My budgie has pink skin & fluffed feathers. What home remedies help?

Thanks for reaching out. Antibiotics in the water are never a proper treatment, as you have no control over dosage. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give aid. You need to find a veterinarian with avian experience, try the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV.org) as they have a find-a-vet area. They probably did not die from getting cold, but probably didn't help. They need to be seen ASAP and given systemic antibiotics and dosed appropriately. If not eating, need to be syringe fed as young birds have no energy reserves. See a veterinarian ASAP. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Yes and including photos. Birds fluffed their feathers to provide more insulation, whether cold or ill. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some comfort. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and help determine why he is acting ill. Monitor for food and water intake, might have to be separated from other bird to determine. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Sky and including photos. Birds are typically fluffed when cold or ill. A veterinary visit is recommended, sooner than later. Providing heat support can give some aid but is not a cure for illness. As a new bird, moving to a new home can be stressful for a young animal, and suppressing the immune system, allowing subclinical infections to manifest. Good luck.

Thanks for your question about The Little, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful! The fraying at the edges of the feathers can be due to him overgrooming, but it may also be due to the feathers being on the body too long (basically a molting interval that is too long). When that happens, the feather can lose some of its strength and can be damaged more easily. These conditions are often a result of stress or nutrition. In budgies, the most common nutritional deficiency that results in this is a lack of vitamin A, which is typically found with seed diets. Ideally, budgies would eat a combination of at least 50% pellets, and the remaining 50% can be made of produce and a small amount of seeds. Vitamin A deficiency can also result in the skin being dry and flaky, and it can also look irritated or red. This may be contributing to the changes that you are seeing on the face and feet as well. Alternatively, there are some parasites that affect feathers and skin, however if this is the case you have caught it early. I would recommend considering a diet change if applicable, and a wellness evaluation for The Little with your veterinarian to get a thorough physical examination performed. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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 Sprout and including photos. Being fluffed is a general sign os possible illness, nothing specific. A veterinary visit is needed to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some aid but is not a treatment. Monitor food and water intake. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Bambi. Dull eyes and fluffed feathers are general signs of illness and not specific for any particular disease. Providing heat support in the 85-90 F as an incubator can give some comfort, but is not a substitute for a treatment. Offering water via a small syringe can help maintain hydration. A veterinary visit is highly recommended to assess Bambi's health, to provide diagnostic and treatment recommendations and to review diet/husbandry. Good luck.