Bad mood recently

[chibudge]

The last day or two Minsky has been a bit grumpy: more nipping, refusal to get in the cage at night, and generally being less friendly. I've also noticed a couple times where he has given the "ouch" high-pitched chirp (not the "where are you" chirp or "I'm angry" squawk) and then preened under his wing. I have a feeling that it might be down feathers coming in. I've noticed more down feathers around the cage than usual, and he is 2.5 months old which means he is due for a moult shortly.

Otherwise he looks and acts perfectly healthy. Any thoughts?

[Tammy.w.]

as you said he is due for his moult then he is probably a little grumpy as he is going into his moult. he should snap out of it though. give him lots of veggies to help him through his moult :)

[Vickie]

My Happy is pretty grumpy lately too, and he's got pin feathers coming out all over. He screeches more, sings less, and sulks in the corner while Honey plays. D:

When he started molting, I noticed lots of downy feathers everywhere, just like you described. So your bird could be going into a molt. I don't know how long a molt lasts though. :S

[louara]

The moulting season is upon us and alot of budgies out there are going through Pre-Moulting
Syndrome-lol Moulting is a natural occurance that happens about 3-4 times a year. You can help your budgie cope with the moult by offering lots of veggies and fruits,the natural vitamins and minerals will make him feel better.He will be moodier and in order to help him you should let him sleep and rest more,his body needs energy in order to build new feathers. You can also offer him baths and a natural perch is helpful so he can scratch his head. It shouldn't take more than two weeks for his feathers to grow back in and then he will be handsomer than ever. Hope this helps:)

[binky'smom]

That may be what is wrong with Binky. I have noticed downy feathers in the cage and boy is he grumpy! Glad you posted this question;).

[chibudge]

Alright, it sounds like it is just the pre-moult. He has plenty of different natural wood perches and has green available for most of the day. He won't eat other color fruits or vegetables yet.

It can't be all bad though. Today I opened his cage and went to get him some food and I heard the normal call looking for me when I left the room. This time he had hopped out of the cage and was sitting on the sofa when I got back -- something he has never done before. Usually he sticks to in or on his cage.

[mlrobert]

My budgie gets anti-social and nippy in the pre-moult/beginning moult stage. Don't know if your budgie likes baths, but they seem to help mine when he's molting. The bathing seems to calm the itching and he's generally in a better mood after.

[chibudge]

He is getting better taking baths, but will have none of it today. I'm sure he is in molt because it looks like a tiny down-filled pillow has sprung a leak around here. There are feathers that look out of place on his sides, and he head is ruffled more than normal. I guess I would be grumpy about it as well.

I think I'll try for again for a bath now.

[chibudge]

He seems to be coming out of his funk. He has been less nippy and more affectionate today. He came out and played on me a couple times.

[lovesbudgies]

Aruba looks terrible all of a sudden she is getting pin feathers. I just noticed it yesterday, the night before she looked fine. Now she has all these pin feathers and is also losing allot of down feathers. She is not that cranky and today I put her tub in her cage and she loved it. I think it helped her feel allot better. If your budgie is moulting try letting her have a bath or spirits with some warm water it will help him feel better. I just can't believe she is moulting again, it seems like it's never ending!!!

[hermit_crab]

My budgie is scratching his head against his perch and very grumpy as well. He is losing a few feathers, but I don't know what the average amount is. He is about 4-5 months old. Could he be molting as well?