Droppings

Your bird’s droppings may change if he gets sick. It may change color, be watery, or appear looser than usual. You may also see seeds in his droppings. It’s important to note that change in droppings can be due to something simple like a recent food change.

Appetite

Sick parakeets often change their eating habits. After keeping him for a while, you should know how much he usually eats. Something may be wrong if he experiences a reduced or increased appetite. If he loses his appetite, he may also lose weight.

Feathers

Something may be wrong with your parakeet if the appearance of his feathers changes. They shouldn’t be ruffled or puffed up for long periods of time. Discolored feathers may also occur.

Discharge

If your parakeet is sick, he may produce some type of discharge. Discharge is commonly produced from the nostriles and eyes. Eye swelling and sneezing commonly accompany discharge. These symptoms are usually serious, so you should take your bird to the vet promptly.

Breathing

A sick parakeet may also experience difficulty breathing. This may come in the form of wheezing, rapid breathing, or open-mouthed breathing. Some birds will also bob their tail with each breath they take.

Now you know a few common signs of a sick parakeet. If you’ve never cared for one of these birds before, there are plenty of things you need to learn. So, click here now to start learning all you need to know about caring for a parakeet. Your bird will be very appreciate.

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The health of your bird is directly proportional to the food you give it. It is important that your bird has a balanced nutritional diet. Sometimes the birds die because they are poorly fed or because they get some diseases from the food.

So get well informed on how to take care of your bird and learn the things you can and can

If you are new to bird keeping, it can be very difficult to detect when a bird is ill. The signs that usually prove to be good indications are fluffed up feathers, slightly drooping wings, unwillingness to eat and general inactivity. As you become more experienced, you will be able to assess your bird’s health by looking at its eyes. In a healthy bird, these should be bright and alert. If you discover any difference, you should consider calling out your veterinarian.

You may find that during the winter months, a bird kept outdoors may look rather dispirited. You may be undecided about whether to bring it into the warmth of the house or leave it for another day. If you bring the bird in, you may find it very difficult to introduce it back into an outside aviary after its spell of recuperation inside. Once acclimatized to the warmth, the bird will experience a great shock as it feels the cold again. In fact, it may be best to wait until spring arrives. With this possibility in mind, it is always useful to have some sort of indoor environment available so that when you experience a problem outside, you will have somewhere to transfer your birds without delay.

If your bird suddenly becomes ill, you will find it very useful and reassuring to have a hospital cage standing by. A hospital cage is simply a customized cage where sick birds can recuperate. They usually consist of a wooden or metal box with one side made of glass or wire mesh. The difference between this and a standard cage is that it is fitted with a heating system, usually in the form of a low-wattage infrared lamp fixed to the roof or a number of light bulbs under the floor. The aim is to provide a stable environment with easily controllable heat where you can place a sick bird to recover in peace.

The main objective is to lower the bird’s stress level, so under no circumstance should you attempt to heat the bird up too quickly, as this in itself will cause a great deal of damage. It is not uncommon for a bird to recover extremely quickly during a spell in a hospital cage, so be sure to keep an eye on it and, most importantly, make sure it has a constantly available supply of clean water. If a bird does recover quickly, do not be tempted to put it straight back into its usual quarters; keep it in the the hospital cage for at least a few more days.

It is always a good idea to have a few practical health aids standing by. These should include an antiseptic spray in case your bird injures itself, a hospital cage, another cage set up in a quiet part of your house where you can transfer any of your outdoor birds throughout the winter, and a ‘pick-me-up powder’ to sprinkle on food that will help your bird back to health. And, of course, always have the telephone number of your local veterinarian to hand.

If you have, or you are planning to keep a parrot, it would be a good idea for you to become aware of the various diseases associated with parrots. To reduce the likelihood of
problems arising from the outset, be sure to buy your bird from a healthy collection or from someone who has a good reputation for keeping birds at a high standard.

One possible problem with parrots is obesity. A good variety of seeds, nuts and fruits offered in moderation will keep your bird fit and healthy. The key words here are ‘in moderation’, because you must be careful not to overfeed your bird.An obese bird is prone to heart attacks and can experience various other problems. Occasionally, you may come across a bird that seems to eat very little but still puts on sufficient weight; it is this type of bird that you should keep an eye on in terms of feeding strategy.

Your birds will need worming once, if not twice a year. Once a year is fine for birds kept indoors, but for birds kept in an outdoor aviary, where they could be in contact with wild birds, twice a year is essential. The best time to worm your birds is two months before they are due to breed and/or just after the breeding season. If you worm them during the breeding season, they may stop incubating the eggs or abandon their chicks. Worming can also affect the fertility of the eggs. Various products are available, but if you are a beginner it is best to seek advice from your local veterinarian on the most suitable one for your birds and how to administer it.

At some stage you will need to dust your bird to remove any feather mite or lice that it may have contracted. You do not need to dust birds on a regular basis, although you should check them frequently. Suitable dusting powders are available from your local pet store or veterinarian. When dusting your bird, pay particular attention to the areas under the neck and under the wings.