How to Feed a Blind Umbrella

We have just adopted a blind, 50 year old, abused Umbrella. I spoon feed her a little each morning, and put fruits, nuts, and vegies all over the place for her. She has many stands around the house, plus a huge cage, with water and different foods in them. She is still getting used to her surroundings, but her crop always seems empty, after the morning feeding. We hand feed her banana, orange, etc., etc., but is there a way I do not know of, to interest her in eating while she is in her cage? i.e., smelly foods, to attrak her, etc. Today I just though of putting her on the dog bed, (our dog just loves her), and she ate quite a bit there, just picking up everything she dropped, on the soft bed, it was wonderful. But any more inventive advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Thank you a million times for this adoption. Not many people would adopt this bird. I would get her vet checked by an avain speciallist first and they can give you some good pointers on nutrition. There is nothing wrong with spoon feeding her as an addition to her feeding herself.

http://www.parrothouse.com/pamelaclark/secondhand.html

We went to an avian veterinarian, and I did just get another hint from there. My husband and I took one of our food trays with handles on it, and we attached it to the cage. I lined it with indoor outdoor carpet, and put a variety of food all over it. She can latch onto the one inch rim of the tray, and eat away. She is not used to it yet, and I have to sit her in the tray or on the side, but she will get it. Just to let you know, she is just adorable... It was told to us, that the previous owner would cup her in the head everytime she tried to talk, so how she expresses herself, is by dance. But she also tap dances, it is beautiful. We are talking to her all the time, and when she is on us (which is usually always), she is starting to be vocal, and she also has a faint sy (?) of which I answer to, and we talk like that for hours. I love her. Thanks for the message, it is nice to meet you.

If this weren't a bird forum your title would worry me lol

Thankyou a million times for taking in this bird sure you will be given so much back from her as a thankyou

The idea I have would be to put her In her cage or small area you can easily clean
put some seed or pellets or such like ( very small ) onto a drop or two of honey or other such sticky substance ( so long as it's bird safe ) and put it on the underside of her foot
hopefully the sensation of having something stuck to her foot she would try clean it off and discover it to
actually be food

I suggest weighing her 1x week and keeping track of it
if she looses weight. Even 5% talk to your vet about teaching you to crop feed
similar to soon feeding but it goes right down into the birds crop so they can not refuse the food ( although being bitten is very likely thr 1st few times )

This should be a last means only and I would also ask you to consider quality over quantity when it comes to this stage

Thank you so much, I did not know about honey, I will try it today. She loves her new tray, and has been eating non stop She also loves to eat banana, so now I am hanging it near one of her food bowls. I tried to post a few pictures, but it did not work I will steam some vegies for her today, and put them in a bowl on one of her stands. This forum is giving me more confidence and support. Thank you everyone.

That's what were here for
I personaly have learnt so much more than I'd ever imagine from this forum
it's awesome

What a great adoption and a wonderful opportunity for this too. and for you as well as you are obviously willing and able to adjust to this bird's needs. Thank you for your efforts for this bird.

I just wanted to know if it is okay to lubricate Vanilla's beak with vegetable oil, and her old dry feet too. They seem so dry and cracked. Her feathers are starting to grow now, but not anywhere on her legs. She loves to sleep in a perch near our fire place at night, and is loving her oatmeal in the morning. Thanks,

I have to agree with everyone else here and give you props for adopting her. Sounds like you're well on your way to giving her a happy, healthy home.

No, do not use vegetable oil. It is best to use a water/aloe liquid mix. Also adding red palm oil to Vanilla's diet is very beneficial. You can add 1/2 teaspoon to her oatmeal. I have a friend with a blind ekkie that does just wonderful. Vanilla is very lucky to have found you!

Oh thank you very much, I will buy that on Monday for sure. I have to tell you, today, reading with my daughter on the bed, Vanilla took her homework and started shredding it. We both laughed, stopped everything and starting taking pictures. We just love her. Now it's not my dog ate my homework, it's the bird? Anyway, thank you for your help.

Thank you for adopting Vanilla and giving her a second chance. My keet S'mores is blind in one of her eyes and might end up going blind in the other. Since she doesn't do as bad as Vanilla, she still struggles. One thing I do is keep her cage layout the same. Nothing changes otherwise she'll get confused. The only thing I change are the toys and they go in the same spot where the old ones were. Her foodand water is always in the same spot so she knows where it is. And occasionally, I hand-feed her with a syringe with different things. I'm just being prepared in case she goes completely blind. Hope that helps.

I had a very old blind galah, he only passed away recently. His food cage was very small with enough room for him to stretch out his wings. I kept his food & water dishes in the same place so as not to confuse him. His seed & water dish were kept beside the perch, fruit & veg bowl was on the floor of the cage just inside the door. The cage was not tall either so if he fell would not hurt himself.

I think the main thing is not to confuse your bird & keep him to a routine, that way he won't get stressed out at all. With the Galah i had because his food was always kept in the same place he would hear me coming & would be waiting by the door for his fruit & Veg dish. I am not sure if he could smell or what.

I would have loved to get him a new bigger cage but decided not to because he knew his way around the one he already had.

Please give Vanilla a big scratch for me and Rosie. You warm our hearts with your words.

This is cool that you are doing this. We had a sick parakeet for a year and you had to be very careful about how you set up the cage and always watch to be sure Sky could get around ok when we put in something new for Merry. Too bad your bird doesn't have a bird friend in the cage cause Merry really helped Sky lots.
Kat

Your willingness to give Vanilla a chance is heartwarming. It's stories like these that renew my (often) lost faith in the world. Thank you for being a wonderful, giving person and helping her to know the world is a kind and caring place. Lots of good Karma for your family.