Yep, lightbulbs put off heat. I used to use a 60 watt bulb until I got a special reptile heat emitter.

He won't get much sleep which is the drawback of using a regular light bulb. The reptile heat emitters put off heat but no light.

If you can, see what the temp is near his cage. A fluffed bird needs his area brought up to at least 80 degrees. That way they don't have to use all their energy just trying to keep warm. 

Annie

Yeah!!! I guess he was cold. I put him by the light and he started to not be so sluggish he started to move around his cage instead sitting there all fluffed up,. He actually got off his perch and started playing with his toys. Thank you everyone. Better safe than sorry I guess, I will be looking into the emitter reptile thing.

 

S/he is doing alot better. I think he was cold so I put a lamp next to his cage and he is more active now. When I get him out of his cage he sits right by the lamp. I think I'm going to get a heated perch. I'm looking into that.

Maya, did the vet look up in her mouth at the choanal slit to see if she has a stuck seed? That does occasionally happen to some birds and they are miserable.  I don't think you could see it unless you know what to look for. Maybe even a sinus flush is needed. I've never had a bird that had to have one, but I have heard of them. Skeeter's Oliver has to have those flushes daily for a genetic problem he has.

OK, I am no vet, but I bet y'all are worn out from listening to her and I bet she feels awful.

Annie

I read the posts concerning the parakeet staying fluffed up all the time.

My Louie has been doing this the past few days and I just put a floor lamp with a 60 watt bulb near his cage to see if he is doing this because he is cold, as was suggested in the various posts.  His droppings are good and he is eating. I also change his food dishes daily.  I  have three small feeders and mix all different types of seed/ pellet food and give him fresh each day. 

 

I guess he is cold, as I have just began using the a/c in the house.  What is this heater for reptiles that I can use?  Can I can a heated perch? 

 

I get Louie's food from a mail order called "That Pet Place".  He seems to like all the different foods mixed together to eat.  I had tried individual foods in several feeders but he did not eat as heartly as he does now with the foods mixed. 

 

I appreciate all suggestions given.  Thanks to all who help out. 

Elaine & Louie the Bird

We'll see if this pic will work. MSN is refusing to allow me to insert some pics today.

 

Reptile Heat Emitter

 

 

This thing is ceramic and puts off no light, only heat. Comes in several wattages. Mine is I think a 75 watt. I use it in a reflective holder that has a big clamp on the base. The reflector is very inexpensive, available at any hardware or paint store or WalMart. But the emitter is kinda costly, about $20-$25. I have had mine for about 16 years so they do last although I only use it when bird is sick.

Annie

Right now I have a 60 watt blub in a floor lamp on Louie's cage.  His cage is covered with two towels.  I don't know why he is puffed up like this and sleeping a good park of the day.  He never does this and when he knows I am in the room and the TV is on, he starts a chatter and sings.  Today no sound is coming from his cage. 

 

He is eating a lot and his droppings look good.

 

I called a vet that comes to the house in a large trailer/van as his office.  He has not called back yet but does work on Sunday, so I hope I hear from him tomorrow.

 

What else can I do in the mean time?  I'm not too knowledgeable about birds, but I am learning. 

 

Louie is also grooming himself alot.  But he is still all puffed up and closing his eyes and dozing off and on. 

 

I will keep you posted about the vet coming to the house tomorrow. Thanks for the information on the bulb, I will look into that.  I hope Louie gets better, I really have grown to love him.

 

Thanks, E

If the vet doesn't contact you early tomorrow, please call him again. The bird is sick. No bird dozes off when his human is paying attention to him unless he's sick.

Birds do take daytime naps but not for long periods and not when there is any activity in the room.

How long have you had him and how old is he, do you know?

I hope he gets better very quickly.

Annie

I have had Louie since April 02 after he was rescued by a friends son. 

 

Louie has always been in the same place in my home.  So the only thing I can think would have caused this was the fact that we just started using the central air this past week, but I don't know why he would have been in a weakened state to have become ill.  He has been eating more than ever and looking and acting normal.

 

If the Vet does not contact me my mid morning, I am going to call other vets to see if I can get to see one. 

 

Thanks for your response.

E

Birdlady,

Elaine answered in a new discussion yesterday. Louie saw the vet.  

 

Here's the discussion.

 

Annie