hard boiled eggs

Question
QUESTION: Hi Leah
Just wondering if you can feed hard boiled eggs to my budgies. She has 2 babies and wondering if it would be good for them. I do feed both the male and female lots of healthy veggies, but not sure about eggs and what parts they can eat.

Thanks in advance.
Selina

ANSWER: Yes, yes, yes!  Eggs are very good for budgies, especially those with babies, and they can eat the whole thing.  The shell has calcium, the yolk has carbs and nutrients, and the white has a lot of protein.  It's a budgie super food!

What I do is boil it and then let it sit for a while until it's at room temperature.  Then, smash it up, shell and all into crumbly bits.  Then give them it on a saucer or dish.  That way, they have a little of everything.  Since they naturally pick through their food, it gives them a chance to explore it.  Some like the yolks, some like the whites, some only eat the shell.

Any type of egg should be fine.  Chicken eggs are usually cheapest.  Some people only give them cage free or organic eggs, but it doesn't make a very big difference if any.  Just whatever you happen to have in the fridge (as long as it's not too old) should be fine for them.

You can also give them scrambled if you want, but some people put milk in scrambled eggs.   This can sometimes upset their stomachs, so if you give them scrambled eggs, just use the egg.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you, they loved it!!!!!
I do have another question about my youngest baby, He is 15 days old today but he has a splayed leg. I think because they were born on the bottom of the cage and the parents kept moving away the bedding, so he couldn't get his footing. But I am wonder what I can use to split that leg?? and how do I keep the split on for???
I also want to mention that he is doing well and eating lots, he just can't move around like his older sibling.

ANSWER: Since he's still very young, if you take him to a vet, they can splint the legs to prevent further damage.  You need to do this quick though.  At this age, the cartilage in their legs begins to harden into bone.  If it hardens completely, the deformation will be permanent.

I've seen some homemade splints, but these usually don't work as well, and the parents don't like seeing it on their baby's feet, and will pick it off.  The ones you can get from a vet are sturdier.

Splayed leg only effects mobility.  He can still eat, drink, and be around other birds, he just is a bit disabled.  You'll want to try to fix it as quick as you can because it will make it harder for them to perch and land when they fly.

Keep me posted on how he's doing!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again Leah
well my little guy has his splints on his legs and it looks funny. He can't walk and lays on his belly with his legs sticking out dragging behind him. I have never had this before and my question is will he learn to stand up and walk with the splint on???
The mother keeps trying to take it off but she is still feeding him, so I know that part I don't have to worry about, he kind of drags him self around. Is there anything I can help with him standing up and walking??
I really appreciate all the help you have given me.

Answer
Leave it on.  Trust me, it may seem cruel, but it's only temporary.  Once he's about 4-6 weeks old you can take it off.  He will be able to stand and walk, but the splint might make it take longer.  Once his legs have strengthened and straightened out, he'll have a much easier time walking.  

There are some things you can try to help him try to walk.  They make special netting perches for budgies with splayed legs, but you can make this sort of thing yourself with a fine mesh netting suspended in corners of the cage.  Keep in mind, since he's young, he'd probably be wobbly on his feet even if they were normal!  Just keep an eye on the little guy!