Weight fluctuations (weight dropping)

I'm wondering if Kiwi is sick again or these weight fluctuations are normal?

He has seemed fine all week, good appetite, talking/making noises when the TV is on, climbing around in his cage, etc

Today he's been really quiet though which is what made me weigh him today. I thought maybe he was just upset that I slept in today (I work during the week so he's used to me feeding him earlier but I always leave him with some pellets overnight. It's still morning so too soon to really judge his behavior.


I got him when he was 7 months old (Feb 2013), I started weighing him in March and below is his weight log. He got sick in June and his weight dropped to 411 grams (it dropped very fast and he was visibly sick - not talking or moving around much, very grumpy.)

When he was sick (in addition to two medications), the vet had me feed him Harrison's formula twice a day for a week to help him put on some weight (in addition to feeding his regular food, though during that time I switched to pellets only for a bit because I wasn't sure what made him sick and thought maybe the chop-mix stayed out too long in his cage, etc)

Other than this morning where he seems a little off he's been acting and eating fine.

But his weight has dropped again, he was ~435 grams a few weeks ago and now he's down to 411


Is this a normal fluctuation you guys see, or does this look indicative that he might be sick again?

It looks like he was putting on weight until I re-introduced the chop-mix twice a day (after he got sick, I didn't give him any chopmix for a month or so, then I gave it to him only in the evening, but the last few weeks I've been giving chop-mix to him twice a day again, plus a small amount of pellets. He doesn't eat too much of the pellets, so I'd say his diet in the last few weeks is 85% chopmix, 15% pellets.

It looks like since I switched him back to mainly chopmix his weight has come down. He usually doesn't finish all his chopmix (usually leaves some leftover)

Here's his weight log, the reason I'm concerned is today he's 411 grams (on an empty stomach, I don't think I've ever weighed him in the morning before so that may be a consideration and I will weigh him again later). But 411 was his weight when he was sick in June, and it's less than he weighed at 8 months old (and he's 14 months old now)



03/11/2013. 417 (he was ~8 months old at this point)
03/22/2013. 434
04/02/2013 434
04/21/2013. 454
06/13/2013. 445
06/19/2013. 411, at vet -- sick (gram stain found Clostridium. Anaerobic bacteria, Budding yeast , hyphae.)
7/1/2013. 415
7/4/2013. 405
7/9/2013 418
7/16/2013. 422
7/22/2013. 422
08/02/2013. 435
08/14/2013. 436
08/29/2013. 420
09/07/2013. 411 <-- this morning, on an empty stomach (I don't usually weight him in the morning)




Thanks

(just wanted to add that I gave him some Colloidal Silver this morning and will do so twice a day for the next week or so, in case he is sick. Anyone have any feedback on Colloidal Silver?). I've also been sprinkling probiotics on his food for the last 2 weeks or so, and will continue to do so.

HI Nathalie,

Without any personal experience caring for an ekkie, i dont't know what the numbers should be. But the weight difference from a recent high of 436 ti 411 culd be explained by the difference if approx one ounce of food/water in him vs, not yet eating, full crop vs empty, etc. if he will let u, weigh him again after he eats a usual amount. If he won't eat his food, try a treat that u know he can't resist to see if he'll take it. Keep us posted on his behavior, activit level. Maybe he's just off schedule this Sat. Morn.

Colloidal silver has bern used more and more in products to inhibit bacteria growth, such as water filters, humidifiers, bandages, topical treatments...... I have not heard of it taking the place of antibiotcs if a sytemiic infection already exists. I see it popping up in consumables too now. U can call dr gwen...the used to be open on saturday and ask about the silver if u want.

Thanks for the reply

Actually I may be overreacting, I did just weight him now (after he had some of his breakfast) and he's 421 grams now. I tend to weight him later in the day usually so I think he may be fine.

He also seems back to his self now, so maybe he was just really mad that slept in today

I am not sure what all you put in your chop mix but it may be lower in calories than the pellets. Pellets are a pretty dense source of nutrition. That could be a factor too.

The chop is a mix of brown rice/veggie pasta/quinoi, beans, and different veggies (sweet potato, carrots, kale, beets, broccoli, bell peppers, celery, squash). So it's not totally veggie based, but I agree it's probably less fattening then pellets.

The pellets I use now are from prettyparrot.com. He's more interested in the chop mix though which I think is a good thing.

Any idea on average how much a Vosmaeri Eclectus should weigh at this age (14 months) and/or as an adult so I know what to aim for.

I don't give him too much fatty stuff like seeds/nuts. He gets them as a treat sometimes only.

Your chop mix sounds like what I feed my birds. I also give them sprouted (soaked overnight) seed mix I buy from sprout people. They really seem to enjoy that. I talked to that pretty parrot lady and she tried to advise me to buy those pellets as well. I use Harrison's in moderation but mostly fresh stuff. Sounds like you have your bird on a great diet. Eclectus are hearty eaters. I am not sure in weights for your subspecies but recently read not to put too much stock in the general weights given as there are many factors affecting weight including the birds size. I would just keep an eye on his weight and don't stress. If he seems healthy and happy, he probably is.

WannaBeAParrot said:

HI Nathalie,

Without any personal experience caring for an ekkie, i dont't know what the numbers should be. But the weight difference from a recent high of 436 ti 411 culd be explained by the difference if approx one ounce of food/water in him vs, not yet eating, full crop vs empty, etc. if he will let u, weigh him again after he eats a usual amount. If he won't eat his food, try a treat that u know he can't resist to see if he'll take it. Keep us posted on his behavior, activit level. Maybe he's just off schedule this Sat. Morn.

Colloidal silver has bern used more and more in products to inhibit bacteria growth, such as water filters, humidifiers, bandages, topical treatments...... I have not heard of it taking the place of antibiotcs if a sytemiic infection already exists. I see it popping up in consumables too now. U can call dr gwen...the used to be open on saturday and ask about the silver if u want.

Click to expand...

I've taken the silver when I get sick. There is no problem ingesting it as a human, but for a bird I do not know. I wouldn't think it would hurt him. But I'm no expert.

Robinrae said:

Your chop mix sounds like what I feed my birds. I also give them sprouted (soaked overnight) seed mix I buy from sprout people. They really seem to enjoy that.

Click to expand...

Robinrae,
I've been thinking about sprouting too but I'm hesitant (I don't have a green thumb at all, and it seems you have to be really careful about mold, etc). But this would be a healthy addition to his meals and probably help him put on some weight.

Do you only soak these only overnight? That sounds easier then full-blown sprouting over several days... sproutpeople.org has a lot of selection.. if you don't mind my asking, which do get? I assume one of the 'Bean' selections. Looks like they have a variety mix too.

What do you sprout them in?


Thanks

I only soak the sprouts over night as my birds enjoy it more that way. From what I have read that is the time of optimal nutrition as well. The mixes I buy are under the pet section and I get the Dr Bird mix and the large bird mix. I also add a little of the maddison market mix (I think that's the name). It had shelled sunflower seed, almonds, and some peanuts- I think it's under the seed sectionu. I just rinse them in the sprouter around dinner time, add water, rinse before bed, and in the morning before feeding. Pretty easy! I usually do enough for 2 days and store in the fridge. Just remember to rinse vigorously each time to keep germs at bay. Oh, I soak all night I left that out. I bought their sprouter for about $13. They recommend it for beginners.
Hope your guy does well. It's so hard with birds because they are experts at disguise. But sounds like u are doing the right things.
I would talk to the vet about the colloidal silver, I would worry about metal toxicity. Although I have heard if people giving it to birds before.

Is important to weight at the same time otherwise to will get a variety of weights. My CAG can have a 15 gram difference easily throughout the day depending on when he had eaten

@Robinrae - Thanks! That sounds easy enough

@Triordan - makes sense, and normally I weight him late in the day and not the morning.


Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Best time of weight is in the morning before he eats but after he poops. That's when you get the true-est weight possible.


You can use ACV or Citric Acid in the soaking water to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. I *do not* recommend using GSE.


Many seeds may be fine with an over-night soak, but other seeds do require being sprouted over 2-6 days - which typically includes beans and legumes. Those do best with 1/4" tails before feeding.



This is a neat sprouting chart, meant for humans.

http://www.heathersaba.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/soak-n-sprout.jpg