Not putting on weight.

Peppagirl · Dec 29, 2015

Hi all,

I'm freaking out a bit, Peppa is a Solomon Island Eclectus just to start off with. I weighed her as the guy I bought her off said she looks a little small for her age which is 11 months old. She only weighs 300 grams. He suggested I worm her, which I did but no difference. She eats all the fruit and veg imaginable. I'm home with her so I'm constantly making sure she always has food available. I feed her fruit in the mornings, she has fresh carrot and corn on the cob available through the day and at night around 5.00 she has her veg chop with brown rice. She starts to eat like she loves it but then after about 10 minutes she climbs back on top of her cage to play or chat and doesn't want to eat anymore. I seem to be throwing out more food that what she eats.

Please help - what can I do? And she has also lost her tail feathers.

JerseyWendy · Dec 29, 2015

Even though 300g is on the small side for a SI, I wouldn't panic just yet.

Is her keel bone visible and/or sharp? Can you show us some photos of your girl?

Please don't administer any medications, including de-wormers, unless prescribed by an Avian Vet.

Has she lost any other feathers besides her tail feathers? Could she be going through a molt?

Peppagirl · Dec 29, 2015

JerseyWendy said:
Even though 300g is on the small side for a SI, I wouldn't panic just yet. Is her keel bone visible and/or sharp? Can you show us some photos of your girl?

Please don't administer any medications, including de-wormers, unless prescribed by an Avian Vet.

Has she lost any other feathers besides her tail feathers? Could she be going through a molt?

Thanks for replying to me, her keel bone isn't visible nor can I feel it, she hasn't lost any other feathers either. It looks like what's left of her tail feather is frayed. I shower her every second day, I watch her preen herself and it looks normal to me. I've tried to get her put more weight on. She was 315 the other day but today back down to 300. She seems very happy and active and follows me around everywhere. I'll post a pic for you, if I can find a decent one. She is bed now as its 11.45pm here.

JerseyWendy · Dec 29, 2015

I just found a GREAT photo of your pretty girl!

Think of it this way: People come in all shapes and sizes, and so do birds - even within the same subspecies.

Peppagirl · Dec 29, 2015

This was taken earlier tonight. You can see she has no tail feathers.

Peppagirl · Dec 29, 2015

JerseyWendy said:
I just found a GREAT photo of your pretty girl!

Think of it this way: People come in all shapes and sizes, and so do birds - even within the same subspecies.

Yes that's my baby, I try so hard and then get told she's small breaks my heart

Scott · Dec 29, 2015

Peppa is beautiful, but there are size variations with every species, so she may be on the smaller size of the spectrum. But this in no way stunts her personality or vitality!

Has she been to a vet for a well-check since you purchased her? A good idea if you have any questions, and a blood-panel may determine whether there are any medical issues of concern.

Hawk · Dec 29, 2015

I'm with Wendy and Scott here on that, I wouldn't panic. They can vary in weight and size.

For example my Senegal you'd swear I wasn't feeding it. She's very "Petite" and small for a Senny. But is healthy as an Ox, and quite the eater. I have seen Senegals 3 times her size. People say wow, she's quite small for a Senegal. And she is.

I have seen African Grey Congo's that are "horses"...Huge!!! There's one At the Bird store I frequent that is whitish in color, and is just a very Big Guy, Huge!!!. Everyone calls him " Horse"....And he's just 7 months old. He's over twice the size of a normal Grey. I kid you not. I really want this guy, He's lighter than most Greys I seen, but wife says I have enough birds already.

So point is, they do vary. As for the feathers, could be a late hard molt. That happens, but do monitor it.

Peppagirl · Dec 29, 2015

Thank you, I feel much better. I'll keep an eye on her but she seems happy and energetic.

RavensGryf · Dec 29, 2015

I'm not concerned now after seeing and reading this thread

. You say that her keel bone is not sharp and obviously sticking out. As others have said, she is probably just a "small framed" individual, as with any animal or human, there will be a noticeable variance even within the same species, breed, race, etc. My Ruppell's parrot is so small for his species that he visually looks small. He's healthy, just small framed as I can tell even by looking at his head and beak that are small for a Poi and he's short length wise. With Peppa, varying between 315 and 300 depending on the day and time isn't cause for concern at all. For a bird over 300 grams to vary 15 grams is nothing.

As far as her tail goes, sounds like it is getting broken off? Like it is rubbing or hitting against a small space that she like to frequent? It makes me feel better knowing that they are damaged feathers, and not literally missing out of the body.

As far as having to throw away a bunch of food at night, maybe she is eating her fill, but you are still giving more than she can eat? I also have a lot to throw away, but then I always tell myself I cut too much!

Peppagirl · Dec 29, 2015

RavensGryf said:
I'm not concerned now after seeing and reading this thread . You say that her keel bone is not sharp and obviously sticking out. As others have said, she is probably just a "small framed" individual, as with any animal or human, there will be a noticeable variance even within the same species, breed, race, etc. My Ruppell's parrot is so small for his species that he visually looks small. He's healthy, just small framed as I can tell even by looking at his head and beak that are small for a Poi and he's short length wise. With Peppa, varying between 315 and 300 depending on the day and time isn't cause for concern at all. For a bird over 300 grams to vary 15 grams is nothing.

As far as her tail goes, sounds like it is getting broken off? Like it is rubbing or hitting against a small space that she like to frequent? It makes me feel better knowing that they are damaged feathers, and not literally missing out of the body.

As far as having to throw away a bunch of food at night, maybe she is eating her fill, but you are still giving more than she can eat? I also have a lot to throw away, but then I always tell myself I cut too much!

Thank you, you may be right about her tail feathers as she jumps from the top of her cage to the floor as her wings were clipped when I got her, so maybe that has damaged her tail.

Not putting on weight.

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