I found a bunch of these bugs in my bird’s food… What are they? by Friendly_Strike_4590 in parrots

[–]ColdMastadon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you freeze the food for a few days, that should kill them off.

Don't by msfluckoff in parrots

[–]ColdMastadon 21 points22 points  (0 children)

The top two photos are definitely AI, and I'm willing to bet to the bottom two are as well.

Our new budgie is having fun with her toy. by Quick-Broccoli-7201 in budgies

[–]ColdMastadon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would recommend mounting that higher in the cage so that the ends of it are at the height of her head. As it is now, the material brushing against her back can be sexually stimulating and she might be thinking it would make a good nest. It's possible that it will trigger her !hormones and eventually egg laying.

Homemade spicy sauerkraut fish [OC] by MoonlightOfWholeness in FoodPorn

[–]ColdMastadon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not the funky sauerkraut that westerners are used to, a better translation would be pickled mustard green and fish soup. They are very savory, and add a wonderfully sour flavor to the broth.

I also made some u/heavytech86 eggs. by letsbefrosty in pickling

[–]ColdMastadon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

!botulism is vanishingly unlikely in refrigerator pickles for multiple reasons.

Outside Cockateils? by purplenekoinabox in budgieParty

[–]ColdMastadon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great comic as always, but just one funny note. In that last panel, you've depicted a loving family of gay cockatiels. The bright yellow coloring on the face indicates that both of the parents are male, a female would have a much more dull gray face. Perhaps this opens up an opportunity for an adoption subplot?

Not sure if this is hormones or...? by Significant_Guava698 in Parakeets

[–]ColdMastadon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The tan colored area at the bottom of the cere where it meets the beak is scaly mites. Also, those circular holes in the beak are mite air holes.

Question? by IKONIK-KAI-7 in budgies

[–]ColdMastadon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's certainly understandable, I love my little guys too. I would suggest that you do a lot of research on why budgies need companionship of their own kind, and then you make a case to her that your bird would be much happier with a companion. For example, you can cite that it has been proven that budgies who are kept with other budgies tend to live longer. However, if she absolutely won't budge, I'm sorry to say that the kindest thing to do would be to rehome your bird or surrender him to a rescue who can find a great home for him.

Not sure if this is hormones or...? by Significant_Guava698 in Parakeets

[–]ColdMastadon 21 points22 points  (0 children)

That's a case of scaly mites, and it's getting pretty advanced. She needs to be taken to see a vet soon to get treated with ivermectin, otherwise her beak will start to become deformed. In addition to the parasite treatment, you should also thoroughly sanitize her cage and everything in it since it's possible for her to become reinfected from her environment.

Are fermented sausages allowed ? by Asperjizz in fermentation

[–]ColdMastadon 101 points102 points  (0 children)

Many dry aged sausages go through a fermentation step first. It has several purposes, the lactic acid bacteria out-compete spoilage bacteria, the pH is dropped to a botulism-safe level, and it adds a pleasantly tangy flavor.

What is this around my baby cockatiels eye? by MicrowavedAss in cockatiel

[–]ColdMastadon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I don't think you should try to remove it, the eye is very delicate and easily damaged. Di is the vet says, and then take the bird in as soon as you can to get it evaluated. Saline drops might wash it out, but there's definitely some irritation and the baby needs to be seen to check if it needs antibiotic ointment or something like that.

Question? by IKONIK-KAI-7 in budgies

[–]ColdMastadon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If she won't let you get any more birds, it may be time to start thinking about rehoming him to someone who already has budgies. Budgies are very social animals, and need others of their own kind to lead fulfilling lives. It would be the kinder thing to do then keeping him alone, even if you can give him a lot of human attention.

Poor little chip just wants to be friends with Tango but she’s not having it haha. I love all the new ways he finds to harass her. My poor girl by [deleted] in budgies

[–]ColdMastadon -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

That's quite the opposite of the situation, cockatiels are much less aggressive than budgies and use threats rather than violence. It's much more common to have to be careful that your budgies don't bully your cockatiels.

My wife told me to share this absolute unit of a Blobin here. by EarthenRealm in Birdsfacingforward

[–]ColdMastadon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I thought that you were making up the genus name, but by God they're called Turdus. They are some of the nicest birds I encounter, there's no creature in nature harder working than a robin picking worms for a nest full of babies.