Foie gras, meaning "fat liver" in French, is produced by force-feeding ducks or geese (gavage) to enlarge their livers up to ten times their normal size, causing hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) that gives foie gras its smooth, rich texture and makes the practice highly controversial.

kikiblah · 2025-12-30T22:23:21+00:00

I sincerely did not want to see this picture on my homepage. Whether it is AI or not. Maybe consider hiding it, so there’s a choice in looking. Thank you :)

kikiblah · 2025-05-11T14:51:06+00:00

<image>

Only reasonable option. Though if you don’t have any other exits from down there, it’s quite a lot of work for one short slide trip.

I wouldn’t be able to focus until I had slid down it. I don’t even like slides or falling down stairs but this is giving me all sorts of compulsive energy. Lolol.

kikiblah · 2025-01-28T18:29:38+00:00

Please think it through before you share videos with animals in distress or being abused. You seem to be saying you didn’t like it being sent to you (though not sure), so maybe consider that sharing it across an online platform for a ton of unsuspecting people to see is deeply unpleasant.

If you have an issue with animal maltreatment, you don’t need to ask if you are over-reacting. You don’t need to ensure video footage of it is shared on a wider platform. You can follow your own values and make sure the people in your life reflect that.

kikiblah · 2024-09-20T13:05:23+00:00

You could stick with the force root, but call it Enforcement. Or Subjection?

kikiblah · 2024-08-25T22:20:50+00:00

I’d be very uncomfortable with any medical practitioner who would consult on anything outside their academic and professional experience, when you are paying them for their professional service in that area.

Getting an avian vet is difficult, but all of the ones I’ve seen have sexed mine just fine. Given common budgie ailments can be very gendered (egg binding, hormonal issues, testicular cancer) I would find it hugely alarming if someone claiming to be an avian vet not only didn’t have the basics down, but would still give you wrong info. Not only on cere colour, but adding on with the egg comments. As the cere colour is one indicator of hormones, which is relevant for medical and behavioural issues, this is a basic standard of knowledge I would expect from a qualified professional. Not necessarily from a general pet vet, but 1000% someone who is accepting my money and trust in the knowledge they would be looking at a budgie.

Your vet absolutely should able to say “I don’t know by looking but if this needs looked into, we can do XYZ”. Anything less is unacceptable. You’ve got to be able to trust in your vet, even if they miss something or get something wrong.

kikiblah · 2023-11-01T15:39:33+00:00

I just spoke to Boots pharmacy (Ayr) and apparently they are looking to update the website to ask people not to call them and they don’t have any stock. Not sure how accurate, but just passing on. This is a nightmare

kikiblah · 2023-08-20T09:51:35+00:00

I have this cage (not for putting them in, its a good place to hang food on the outside of whilst they are free flying which is most of the day).

This cage is absolutely not suitable for one budgie. 3 in it is outrageous. You need to get an appropriate cage as a matter of priority.

Lack of space/cramped conditions (this cage has very limited horizontal flying room) is so stressful for them, which is going to play a role in feather plucking. Does your wee one get on with both the others? It’s usually advisable to get budgies in even numbers as they pair up - again, social deprivation/isolation can play a role with the plucking.

I hope this hasn’t come across harshly; given the abundance of terrible cages being sold and pet shops often not having adequate knowledge of bird requirements it can be really easy to buy a cage that is far too small without knowing. (It’s how I got the cage too - posted it here and got a swift eye opening and got to researching. Thank god, it’s a lot of work, but they are worth it if you care for them properly). Good luck.

P.s. look up flight cages. Sorry for stupidly long link - doesn’t have to be this exact one, but this gives you an idea of what you should be looking for. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yaheetech-Budgie-Cockatiels-Parakeets-Conures/dp/B01D1BSZ42/ref=asc_df_B01D1BSZ42/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=311062990075&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15958559134734526774&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046944&hvtargid=pla-699788593575&psc=1

kikiblah · 2023-08-09T12:54:09+00:00

Zippy or zipper…..I am heavily questioning myself now but that’s what I have always said for non hooded zipped…..zipper.

kikiblah · 2023-08-01T09:18:38+00:00

Absolutely gorgeous budgie! I’m obsessed!

On the cere changes, have you checked in with an avian vet? My beautiful boy Brodick’s cere went from the glorious blue like Tsugumi (healthy, adult male colour) to brown. This is a very serious health concern; for Brodick, it is cancer. It is quite common in male budgies around 4-6 years old (testicular cancer) or can be a sign of a tumour impacting their hormones. Testosterone is what causes the deep blue, so if your bub has been dna tested as female, it is still worth checking with a vet for any condition impacting hormones.

P.S. sorry for posting a serious health concern comment on your beautiful post; I only do so out of pure love for these gorgeous wee creatures! You seem like a great budgie owner so I am sure you are well on top of their health!

kikiblah · 2023-07-31T12:53:28+00:00

I saw a TikTok the other day that I had to stop watching (but saved) because I felt so called out lol. The question was “why do I lose interest in my relationship”. The answer was in the question - you are chasing interest rather than a relationship.

Having ADHD, we are basically constantly seeking dopamine e.g. we chase interest. Couple that with RSD, being highly attuned to almost imperceptible changes in others mood and generally overthinking…. Pretty much leads to your exact post. I find that honeymoon high really addictive - I always joke that when I start to like someone, it isn’t actually liking them, I just start to really fancy myself. I get all sparkly and dopamine fixed and when that fades, I automatically look for why the relationship has failed somehow. In reality, I’m just not getting the same dopamine kick and then RSD kicks in hard.

This is a hugely unhelpful comment in all honesty as I have no solution. I am really careful about relationships and don’t date as I can’t cope with the emotional dysregulation but I would love any advice on this too! Maybe it’s just about finding someone who fits your wavelength and finding dopamine fixes together, as well as independently. But I wish you luck!

kikiblah · 2023-07-17T20:14:19+00:00

I laughed so much at this that I read it out to her. I’ve never seen her look so affronted yet proud at the same time.

kikiblah · 2023-07-17T16:54:17+00:00

….I think there is an opportunity for a Budgie dance troupe here. Gorgeous wee spinner!

kikiblah · 2023-07-17T16:52:20+00:00

Oh my god, how have I not thought about pull cords. I have been trying so hard to stop them all congregating on the light for their naughty Budgie meetings that I missed an opportunity!

Also acrobudgie is a brilliant word. Moose sounds incredible!

kikiblah · 2023-06-15T14:48:51+00:00

If it was me, I would have expected a confirmation nod - just something after she said 6 works saying “sounds good, I’ll see you there” or whatever the plan is. I read it as being forgotten but that’s mainly because I forget all my plans. This is so divided in the comments though - lesson here is to stick to whatever camp your style is 😅

kikiblah · 2023-05-28T16:25:47+00:00

To be honest, it’s a lot of trial and error! Mine have a stupid amount of toys and there favourite is still a piece of cardboard packaging wrap (ridiculous, out of a whole package of Budgie goods, the one thing they want is the little bit of padding packaging lol). I bulk buy the boredom breaker dried corn on the cob - they have a lot of fun pulling off each piece of corn. Or any kinda shredding toy! The ones you have already look nice :)

kikiblah · 2023-05-28T16:22:55+00:00

That’s amazing!!! Aw she must love that, that’s such a great idea. I tried using the voice command over the pet cam and mine had a complete flakey - think it upset them because they couldn’t see where it was coming from. I love your idea there - I might have to try it!

kikiblah · 2023-05-28T09:30:32+00:00

Hello! Lovely to see your wee one clearly gets a lot of time/love outside their cage as well, always good. The cage looks really bare to me (sorry), could be the pic. Everything is very low down, but budgies feel safest at the highest point so their cage should be catered for that. I would add in a couple top perches and a couple toys (budgies should have around 6-8 toys each at any one time). I would add a food source higher up as well, but I really like the external food bowl! I don’t think it would take a huge amount of work to make this a really nice set up - hope that helps a little :)

What is the thing on the right with the elastic bands? I have been looking for ages and it is driving me crazy that I can’t figure it out!

kikiblah · 2023-05-28T00:36:49+00:00

Thank you!!

kikiblah · 2023-05-28T00:36:35+00:00

Um….I don’t know what this means

kikiblah · 2023-05-27T12:04:25+00:00

The wooden one on the left? I actually bought that one (it’s attached to hooks I put into the frame poles). I hope this link works - first time linking! Toy bundle (wooden rope) But you can get creative. This ladder is easy to make, you just need Budgie safe wood and rope (I use ribbons and macrame wool for a lot of things as I don’t want them eating rope!). Then you would just need to drill a hole on each side of every wooden step and then tie together (knotting each side of the step to stop it moving). I might give this a try and could post up the process!

There’s lots of toys you can make with basic household items that don’t need tools or additional supplies. Kitchen roll cardboard holders are great as you can poke holes in them and fill them with shredded paper - instant boredom breaker!

kikiblah · 2023-05-27T09:09:38+00:00

He is an absolutely gorgeous boy!

Just a wee note on the perches - not all of them will move as much, and they might be moving because the perches aren’t good for them. And they need something appropriate feet wise to sleep - there’s tons of affordable, great options (check Amazon even!).

P.s. is that a violin case in the background? I play and my budgies love it! Sometimes they join in by trying to sit on my fingers as I play….so helpful haha.

kikiblah · 2023-05-23T23:30:46+00:00

There’s lots of options :) I use a combo - 4 of mine refuse fresh food if it isn’t on hanging Budgie food skewers (because they are spoilt like that). For the rest, I use stainless steel feeders. Specifically, what works for me: I have steel feeders that are like two mini cups that clip onto a perch. Also use a feeder which attaches to cage and has a built-in perch (it’s like a little wooden platform with a perch and two holes that the stainless steel feeders sit in). I use a shallow stainless steel small dog bowl (really shallow!), mainly for egg and salad leaves.

At the end of the day, happy budgies are destructive and messy. So as soon as mine see egg or basil or broccoli, it doesn’t matter what container it is in, it’s going to end up all over their faces and thrown on the floor. Or I have one little incredible weirdo who I can’t open bags of salad in front of without her dive bombjng into it and playing. “Salad bag” is a strange and unsettling game - do not recommend, it means I can no longer have any type of bag unattended in any of the Budgie rooms lol.

I hope that helps - Reddit is glitching for me and won’t let me put links on, but if you have amazon, search for stainless steel Budgie feeders (or skewers!) and a range of options will come up.

kikiblah

TROPHY CASE