question about droppings

sherylb · Aug 21, 2018

I hate to ask but I know we are suppose to watch this stuff with our birds. Anyone know why droppings would be watery with very little substance to it? not usually normal for Kiwi. He started eating more veggies and had some new things yesterday and wondered if that was it or maybe he isn't eating or drinking enough?? He hasn't been eating alot of his pellets lately.

Scott · Aug 21, 2018

You are absolutely correct, droppings are a window into parrot health. However, they may be watery and have odd colors in the immediate aftermath of certain foods. Most of mine reflect this when eating "chop" aka fresh vegetables and fruits.

I assume you feed a combination of fresh food and pellets? If you are noticing significant differences over time, there may be an issue requiring a visit with a certified avian vet. Do you have a scale capable of fine measurements in grams? (many kitchen scales serve this purpose) Weighing frequently and keeping track of unusual gain/loss can be an early warning sign.

Feel free to post pictures of the droppings, we are not at all squeamish! While none of us are vets or techs, we may offer some guidance based on experience.

ChristaNL · Aug 21, 2018

Oh yess, poo-gazing is an important part of parrotkeeping.

Everytime I feed mine something very juicy (fresh veggies, but esp fruit) liquid goodness will exit the parrot (well its only goodness it it lands om places designed for it of course

).
Just like the stool of pellet-eating birds is usual a lot more runny than the all-seed parrots - apparently because pelletmunching birds drink more.

sherylb · Aug 21, 2018

He has just started eating veggies. He doesn't like much though. He likes his pellets but sometimes it seems like he doesn't eat much of hose. He won't eat fruit. His droppings got better as the day went on. I don't have a scale but will get one.

SailBoat · Aug 21, 2018

As part of the Amazon Forum is a Sticky Thread (found at the top of the Amazon forum, highlighted in light blue), which has 30+ segments on loving and living with Amazons (also other Parrots). That huge Thread has a specific segment that helps in defining droppings: 11. A Parrot's Droppings can be an Early Indication of Illness Page 5

It is a very good idea to get a scale, but it will drive you nuts if you do not follow a very specific schedule on when to obtain the weight of your Parrot. The best schedule is first thing in the morning after the large morning movement and before they eat. Keep a record of the date and weight in grams.

Hope that this helps.

condobirds · Aug 21, 2018

Did he take a bath before you seeing these droppings. About an hour or so after a shower or even if the bird "bathed" in his water dish the droppings could be very watery.

EllenD · Aug 22, 2018

It was most-likely due to the fresh veggies he ate. If his droppings returned to normal shortly thereafter then he's fine. Any time they eat fresh veggies, fresh fruit, or they drink a lot of water this can happen (fresh fruit can cause nothing but clear water to come out of them actually). If it's from their diet then the key is that the droppings should very quickly return to normal (once they pass the veggies, fruit, or water that they ate). If their droppings continue to stay watery throughout the entire day, then you need to take them to the Avian Vet for a fecal culture, as they may have an infection of some sort, a kidney issues, etc. But typically this is due to their diet.

BoomBoom · Aug 22, 2018

SailBoat said:
It is a very good idea to get a scale, but it will drive you nuts if you do not follow a very specific schedule on when to obtain the weight of your Parrot. The best schedule is first thing in the morning after the large morning movement and before they eat. Keep a record of the date and weight in grams.

This is so true. I always weigh my sun conure daily in the afternoon when I get home from work. If I weigh him in the morning, he could be up to 3 grams lighter. It's crazy but a reason why schedule for weighing is important. Consistency at the right schedule is important.

Watery poops are very normal with a diet high in veggies and fruits. Sometimes 95% water is even normal after a shower or drinking lots of liquid. It shouldn't remain watery all the time though.

question about droppings

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