't adjust to eating in its new environment for some reason. I'm sure it was eating fine for you before you sold it. The baby would act normal even though it was starving in order to protect itself, too.

I'm so sorry for the bird and for your client. This would not be something she would realize with a new bird, especially if she is a new bird owner.

There may be other reasons for black poop, but I really suspect it simply starved itself to death.

 

[catalinadee]

Whenever my budgies used to stop eating I always used millet. It works with pretty much every bird though haha