Budgies are more vulnerable to cold and flu bugs than humans. Budgies can seriously suffer from what humans describe as a simple cold. Be extra careful when you have the flu, that can actually kill them when they are left untreated, or when their resistance is low.
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| Photo © imarocket-man |
Stop your sniffling! How do I protect my budgies?
Rule 1: give them the right food
Let them eat their way to health during the Winter, with the right food and supplements
- brocolli and oranges strengthens their immune system
- a mineral block is also high on the list
- millet is also an immune-boosting snack. Use it wisely and don't overfeed them!
- daily vitamin supply to drinking water
Rule 2: keep your hand in front of your mouth
If possible, ask a healthy person to take care of the budgies for you. A veterinary once told me that a lot of budgies catch an illness through hand contact from humans. In any case, you always have to wash your hands with antibacterial soap before you handle the budgies. It's a good habit and reduces the chances of passing on your germs to the birds. Also keep your hand in front of your mouth if you have a cold, don't come too close to them unless you have to (don't touch them with your mouth) and don't sneeze or cough on them!
I know it's tough to keep a distance from your birds, but you have to do it for their sake.
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| Photo © throughmycameraseyes |
Rule 3: warm, cozy home
Budgies hate to be in a cold, moist climate. They thrive much better in warm and dry places. That's why I recommend you to keep them in a sufficiently warm room during day and night. You can also buy an Avian Sun, which is a lot like a UV-lamp, but for birds. It partially makes up for the absence of sunlight and vitamin D during the Winter.
