How to perform a home health check

Doing a gentle health check at home is one of the best habits a budgie owner can develop. It helps you catch problems early, track changes over time, and keep your budgie happy and healthy.

A full home check only takes about 5–10 minutes and can be done once a week.

🐦 Start by Observing First

Before touching your budgie, watch them quietly for a minute or two.

Look for:

• Normal energy levels and movement

• Regular preening or stretching

• Clean, bright feathers

• Balanced perching on both feet

• Normal breathing (no wheezing or tail bobbing)

• Regular chirping or interaction

If anything seems off before you even handle them, take note.

✋ Hands-On Health Check (Gently!)

Once your budgie is tame or used to being handled, you can carefully perform a check-up. If your budgie isn’t comfortable being held, you can still do most of these checks visually through gentle observation.

✅ Step-by-Step Home Health Check

1. Weight Check
   Use a digital kitchen scale and weigh your budgie in the morning before feeding.

• Healthy weight is usually 30–40g, depending on size.

• Track weight weekly — sudden drops may signal illness.

2. Feather & Skin Condition
   Check for:

• Smooth, well-aligned feathers

• No bald spots or excessive molting

• No flaky, dry skin or visible lumps

• Clean vent area (no stuck poop or staining)

3. Eyes, Beak & Nostrils

• Eyes should be clear and round, not watery or crusty

• Nostrils (nares) should be open and clean

• Beak should be smooth, not overgrown or flaking

4. Feet & Legs

• Check for scaly build-up (a sign of mites)

• Look for redness, swelling, or sores

• Nails should be short and not curling in

5. Breathing

• No clicking, wheezing, or open-mouth breathing

• Tail should not bob with each breath

6. Droppings
   Look at their poop before cleaning the cage:

• Healthy = firm, dark solid + white urates + clear moisture

• Watch for color changes, diarrhea, or foul smells

📋 Keep a Health Log

Write down any changes weekly — weight, feather loss, droppings, behavior, etc. Over time, this helps you:

• Spot illness faster

• Give your vet detailed info if needed

• Track how your budgie reacts to diet, environment, or stress

🧡 Final Tip

Your budgie won’t tell you when something’s wrong — but their body will. A weekly health check is one of the most powerful tools you have as a bird owner.