http://www.parrots.org/index.php en avnvet@aol.com Copyright 2013 2013-04-17T03:29:17+00:00 http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/twitching_in_a_grey_parrot/ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/twitching_in_a_grey_parrot/#When:03:29:17Z I have a question about my Congo African Grey Charlie. I re-homed Charlie as his owner didn't have the time to commit to him. He came to me as a nervous bird with Feather plucking issues. I worked hard over several months to vary his diet, introducing grains and pulses and fresh veg. Providing lots of foraging opportunities and eventually the feather plucking resolved and Charlie became a friendly outgoing bird. Then one day I noticed him having difficulty going to the toilet. He kept throwing his foot back to scratch his vent it seemed. I inspected him and noticed a small injury around his vent so I took him to the avian vet. The vet explained that he had either bitten or scratched the skin round part of his vent. We decided I would wash with salt water and apply homeopathic healing balm and see if that helped. It has helped and is healing well and he has stopped throwing his leg back and scratching. However he seems to have developed a 'twitch' almost which causes him to stick his leg out straight in front of him and sort of wave. This is accompanied by a tail wag from side to side rapidly and a quick flick of his wings. He has never done this until his injury and it only happens when he is still on his perch. If he is active and foraging there seems to be no 'twitch'. I am concerned as to what this might be as his vent is healing well, almost completely and he is going to the toilet as normal. Any light shed on this would be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks, Daniel Health and Nutrition 2013-04-17T03:29:17+00:00 http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/replacing_biting/ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/replacing_biting/#When:16:39:43Z Hi there, I have a parrotlet called Fynn and I've had him about a year now from when he was a chick (parent-reared, if that helps). I know parrotlets are sometimes territorial and the main thing to do is to teach them to step up. This does not work with him. He bites hard and lunges if I come close to his cage, and I always get bitten getting him out. He won't step up onto a twig either. But when he's in a different room he's a different bird- he loves kisses and stays with me (despite not being clipped- I understand this makes him harder to train as well but he's beautiful when he flies). This problem has got worse now I have moved to Uni with him, and his cage is in my bedroom. Now he won't have anything to do with me and I can't really take him into a different room. Please could you let me know if there are any ways of getting him to be less aggressive about his cage? >Thanks so much Behaviour and Training 2013-03-30T16:39:43+00:00 http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/excessive_thirst_and_urine_production_in_a_grey_parrot/ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/excessive_thirst_and_urine_production_in_a_grey_parrot/#When:22:44:50Z A friend of mine has a Congo African Grey who is exhibiting symptoms of excessive thirst and excessive urinating. The vet investigating this is currently running labwork on the bird to check for things like diabetes, etc. So far, the vet has not come up with anything definitive but suggests that the dyes in pellets such as Pretty Bird could cause these symptoms. Have you ever heard anything like this before? Thanks for your time. Health and Nutrition 2013-03-25T22:44:50+00:00 http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/grey_wont_eat_after_beak_trim/ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/grey_wont_eat_after_beak_trim/#When:14:39:40Z I have a Timneh African Grey who is almost 9 years old. I got him at 3 months and weaned him and he has always been a sweet, non-aggressive animal. After any stressful experience, for example, the last visit to the avian vet 3 months ago for a beak, wing, and nail trim, he stops eating the Harrison's pellets that he has always loved and drops weight to the point where he loses 15 or more grams. At that point I hand feed him Harrison's juvenile formula with a syringe and he eats just fine. He doesn't want to eat any brand of pellet or prepared bird food, including Nutriberries. He will eat a bite or two of carrots and broccoli but is still thin. My vet wanted him to gain weight when she saw him 3 months ago and he weighed 296 grams. I just hate to see him refuse to eat so I have been giving in and hand feeding him. Last night before I hand fed him he weighed 291 grams. I know he is able to eat because I've seen him eat one or two Harrison's Coarse Pellets. The vet doesn't think he is sick but I have an appointment with her again in 3 weeks. I believe I have tried everything, from soaking his food in organic apple juice, cooking pasta, eggs, beans, etc., and the stress is getting to ME! I just wonder if a parrot will actually starve himself to death if he has a variety of foods available yet prefers formula? I've been too afraid to take that chance. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me! Linda Health and Nutrition 2013-03-20T14:39:40+00:00 http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/selecting_safe_browse_for_macaws/ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/selecting_safe_browse_for_macaws/#When:14:41:42Z I live in Northern Virginia with 2 macaws, I'd like to know what type of wood from trees in my yard etc I can give to my birds. Can I just bring them in from outside or do I have to do something to make them safe? I have multiple trees (pines, oak, poplar) in my yard and 2 parrots that would LOVE to snack on the wood. Thanks, BJ Parrot Care 2013-03-18T14:41:42+00:00 http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/encouraging_nutrition_in_picky_parrot/ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/encouraging_nutrition_in_picky_parrot/#When:00:16:01Z I adopted a 16 year old Cameroon African Grey on September 26th, 2012 and I would like to learn how to encourage him to eat something other than seeds. He won't eat pellets, cooked grains or vegetables, all fruit except grapes & he even refuses to eat AviCakes or Healthy Bits - a picky eater? Donna Health and Nutrition 2013-02-13T00:16:01+00:00 http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/interacting_with_breeding_companion_birds/ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/interacting_with_breeding_companion_birds/#When:22:42:02Z Is it unreasonable to try to breed "pet" parrots or tame and interact with a breeding pair. I have pairs of macaws, cockatoos, conures and caiques. I would like to have nice friendly birds that give me an occasional baby. Breeders say you can't have it both ways. Am I wasting my time? Thanks. John A. Ethics and Welfare 2013-02-06T22:42:02+00:00 http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/boarding/ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/boarding/#When:16:00:14Z My Question: I would be asking my Avian Vet; however, she died in a tragic car accident last month! I am at a loss of ideas on what to do and who to call. I have a 3 year old cockatiel and a ~2.5 year old White Bellied Caique. I board them fairly often when I have to go on trips. I was wondering if it would be necessary to worry about vaccination for certain things. The only reason I worry is because the boarding is at a pet store. Its a reputable store and they have a good staff and I've never had any bad experiences from there but they don't require any health certificates before accepting boarders. The boarders are kept in a separate area from their store stock birds for sale. They are kept in a multi-compartment battery of cages in a room in the back. They appear to keep them all clean but they are kept in close proximity to other birds. My birds always come back happy and temporarily make different sounds from the other birds. Do you think this arrangement would warrant vaccination against some of the more common avian ailments?/ viruses? Thanks, Jelly Health and Nutrition 2012-12-31T16:00:14+00:00 http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/foot_problems_in_a_goliath_palm_cockatoo/ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/foot_problems_in_a_goliath_palm_cockatoo/#When:22:59:55Z I have a 6year old male Goliath Palm Cockatoo living in a half acre 12m high aviary along with three Hyacinths and a pair of Illigers. At night they are locked in large secure bird rooms. Tristan , my Goliath , has an ongoing problem with one of his feet . It is cracked between two of his pads and despite treatment that includes Baytril and a daily VIT. E cream application , it does not clear up. It looks like what a humans cracked heel would look like. We are close to the coast in South Africa so I dont think it is too dry here and it is odd that it only affects one foot. On the same foot on the one side is a white patch of what looks like very dry skin. If Tristan walks on a flat surface he is likely to walk on a foot made into a fist , while on a branch or perch he will sit normally. After flying and coming in to land he will hold that foot up out of the way on "touch down" This has been going on for around seven months.He has had scrapings done which come up clear and my local vet has consulted with my avian vet in Johannesburg and Onderstepoort Exotic clinic in Pretoria without any light being shed. His food consists of daily fresh fruit and veg which he ignores , always available Kaytee rainbow chunky and hemp seed which he eats occasionally and a copious amount of nuts comprising of cracked Palm nuts , cracked macadamia nuts , hazel , pecan , walnut , almonds and brasil nuts . All nuts are checked and Tristan eats them all. At night he gets a soft hot food mix of Macadamia oil , health checked peanut butter , Purity (baby food) carrots , Purity sweet potato and corn , Purity mango and banana , Kaytee organic , Kaytee macaw hand rearing , mashed banana , sunflower seed and coconut flakes. This is mixed together with hot water and fed straight away and is normally completely eaten. All his food is the same as for the Hyacinths who do not have any foot problems. I have been unable to find anyone around the world who is well versed in Palm Cockatoo's to see if anything similar has happened. I look forward to any advice you can offer. Health and Nutrition 2012-11-02T22:59:55+00:00 http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/Protecting_the_apple_cart_or_helping_a_parrot_in_need/ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/forumsandexperts/answers/Protecting_the_apple_cart_or_helping_a_parrot_in_need/#When:23:05:23Z I've been agonising over a decision to adopt a CAG from the RSPCA my husband and I drove over two hours to see him, he is a 6 year old stray affectionate with great pet potential. My concern is how he will get along with my own 6 yr old Galah who has a high level of human interaction. My Galah is very independent and not overly bonded to either of us although is still a sweet playful loving bird. I have seen a few posts on this sort of issue and feel confused as to what would be best for both parties involved. I don't want to upset the apple cart. I would love to help a bird in need though. Nicole General 2012-10-31T23:05:23+00:00