shes about ten years old and she still looks like shes hatched 10 days ago. she is close to bald. why is this
2006-10-28 19:47:52 · 5 answers · asked by munna nan 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Well, she's ten. That is getting up there in Budgie years.
I would take her to an Avian Vet, to rule out any possibility of a clinical problem. He may take a skin biopsy to see if she has any bacterial or fungal issues that may cause her to pluck.
You never mentioned if she is a plucker. Does she?
Observe and see if she does.
I do know that birds getting on in years have a tendency to get bald patches and thinning of the feathers. They also get arthritis and cataracts so the feather thinning kind of goes with getting older.
However, please do take her in and see if there are other issues. In the meantime, up her protein and calcium intake. If she'll eat a little chicken, that would be good, egg is good and try and mash up some broccoli. A little yogurt isn't going to hurt her either.
Let us know how she's doing...
2006-10-29 01:51:10 · answer #1 · answered by Phoenix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I would probably take her to an avian vet to have her checked out if it's never happened before. A really hard molt or very sudden temperature changes can cause stress and trauma and would have an effect on
feathers, but sounds like this is more than that. Could be feather mites, boredome (although that would only be balding on reachable parts from plucking) or a severe vitamin deficiency. Try feeding some hard boiled egg and make sure bath water is provided or spray lightly with a plain water bottle daily. Also a good vitamin in the water daily couldn't hurt...just make sure to change that water and wash out the water container absolutely every day or the old water can become toxic and undrinkable.
Since your bird is 10 years old, she could develope any number of medical problems that she never had before, so for so many reasons, a trip to an avian vet is in order and a well worth the cost. Best wishes!
2006-10-29 04:01:24 · answer #2 · answered by oldtrash06 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AW had good suggestions, though in addition check for mites. Sometimes that can cause feather plucking as well (mites are little tiny parasites)
2006-10-29 02:13:53 · answer #3 · answered by yama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. She's plucking her feathers. Check food or any possible stressors.
2. She's going through one heckuva molt. Let it progress, give her good food, maybe a lil warmer (since she has less insulation).
2006-10-29 02:09:58 · answer #4 · answered by AW 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My bird did that when we brought another bird home. It was due to Stress for her. Any thing recently change in your house that may be causeing her to stress out?
2006-10-29 02:28:34 · answer #5 · answered by Katie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋