sick budgie?!?

Question
i've asked a question before, and now i have some new ones. i suspected my albino bird Evie was sick. he droppings were watery, she looked week, and some of her feathers on her face were falling out. now, which is only one day later, her dropping is solid again and she seems more lively. she has more feathers on her face again. i've called a local vet that also treats birds because there no avian vets around here. they said that the examination cost 60 dollars, and i dont have that kind of money. i really think she is getting better, but by doing what? should i just go to the vet anyways?
also, i've noticed that both my budgies has small 'rods' growing out of their face. its kind of unpleasent actually. i think its the bottom of feathers, the hard part? i think they're molting, but im not sure.
thanks

Answer
The 'rods' look like plastic right? These are probably new feathers in their sheaths, just as you suspect, molting.  

$60 for a vet visit is really very reasonable.  You should get this done, if for nothing else than to establish yourself as a patient because believe me, it's horrible to have an emergency in the middle of the night and no one willing to see you.  I've had many people tell me how much they regretted not taking this advice, sometimes paying with their little bird's lives.  Certainly it's worth that, right?  No matter how much the bird cost, the life is priceless!

Let me know how it goes