Fred and Ginger went to the vet

So I took them to the vet yesterday to have them checked out. First off, night before last I noticed a lump on Ginger's back so I was especially glad that they could get in so soon! Fred is all good. Good weight, good feather, just good in general, other than the vet said it appears that they had both been around alot of smoking, which did not surprise us. Ginger is pretty rough looking and the vet "thinks" she is older than we were told, however she said it could be partly the condition she is in that makes her appear older (we were told she was 3 or 4 and Fred is suppose to be 2). The lump on her back is on her preen gland and could be a tumor, or could be an ingrown feather. Her weight is a little heavy, she is 12 grams heavier than Fred. She said hopefully she will improve with a better diet (they have been on all seed). She said to continue with the quarantine from our other fids and keep an eye on the lump. She said we could do a biopsy, and that may be what we do at the end of the quarantine, but for now we will watch. She trimmed her VERY overgrown beak and nails (Fred's were fine). The new cages and perches are suppose to arrive on Tuesday and we are going today to get toys, although it appears that neither of them know how to "play". I am starting some sprouts for them today. I am going to try misting them today and see how they react. Anything else I should do?

Awww, what a sweet photo, Leanna. I'm glad the vet visit went well, hopefully Ginger's lump is an ingrown feather rather than anything more serious. If Ginger wasn't able to preen properly with the overgrown beak that could have lead to an ingrown feather. I know both birds will thrive in your care, Leanna, thank you for adopting Fred and Ginger.

Sounds like you're doing everything right, enjoy getting to know your newest flock members.

All birds are different but my cockatiel prefers toys made for smaller beaks and even then it takes her a few days to play with any new toy for the first time.

Allee said:

Awww, what a sweet photo, Leanna. I'm glad the vet visit went well, hopefully Ginger's lump is an ingrown feather rather than anything more serious. If Ginger wasn't able to preen properly with the overgrown beak that could have lead to an ingrown feather. I know both birds will thrive in your care, Leanna, thank you for adopting Fred and Ginger.

Sounds like you're doing everything right, enjoy getting to know your newest flock members.

All birds are different but my cockatiel prefers toys made for smaller beaks and even then it takes her a few days to play with any new toy for the first time.

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Thank you! I made them a couple toys...Fred didn't touch his but Ginger actually did chew on hers a little (YAY!!!...I think Ginger was Fred's chew toy)

I agree with Allee. My tiel takes a few days before she will come close to a new toy or perch. My tiel loves cork. Its her favorite toy. She also loves straws and her homemade foraging basket. She prefers natural colors over artificial but she has a mix of both. She sleeps on a corner perch. Im not sure if its normal but she sleeps with her body tilting down. Like her body is slanted with her head pointing at the bottom of the cage.

kalypso123 said:

I agree with Allee. My tiel takes a few days before she will come close to a new toy or perch. My tiel loves cork. Its her favorite toy. She also loves straws and her homemade foraging basket. She prefers natural colors over artificial but she has a mix of both. She sleeps on a corner perch. Im not sure if its normal but she sleeps with her body tilting down. Like her body is slanted with her head pointing at the bottom of the cage.

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Thanks. I actually have corks to make toys out of so I will try that. I was able to get Ginger out today with not too much trouble. I opened the cage and waited until she came out on her own and then was able to scoop her up. I don't think she knows how to step up but she wasn't aggressive...just scared.
The way your tiel sleeps sounds cute. I will get a couple corner perches and see if they like them.

When I had my rescue tiel, he was 15 when I got him, he didn't know how to play either. I only had him 2 years before he past away, but he came to love 'softer toys' like wicker, thin/grass like, and preening type toys. He never touched actual toys. Plus, you can try giving them a large shallow bowl of water and see if they might give them self a bath (it was the only way my guy really would). Gl with these two and bless your heart for taking them under your wing

So we've had Fred and Ginger for a little over a week. Fred is a real sweetheart. My granddaughter can even hold him. He still hasn't played with his toys but I will keep switching them out and trying. He doesn't eat much other than seed, but I will keep on that too. Ginger, on the other hand, will eat ANYTHING now! I don't know why she was on an all seed diet. She will eat pellets, banana, brown rice with broccoli and carrots, pretty much anything I put in her bowl. She eats so fast and is always looking around nervously, so I wonder if she had to be careful when they were caged together, to be able to eat. The sprouts are ready so I will try those today. I'm also going to order some Goldenfeast to try for all my fids. I have seen her start to play with a couple of her toys, but not whole heartedly yet.

Here is a pic of Fred and my granddaughter...

Awww Leanna, what a sweet photo of your granddaughter and Fred. She must be charmed by your new cockatiel couple, I can't wait to see their portraits when your budding artist does them.

Ginger must be thrilled with her own space and lots of good food. I think she will be friendly too once she adjusts to everything.

How awesome and fun! Pics are great!

I love teils also. I will say...mine aren't very playful either, but if they do play with something, it usually a bell, or something with a bell on it.

My teils are also very good eaters, which I love...they also love it when I pick fresh grass for them...I stuff a big clump through the bars of their cage and thy enjoy preeni g it, chewing it and pulling grass strands out, rolling it around in their beak and dropping then dropping it.

Good luck with Fred and Ginger...love their names!

Toni