Weight Issues

apatrimo94

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Jun 15, 2010
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Hudson Valley, New York
Parrots
Bartleby-Pearl Cockatiel
S'mores-Albino Parakeet
Ok, so from my previous thread about scales and weight, I have learned that S'mores is underweight and Bartleby is overweight. What should I do?

Both of them are on a pellet/seed diet with carrots, apples, and broccoli. And I occasionally give them hard-boiled eggs. In the morning, they each get 1/2 cup of pellets,1/4 cup of seed, and apple slices. When I get home from school, that food goes out. Then for dinner, the get 50/50 1/2 cup of pellets and seeds, with broccoli and carrots. Then, food goes away until breakfast next morning. Is that good?

How can I help S'more gain a few grams? Bartleby however, needs to lose A LOT. She is way over her limits. She does exercise by flapping her wings and running around her cage. Should she do more and/or should I give her less food portions?
 

Marie

New member
Oct 19, 2010
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Parrots
I have a Meyer's Parrot named Lily.
Are there symptoms/signs of illness in the "underweight" bird?
 

Marie

New member
Oct 19, 2010
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0
Parrots
I have a Meyer's Parrot named Lily.
I don't think you have to worry about the "underweight" bird gaining weight then.

The best form of exercise for your cockatiel who is overweight is probably flying.
 

Aussie Ben

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Jun 8, 2010
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South Australia
Buddy got to 140 grams once, which was not good, so I had to put her on a diet. She got down to around 92 grams and now maintains a healthy weight around 100grams. Every bird is a little different so you do have to modify the diet for the individual.

So this is what i did to help buddy become the 'biggest loser' lol:

- As Marie said, flying. Flying REALLY helps shed those grams quickly and it also builds up their muscles a bit ;)

- Reduce the amount of seed in her diet, seed is extremely fattening. Buddy used to recieve several spoons of seed as this is all she would eat. I converted her to pellets as recommended by a vet, but i still give her a small amount of seed. One of my vets told me that she should only have about a tea spoons worth of seed mix a day. I give this to her in the morning with her pellets and veg, then at night, I only offer veg.

- Check the keel bone. As Bartleby is losing weight, check the keel bone. If you can not feel it easily then she is overweight, if you can see it, she is underweight. If you can feel it, but not see it, you know your pretty close to ideal weight.

- Weigh the food (only till you get used to it). Most good pellet brands will recommend a certain weight of food that should be offered each day. The brand I have recommends 15grams for a tiel. You also have to factor in the seed. I don't include veggies in this weight, as they are pretty darn healthy.

Also, can't remember where I read this, but a tiel should consume enough food to equal about 10% of their body weight a day. That may help guide you too.

Hope some of this helps :)

As for S'mores, check her keel bone. This is not a definite way of telling if she is at correct weight, but it is a VERY good guide.
 

Spiritbird

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Aug 20, 2009
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If your vet was not concerned about the weight then you should relax. Your bird may be on the small size.
 

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