Scruffy head feathers

asterrjones

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Hi, my baby lovebird has a scruffy head. We have had him since Sunday and he was the same when we got him. He is 5.5 weeks old. Is it normal for the head to look a bit scruffy?
97bdadd10a8fc3daa56e6d8c0eecc39e.jpg



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Laurasea

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It will tidy up sooner. When damaged feathers are detected they are replaced.
Can you post another pic?
O hljust want to see if any signs that could be PBFD
 
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asterrjones

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It will tidy up sooner. When damaged feathers are detected they are replaced.
Can you post another pic?
O hljust want to see if any signs that could be PBFD



94c7a5f36281aa6e1984ecad8c264710.jpg



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asterrjones

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It will tidy up sooner. When damaged feathers are detected they are replaced.
Can you post another pic?
O hljust want to see if any signs that could be PBFD



0c5e3805ec987d2a15436703a1bd0756.jpg



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Laurasea

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What a cutie.
Hard to see the head feathers.
I see is an weaned baby, have you had experience with babies? Do you have good guideline in feeding and abundance weaning? Health and nutrition very important at this stage. Get a kitchen scale and track weights.
Super cutie!
 
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asterrjones

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What a cutie.
Hard to see the head feathers.
I see is an weaned baby, have you had experience with babies? Do you have good guideline in feeding and abundance weaning? Health and nutrition very important at this stage. Get a kitchen scale and track weights.
Super cutie!



No this is my first. The seller said he was ready to go but to give him two feeds a day to supplement his pellets and veg. I give 8mls twice a day. The bird eats it all then stops eating when his crop is nicely rounded. I bought the kaytee formula. The bird enjoys it and can’t wait to take it but eats seed and millet too. I’ve been introducing tiny amounts of veg and fruit. The bird had some scruffy head feathers when we got him . He is active and sings but if he goes in his bird bath he gets wet and cold and seems unhappy. Once I warm him through he is back to happy and super active. I’ve moved him from his carrier box (brooder) to the cage and he explores that. He will also fly to me from his open cage when I call him. Am I doing ok? The bird is 6 weeks old now


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asterrjones

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Also I often give a third or even fourth smaller feed if he will take it. I can tell if he wants it when I show him the syringe. If he wants it I give it but the seller said not to over feed him as can cause reflux but from what I’ve read online if he wants the feed he will take it and will stop when he doesn’t want it. So this is what I go with. He takes a good amount each feed. But less in the one or two extra feeds. If that makes sense


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asterrjones

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Oh and I’ve removed the bird bath as I think he gets too cold if he gets too wet. Instead I bathe his head and chest in warm water then towel dry him and place him in my bra to keep him warm and to dry out


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Laurasea

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He doesn't need to bathe everyday unless he is still getting messy from the baby food... which lol I guess he is.
It's time to offer lots of healthy veggies from parrot safe food list. Since he is a baby you can mince them up, encourage him to explore them. Leafy lettaces have good nutrition, a little scrambled eggs, you want to expose him to lots of foods as a baby do will eat healthy and be healthy as an adult. It's a good time to introduce pellets to, I like oven baked bites by all living things, sold at pet smart. In a different thread it was mentioned could get cheaper on line.
Sounds like you are doing good! Definitely let him have a little comfort feeds if he is wanting them .
Also please have spare food for him to see you through any Coronavirus quarantines that might hsppen.
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html
 
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asterrjones

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He doesn't need to bathe everyday unless he is still getting messy from the baby food... which lol I guess he is.
It's time to offer lots of healthy veggies from parrot safe food list. Since he is a baby you can mince them up, encourage him to explore them. Leafy lettaces have good nutrition, a little scrambled eggs, you want to expose him to lots of foods as a baby do will eat healthy and be healthy as an adult. It's a good time to introduce pellets to, I like oven baked bites by all living things, sold at pet smart. In a different thread it was mentioned could get cheaper on line.
Sounds like you are doing good! Definitely let him have a little comfort feeds if he is wanting them .
Also please have spare food for him to see you through any Coronavirus quarantines that might hsppen.
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html



Thank you. He has been really enjoying some black sunflower seeds today. He hasn’t seemed too interested in the veg but I’ve read this is quite common and to continue with offering as he will eventually take it.


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asterrjones

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This thread might be helpful as you finish weaning your little sweetie.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...read.php?t=74363&share_type=t&link_source=app


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Thank you. Yes I’m just keeping feeding him and letting him take what he wants. I hope he will be ok. Reading that content was scary. I keep him warm and if I ever notice he is a bit cool I warm him. I keep the room warm too. He is just over 6 weeks now. He should be ok shouldn’t he? He has all his feathers and is starting to fly. He eats really well. We keep the formula the same and he eats it well. Thank you so much for your help.


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