Formula, dry skin, bald patch??

[SeeingSpots]

I just got a new baby bird on sunday. He is only 3 months old. When i picked him up i noticed that his feathers on his upper chest were covered in something and didnt look healthy. The owner/breeder assured me it was formula. She said it seems to stick like cement to the feathers, but eventually will come off.

I've noticed that Tipsy seems to be very itchy. He is constantly itching himself, specifically in the area around his neck/upper chest. Today I used a damp facecloth to try and get the formula off and while doing that i noticed that he had quite a few missing feathers in that area.

The missing feathers is not noticeable when he is dry. Only when he is wet, or twists in a funny way.

Is it possible that the caked on formula has dried his skin out so much that he has itched himself raw in the attempt to get it off? Should I continue to remove it with a damp cloth? (i tried letting him bath himself; no luck)

I should add that he is eating, pooping and drinking normally. In fact he has really settled in very well. He is sleeping more then my other budgie does; but im putting that to his age. He tends to have a power nap and then get up and play hard and then nap again.

[ozzie]

I would continue to remove it with a damp cloth if it is causing discomfort for your new budgie :o

[aka.pody]

Aw poor little Tipsy. Cute name by the way.

I don't know anything about handfeeding birds. Never had to do it thank goodness. But from what I've seen on the forum and read about, they will dribble but I don't think it should be as bad as you say it is. This just sort of makes me wonder about the other birds and the breeder.
When you picked him up did you happen to notice the other birds? Was the cage clean when you saw it?
He seems to be acting normal for a young bird.
Can we see pictures? We love baby pictures. :)

[SeeingSpots]

The 4 other baby budgies in with him all had formula on them. The other baby tiels in the cage did not. The cage was clean and all the birds were chirping and playing and generally acting very normal.

This one shows some of the crusty stuff on him.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/Arzosah01/IMG_2438.jpg

He looks a bit better now, the damp cloth got some of it off. Not all though.

This one shows it slightly less, but he just looks so cute ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v442/Arzosah01/IMG_2452.jpg

[atvchick95]

yes hand feeding formula dries like cement I hand feed tiels and once they get a certain age they won't hold still for nothing - half the time not even eating - and hand feeding is a very messy job, I don't know any one who gets every single piece of spilled formula off

there has been times with my tiels it was rock hard and i would sit there and work it loose with warm water while they were eating (defeating the purpose i know but hey for those 2 or 3 mins. they held still at the 1st feeding i used it wisely lo)


how ever it never made any of mine seem to itch more nor did feathers disapear

you might want to take him/her into an avian vet for a check up and have them look closely at the "bald" areas, there may be feather mites

because at 3 months old they are completly feathered

[SeeingSpots]

I agree ATVchick, I'm wondering if there may be something more to it since he seems to be itching his wings as well - and i dont see any formula there.

Anyone know of any avian vets in Brockville or Ottawa?

[SusanBudgies]

Did you ask the breeder whether he's had his first molt?

[SusanBudgies]

...Anyone know of any avian vets in Brockville or Ottawa?
http://www.aav.org/vet-lookup/