I wouldn't suggest the walnut.

Unfortunately there is so much pesticide and insecticide sprayed in populated areas and you'd be taking quite a chance that they could be in the branches from the tree. Any wood also has to be the UNTREATED kind, and if you have a lumber yard in the vicinity they may be more than plesed to offer some untreated left over bits and pieces of pine. For his size i'd think the softer woods such as pine would be better. It's good for chew toys and usually cut into manageable pieces for the size of the bird.

 

I can't help with the trauma part and the tumor was where on his body? Wonder why the neosporin? was there an open wound?

 

Too2

The only tumor I could think of was in the liver so I went looking and diet seems to play a big issue with all those guys.

Maybe I'll push mine harder to eat a non coloured pellet that is deemed better for them..........

 

Too2

Not a tumor, aahhh.  It was a growth, outside of the body near his privates.  It was small when I took him to the vet, but it grew bigger and batty started picking at it.  So that's where the neosporin comes in.  I also put one of those things around his neck so he would stop picking but.......he just went limp and wouldn't get up!  I made it out of typewritting paper.  It was funny, but it wasn't.  But I did laugh for a while, then I took it off him.  As long as I was putting the neosporin on him he wasn't bothering it.  And I was putting it on him all day long.  He didn't like it, of course! 

               Bluefeather

Several things to address here. Stop feeling like a bad mama. You are obviously trying very hard to learn. We all had to learn at some point how to care for these little wingy guys.

 

The tumor--budgies are known to have tumors. Since his went away on its own, I bet it was a feather cyst that ruptured and healed all by itself. Neosporin is fine for use in small areas on any bird as long as you use the cream kind and not the ointment. Ointment makes them greasy and they lose the insulating value of the feathers. Cream makes the feathers look "funny" but doesn't harm them.

I agree with pine lumber. It must be untreated, and most lumberyards have scrap pieces to give you for small birds. Be sure they are very clean. I also buy carpenter's shims in sealed packages for small birds. They come 16 to a package for about a dollar and are about 8 inches long so can be broken in half for play. Apple trees are wonderful if taken from areas not heavily travelled by cars. I have an old one that needs to be taken out but I am saving its life for use as chew sticks and perches.

 

The overgrowing beak maybe a nutritional problem. Do you put vitamins in his food plus feed pellets or seed that has vitamins added? I caused an overgrown beak once when I put vitamins on soft veggies in addition to feeding a pellet diet. He looked awful. Vet said I caused it so I stopped the vitamins on the veggies and he began to improve. It was normal in a short time, maybe a couple of months. It does need trimming if he is having trouble eating but otherwise it will be worn away by chewing and playing.

 

BTW, I have had birds, from finch size to macaw, for 18 years and there's no way I would ever trim a beak by myself. I do wings and toenails with ease but that beak is way too sensitive. One wrong cut and they are in such pain.

Best wishes.

Annie

 

Their seed comes with raisins and carrots.  I give them honey coated seed treats, but they don't like them.  I've tried the vegetable bars too.  They don't seem interested in them either.  Maybe I should try fresh vegies and fruit. 

     Why don't those people at the pet shop tell us anything?  Because they don't know either!  They need to train these people to know and understand the pets they are selling!  So they can give advice.  OK!  I need to calm down.  I'm venting!

    I use one of those 8 in 1 blocks.   And a cuttle bone. 

 

What if I used a little apple juice in their water?  

 

I have been using: Parakeet molting & conditioning supplement when they start molting.  It's vitamin and mineral enriched.  Am I giving them too much vitamins?

    I'll have to look for the feed pellets where I shop.  I haven't fed them any.

 

                                   Bluefeather

By all means, do try veggies. Dark green leafy stuff like kale, collards, Romaine and such. Not iceberg. It has no nutritional value. Weave it thru the cage bars if he doesn't eat it from a bowl. You can chop it finely or tear it in chunks. Whatever way he will eat is fine. Cook a sweet potato til it's almost soft, but not quite. Leave the skin on. Cut off a piece, size depends on how many birds. Poke it in the cage bars near a perch. Drop the rest in a plastic bag and freeze it for later. Or cut it in pieces before freezing and take the pieces out one at a time. Try peas, shredded carrot, peas in the pod, corn. Chances are they will love the corn and turn up their beaks at the other stuff. Keep trying though to get them eating right.

 

People at pet shops have very little or no training.. They often don't know any more about good nutrition for birds than a new bird owner.

Nothing against them, they need a job, but it would be nice if they could advise us properly.

Good luck.

Annie

 

Bluefeather .... I think we've all "been there" and it does take time but keep offering.

I still offer a couple of mine salads every day, knowing I'll trash it within the hour

 

Too2

 

Another update!  Batty was scratching all the time, so I stopped putting the apple juice in their water and he stopped scratching.  I think he is allergic to apples.  He was doing better.   Now he sleeps all the time again.  I'm afraid I'm gonna lose him soon.

 

 

                          Bluefeather

Update:  They are eating the romaine lettuce.  Still not eating the fruit.  I started them on white grape juice in their water an they are getting use to it.  Batty is looking good. 

   

   I just want to say.....that I am not going to breed my birds.  I don't have the know-how to do that.   I don't want to have any babies to take care of.   All I want to do is take care of my birds, hubby and myself.

 

 

                              Bluefeather

Update:  I was told not to put any juice in their water.  Also budgies are seed eaters, they don't eat fruit in the wild.  Romaine lettuce is ok.  They don't need vegetables.  My peeps wouldn't eat it.  I bought a mineral pineapple it's hard and they seem to like it.

I'm sorry if I seemed rude in my last post.  But I made no mention of breeding my birds. 

                Bluefeather