Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 5/29/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
My female budgie has been with my male budgie for a few months. They have a good relationship, they feed/groom each other a lot. I recently bought a nest box for them. Lately, the female is going in the box and staying in there for large amounts of time. I heard that a gravid budgie's droppings are bigger than usual when it's gravid. Is that right? Because my female has been producing big droppings over the past day or two. Is that I a sign she's gravid?
Thanks!


ANSWER: Hi, Georgina.

Your bird is likely about ready to lay eggs.  They don't poop in their nesting boxes, so they hold it until they leave the box, then drop a big one.  This will also happen once eggs/babies arrive...the female will hold her poo as long as possible, then when she relieves herself, it will be a large poo.  This is normal.

Chrys

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again,
just one more thing, I don't think my budgies are getting enough nutrition, what sort of fruits, vegies or plants can I feed them?
Thanks

Answer
Hi again, Georgina.

If your birds aren't getting proper nutrition, do not let them breed until they are on a better diet.  If you don't have healthy adults, they won't produce healthy babies.  

My budgies love cooked brown rice with mixed veggies, scrambled eggs, ramen noodles, brocolli florettes, etc., mixed in with the rice.  They also like greens, such as kale, mustard greens (not lettuce), corn bread, dry sugarless healthy cereals....there's a variety of nutritious, healthy foods you can feed your budgies.  However, be aware that birds won't eat things they don't recognize as food, so you have to keep offering these things daily until the birds eventually try the foods (it takes time for them to recognize these things are food and not toys or something else).

Chrys