Is Nutri-Cal safe for parrots?

Hello is nitro-cal or any of those types of supplements good for parrots (I have a CAG). I know years ago someone recommended it to me and I've used it for all types of pets back then. Now some of the companies make different ones for dogs, puppies, cats & ferrets are some of the ones I've seen. The reason I'm asking is my CAG is a little under weight, she's about 28 years old. We've had her 2 months. Some days she eats a lot and other days she's picky. She's gained a little weight in the 2 months we've had her but it's very slow (maybe 10-15 grams maybe). She's on the smallish side and was at 420 grams last time we weighed her. The vet says she's about 10-15% underweight. I forgot to ask him about nutri-cal but figured I'd ask here and check with him when they open again. What else has anyone else used to help to put on weight and maybe more energy?
PS she also plucks some and has been since before we got her. Not a lot but about the size of a quarter.

I would definitely check with an avian vet before giving nutra cal or any supplement. I would be worried about the concentrated iron and vitamins, it would be a lot for a parrots system. I think I would try vegetable smoothies, cooked sweet potato, rice, whole grain pasta, birdie bread, quinoa, sprouts, cooked beans and tree nuts. It may take longer for your CAG to gain weight but will be healthier in the long run.

It's normal for birds to lose a few grams after a move, over preening is not out of the ordinary either. Two months to adjust is not always long enough, especially for older re-homed birds.

I feed Roudybush pellets to my birds, so this is just my personal recommendation. For birds prone to hypocalcemia (greys, especially since she's a plucker right now) they say 2/3 maintenance, 1/3 high energy breeder, which would give some extra vitamin d3 as well, and some extra calories to her diet. Just giving this as a guildline per their recommendations.

Roudybush Direct

Increasing the amount of healthy grains, like quinoa and millet, and giving her some in shell nuts for entertainment and calories can help too. Just be careful not to over feed, but you're basically wanting to increase the calorie content of her food by the percentage she's underweight, which isn't a lot at all, especially if she's active. Weigh her at the same time every day. As long as she doesn't continue to drop weight, or her poops become irregular, she'll be perfectly fine.

Allee said:

I would definitely check with an avian vet before giving nutra cal or any supplement. I would be worried about the concentrated iron and vitamins, it would be a lot for a parrots system. I think I would try vegetable smoothies, cooked sweet potato, rice, whole grain pasta, birdie bread, quinoa, sprouts, cooked beans and tree nuts. It may take longer for your CAG to gain weight but will be healthier in the long run.

It's normal for birds to lose a few grams after a move, over preening is not out of the ordinary either. Two months to adjust is not always long enough, especially for older re-homed birds.

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Thank you. I've tried most of these. She's a picky eater. One day she will love one thing and a couple days later she won't. She has never really liked sweet potatoes though. We eat them 1-2 times a week and I try every time we have them (even last night). She doesn't really like beans either, she will eat one maybe 2 sometimes but not many. She does like rice and will eat anywhere from a few grains up to maybe 20 at a time and she does like pasta sometimes but not too often (maybe 1-2 days a week she will try it). As far as nuts I've tried all types and at first she'd only eat peanuts and usually wanted me to take the shells off. I tried her with sunflower seeds last week and she eats those most of the time I give them to her but I know it's not good to give her too many of those or just those so I try to limit them. I'll have to try the bird sprouts, I've tried quite a few different sprouts made for people from the farmers market and she doesn't like those though. She seems a little less active than parrots I've had before and thought maybe it'd bring her energy level up also.

Aquila said:

I feed Roudybush pellets to my birds, so this is just my personal recommendation. For birds prone to hypocalcemia (greys, especially since she's a plucker right now) they say 2/3 maintenance, 1/3 high energy breeder, which would give some extra vitamin d3 as well, and some extra calories to her diet. Just giving this as a guildline per their recommendations.

Roudybush Direct

Increasing the amount of healthy grains, like quinoa and millet, and giving her some in shell nuts for entertainment and calories can help too. Just be careful not to over feed, but you're basically wanting to increase the calorie content of her food by the percentage she's underweight, which isn't a lot at all, especially if she's active. Weigh her at the same time every day. As long as she doesn't continue to drop weight, or her poops become irregular, she'll be perfectly fine.

Click to expand...

Thank you. She's currently on a 3 way mixture of Harrison's, Zupreem and a premium seed mixture. I don't think she's tried that brand before. I know I've seen it but I don't remember where so I'll have to look for it and do some checking about it. I've heard mixed reviews in Harrison's but it's what she was on when I got her. I started the 3 way mixture to give her some variety. I also sprinkle a calcium and spirulina mixture on the food that a breeder friend suggested.
I left a message for the vet she has seen since he's on vacation for another week if we have to I'll wait until he gets back. I need to get my scale out of storage since we've been weighing her at the vet but she doesn't like it there and we don't have any other visits planned.