Diet Suggestions For Plucking and Chewing

[melbourned]

I brought Winston and Montego to our Avian Vet to discuss the scratching, feather plucking and chewing. I've been feeding Volckman's Eclectus Food with cut fruits and veggies every day. The vet was adamant that they be on a pellet diet primarily but still give some seeds (Volkmans) and fruit. Don't hold the things they really like. After a month Montego is breaking out in new feathers but just a few for Winston. They both weigh 420 to 440 grams. Any thoughts?

 

[Anansi]

I have always kept my ekkies on a primarily fresh fruit and veggies diet, with maybe a 5% allowance for seeds. Through observation of their eating habits, preferences, and creative adjustments, I've gotten them to a point where their diets are balanced and complete.

There are many variables, however, when it comes to tracking down the causes of any dietary issues when it comes to eclectus parrots. In your case, given that Montego at least is benefitting from the new diet, it looks as though he was either suffering from a food sensitivity/allergy that has been alleviated by the elimination of that particular food from his daily meals, or he was being picky enough that he was suffering from a nutritional deficiency of some sort.

Some ekkie owners have reported good results while using organic pellets formulated for eclectic parrots, so if you are having some success with the new diet I'd say go with it. But watch closely. Sometimes there is a build up before toe-tapping or wing-flipping set in. Hopefully, neither of these happens and you can maintain them on their current diet.

As for Winston, his failing to re-feather (yet) could be due to any number of reasons. First off, how long was he plucking or chewing? Because it is possible that his follicles have been damaged if it was going on long enough. Or if he was pulling violently enough. You also have to ask yourself whether he has stopped plucking as Montego apparently has. Sometimes plucking can start off with a medical cause, and then evolve, through repetition, into something more behavioral. Habitual.

Heck, there's even the possibility that there was an entirely separate topical issue going on. Less likely given Montego's improvement, but it can't be discounted as a possibility, either.

Is there at least any indication that the itching has ceased?

Btw, what subspecies of eclectus are they?

 

[jess.reco]

I brought Winston and Montego to our Avian Vet to discuss the scratching, feather plucking and chewing. I've been feeding Volckman's Eclectus Food with cut fruits and veggies every day. The vet was adamant that they be on a pellet diet primarily but still give some seeds (Volkmans) and fruit. Don't hold the things they really like. After a month Montego is breaking out in new feathers but just a few for Winston. They both weigh 420 to 440 grams. Any thoughts?

Have you heard of chop? I make a huge batch for my girl of fresh veggies and some grains, and she LOVES IT.

Eccys can be very sensitive to pellets. My girl has a diet of 20% pellets, and they're high quality with no colour to them. Like Anansi said though, just watch them. I have Tequila on a different type of pellet ages ago and she started toe tapping. I've only this year allowed her to have pellets and she's been fine on this one.

 

[Brittany741]

Persie was on bagged bird food when she came to us. After much research, I discovered many conflicting articles and resources. I found switching her overnight from 100% bagged to 99% fresh diet was the way to go. She gets maybe 10-15 pellets - Golden'Obles- per day.

I spent hours poring over all the ingredients in every pellet and found only three that were truly Eclectus friendly and least likely to cause issues - TOPs, Prettyparrot.com, and Goldenfeast Golden'Obles. The Golden'Obles were BY FAR the best tasting. Tops were downright gross.

She has not plucked a single feather since she's been here and it's been almost two weeks. Combined with frequent bathing, I suspect we may be on to something. I'm not willing to say anything has been solved because Murphy's Law has taught me never to do that!

 

[Uglow]

You've gotten some great advice already.
I would like to add that Volkman's has tons of sunflower seeds in it and doesn't look very eclectus friendly at all. And some of the "eclectus" pellets out there appear to be way over fortified and one of them is even artificially colored.
Like Brittany741, I too use Golden'Obles when I have to use pellets.
Fresh veggies with a good variety is the name of the game. You would be hard pressed to find anyone complaining about diet issues caused by a good mix of fresh food.
I've been pretty successful with sprouting as well which doesn't get mentioned as often.

My guy is picky when it comes to food, it's been the single toughest thing in caring for him, but I think we're making a turn in the right direction.

One last thing, maybe introduce some preening, chewing and foraging toys to occupy their time and mind.

 

[DexMom]

I also recommend Goldenfeast Golden'obles if you decide to try pellets. I use them at a supplemental food in addition to a diet of fresh fruit, veggies, grains and beans. An extra bonus is that they are loops, which I can string up on leather cords as part of my homemade foraging toys (taking no credit, I stole this idea from another member here).

The Volkman's food is appropriate in that it does not have added vitamins (very important for ekkies), but seems like a very high ratio of sunflower seeds which are not very nutritive or healthy (think bird candy).

 

[Anansi]

...The Volkman's food is appropriate in that it does not have added vitamins (very important for ekkies), but seems like a very high ratio of sunflower seeds which are not very nutritive or healthy (think bird candy).

Excellent point. The reason Volkman's seeds are usually recommended for ekkies is the lack of enriching supplements which might trigger toe-tapping or wing-flipping. I buy this seed mix myself.

I'm also dismayed by the amount of sunflower seeds, mind you, but since I only feed them around one teaspoon worth a day (sometimes 2, if I'm feeling particularly indulgent) I find it easy enough to filter out most of the sunflower seeds through my fingers before sprinkling them into the treat bowl.

By far the more impressive Volkmans product, in my opinion, is their Fancy Soak and Simmer. Great source of legumes, oats and grains.

 

[Brittany741]

This may seem silly, but I chose Golden'Obles to buy a larger amount of because of the container. TOPs are stupid expensive but nearly the same ingredients as what Prettyparrot.com sells. PrettyParrot is I think around 1/4 the cost.

The only seed mine get is sprouted. I also didn't want anything in the food I could use as a treat in a pinch, sunflower seed included. For treats, I go for almonds or pistachios (unsalted, human grade.)

The baby is on a pellet I really don't like, so I'll be switching him over ASAP.

Still crossing my fingers her plucking is strictly diet and environmentally-related (no baths for five years means one greasy chicken!)

 

[Anansi]

There's a REALLY good chance her plucking was a result of the lack of baths. Ekkies need frequent baths. A decline in their feather quality messes with them big time.

As for treats, I go with a variety of unsalted nuts, broken into small pieces. Never peanuts, though.

 

[EdwardH]

Eckies live in rainforests so they LOVE their showers. Mine would shower with me everyday for most of the year, reducing to 3-4 days per week in mid winter.
Food is fresh veggies and fruit - anything that isn't bad for them like avocado. they also love foraging, I would wrap small bits of almonds in paper balls and they would go on a hunt and destroy mission until every paper ball was fully investigated and all nuts eaten. It was fun to watch and fun for Jade!
Good food and plenty of showers generally keeps eckies very healthy and scratch free.