My budgie is fluffed up and sleepy. What should I do without a vet?

Thanks for reaching out about Sunshine and including a photo. If after the 13 hours of posting, she is still lethargic, a veterinary visit is recommended. If she is cold, providing supplemental heat should improve attitude almost immediately. Birds are often fluffed when ill and conserve energy by being quiet.. Good luck.

It could be that the stress of an environment change/new people is stressing it out some. I would give it a day or so to settle in, and if it still stays fluffed or has other signs of illness, let your friend know and also bring it into a vet. Keeping it warm and with access to food and water may also help.

Thanks for reaching out about Kiwi. A damage flight feather should not alter flight significantly, as they can fly when they molt. Lethargy and sleeping during the day (to conserve energy) are clinical signs of being sick, the question is why. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some support. Monitor fecal production by a total cage clean-out. Sick birds often act like they're eating but aren't. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Multiple possibilities include ingestion of foreign material (metal, fabric, wood, etc.), metabolic concerns (liver, renal), infections (viral, bacterial) and others. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Lemon and including photos. First, try offering some heat support with the goal of the 80-85 F range. A change in routine can be stressful, so trying spending more time with them, for observation and company. If they continue to be lethargic, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

All you can do it home is keep the bird warm in a quiet environment. Encourage it to eat with tasty things. I would always recommend taking a ruffled lethargic bird to the vet as it is usually the first sign of illness such as respiratory infection. Birds need to be treated promptly to have success.

Thanks for reaching out about Pluto. By the signs you listed, it appears that Pluto is sick. A veterinary visit should be schedules soon as once birds show signs of illness, they are fairly sick. Providing additional heat support will help but is not a treatment. Good luck.

Given his age, he should be physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian. His symptoms have multiple causes and may require diagnostics to determine the underlying cause. In the meantime, keep him warm and as stress free as possible until he sees the doctor.