Ever since I got my budgie I haven't seen him eat his food. I have a seed mixture and several kinda of pellets, and nutriberries. His droppings are watery and green, it's not solid at all. The only time I have seen him eat is when I dropped a seed from my hamster's food and he ate it. But none of those seeds are in his food mixture. And also, I think he's losing weight. There's a line going down from his crop is all the way down his belly. Oh, and there's dried up droppings around his rump area. It was not like that when I got him.
I don't Think my Budgie is Eating
- Thread starter betaseal
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itchyfeet
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- Nov 1, 2014
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Was he fully weaned when you brought him home?
Flboy
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- Dec 28, 2014
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Gosh, I really want Butter to be ok! You have been working towards this for at least 9 months!
Ann333
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- Jan 8, 2015
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--PUMPKIN - male YS GCC. Hatched Halloween Day 2014. Came home Jan. 4, 2015. Started talking in July '15!
-BUTTERNUT- female TYS GCC Hatched in late Jan. 2016 and came home March 14, 2016
Oh no! Poor Butter. It sounds like you really need to take him to the vet. Some vets will let you make payments if money is an issue but this is serious. Keep us updated.
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Update: I have managed to get butter to eat a little bit of food. For some reason he won't eat out of a dish or foraging box. He will only eat off the ground for some odd reason. Butter is currently asleep, but I'll check and see if he gets any better tomorrow. I hope it's just stress-related and nothing serious. Fingers crossed!
(Oh and I'm not exactly how old he is. But I'm pretty sure he's old enough to be weaned by now.)
(Oh and I'm not exactly how old he is. But I'm pretty sure he's old enough to be weaned by now.)
Ann333
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--PUMPKIN - male YS GCC. Hatched Halloween Day 2014. Came home Jan. 4, 2015. Started talking in July '15!
-BUTTERNUT- female TYS GCC Hatched in late Jan. 2016 and came home March 14, 2016
Eating is good but the poop worries me it should not be sticking to his feathers like that. Even a stressed out bird should not be showing their breast bone and be covered in feces, it isn't normal. I really hope you get him to the vet in time.
Kyoto
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Kyoto (AKA Kyo)-Green Cheek Conure
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I had budgies with this problem and never took them to the vet due to believing they were fine. Don't make my mistakes again, I'm sure they suffered and they have all since passed away in the care of my ex. If I could go back in time and make everything better I would, but I can't 
you will regret not getting Butter checked out. Please for his sake take him in if you can.
you will regret not getting Butter checked out. Please for his sake take him in if you can.
Kiwibird
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- Jul 12, 2012
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Poor Butter He is so cute and you have been really preparing for him. The loose droppings can be due to not eating and stress of the new environment, but they could also be early signs of something more serious. I agree he needs to see a vet. Even if it is just stress, better to know than to have it be an infection and not get it treated in time.
P.S. If he came from a pet store, they often only have dished on the ground in their budgie enclosures. Butter may not have "known" to look for food in any different spot. A small, shallow dish on the floor may be what he needs right now so he can eat normally and get his strength up. I hope he is ok!
He is so cute and you have been really preparing for him. The loose droppings can be due to not eating and stress of the new environment, but they could also be early signs of something more serious. I agree he needs to see a vet. Even if it is just stress, better to know than to have it be an infection and not get it treated in time. P.S. If he came from a pet store, they often only have dished on the ground in their budgie enclosures. Butter may not have "known" to look for food in any different spot. A small, shallow dish on the floor may be what he needs right now so he can eat normally and get his strength up. I hope he is ok!
- Jan 19, 2014
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Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Although it's pretty normal for new budgies to not really eat for a couple days, and eat very little for the first week or so, Butter still should be checked out by an avian vet I agree. Especially since his weight loss seems obvious. I really hope that he is okay. Please keep us posted.
- Thread Starter
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- #12
Another update: I woke up to Butter eating and I'm so relieved. The line on his crop is a lot less prominent and he seems a little better. I'll check up on his poop to make sure that is alright too. As far as going to a vet, my mom doesn't want to take him unless he has a serious health problem. Nearly every animal I have had in the past has had some sort of "major health problem" that somehow cleared up before any action could be taken. But hopefully his condition will clear up soon. Thanks for all your advice guys, I really appreciate it.
- Jan 19, 2014
- 14,233
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Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Good, I'm glad to hear Butter is now eating. With the 3 budgies I've had experience with, all of them got off to a slow start not really eating for 2-3 days when they were new, then as they got more comfortable they started eating (and pooping) like normal.
Your mom needs to know that birds are not like mammals. Birds (being prey animals) hide their illnesses, and might only show a very subtle sign that something is off. By the time it is obvious it's often too late.
As Butter gets more accustomed to being in your home over the next few weeks, you should start seeing him do more of the 'normal' things that budgies do. They're generally energetic, playful, and like to vocalize, as well as having a good appetite (and produce a good amount of poop for their small size)! I hope all is well with Butter, and that all you're seeing is the stress/adjustment phase. I'd love to hear an update as time goes by.
Your mom needs to know that birds are not like mammals. Birds (being prey animals) hide their illnesses, and might only show a very subtle sign that something is off. By the time it is obvious it's often too late.
As Butter gets more accustomed to being in your home over the next few weeks, you should start seeing him do more of the 'normal' things that budgies do. They're generally energetic, playful, and like to vocalize, as well as having a good appetite (and produce a good amount of poop for their small size)! I hope all is well with Butter, and that all you're seeing is the stress/adjustment phase. I'd love to hear an update as time goes by.
- Thread Starter
- Thread starter
- #15
He's been eating quite a lot. As far as pooping goes he hasn't pooped as much as he normally does but the droppings are a lot less watery and are getting darker.
Allee
Well-known member
Thanks for this latest update. I hope Butter continues to do well, hopefully in the next few days he will adjust and start to thrive in his new home.
Ann333
New member
- Jan 8, 2015
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--PUMPKIN - male YS GCC. Hatched Halloween Day 2014. Came home Jan. 4, 2015. Started talking in July '15!
-BUTTERNUT- female TYS GCC Hatched in late Jan. 2016 and came home March 14, 2016
So glad he is doing better!
gracebowen
Active member
When I got Ace (budgie) he didn't eat at first either. now he eats quite well. For weeks I offered fresh veggies and fruits. He just threw everything. Hes still not keen on fruit but he loves his veggies. Oh and of course he loves the junk food such as chips. I didn't and don't feed on purpose but he has stolen a bite or two.
He ate eggs today. Hes finally learned/accepted that whatever I eat is food. Now I have to watch what I eat when the birds are out.
Hang in there. I'm sure Butter will be fine.
He ate eggs today. Hes finally learned/accepted that whatever I eat is food. Now I have to watch what I eat when the birds are out.
Hang in there. I'm sure Butter will be fine.
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