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Birds--General/Parakeet health

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Expert: - 8/10/2006


Question
My keet has been sleeping a lot and is puffing up.  His sere is looking dark and a bit crusty.  Help!

Answer
Hi, Leslie.  Thanks for posting.

A "dark" and "crusty" cere...is the cere normally brown/tan/beige/white?  If so, your keet is a female and the dark cere most likely means she's in breeding condition at the moment.  This doesn't mean she's about to lay eggs or anything, although this is a possibility.  It means her body is in condition for mating if she has a mate.  

How long has your keet been sleeping a lot and puffing up?  Is your keet puffing up when she is NOT sleeping...this is important?  Is she on the cage bottom or still perching?  How old is the bird?  Are there any other signs of illness, i.e., droppings not right, not eating/drinking, other abnormal behaviors?  I need more information in order to help.

Thanks.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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