Feather damage?

[junelee09]

I just adopted Oscar and I notice his feathers look ragged. He has been cage bound for over a year with no bath except for what he could make due with his water bowl. His toys were also place in such a way that he was constantly bumping up against them. Does he look ok ? And is there a way I can help him?

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[AmyMyBlueFront]

Oscar doesn't look to be in THAT bad shape..but a shower/bath would help him out greatly. Have him sit on a perch,and try a misting bottle..luke warm water. Or try him under a sink faucet..or even showering with you.

Grey (and most birdie's) like different types of showers. Amy,likes to shower with ME..I get in the shower with him on his perch stick,with luke warm water on a light spray from the shower head and he'll open his arms WIDE and shake his head back and fort. In the summer I take hin outside and put him in his favorite low branch in his tree and mist with a bottle. I can go thru three bottle worth of water.
BB the cockatiel is picky about bathing..he will only bathe if I put him in my kitchen sink and put warm water in a coffee mug and gently pour it over him.
He will face plant himself and roll around and over in the sink like he is having a seizure lol.
Smokey,my TAG..just HATED baths,no mater what I did. After putting her back in her house after trying to bathe her,she'd then run to her water bowl and dunk herself silly.
You are going to have to experiment with Oscar to see what he prefers..GOOD LUCK!!

Jim

 

[Soyajam]

He looks a little bit like he's over preened his feathers. A bit ratty but not as bad as it can be, really.

What I've read about helping keep feathers healthy (and preventing over-preening/barbering)
* First see an avian vet to make sure there's no medical issues causing distress
* Make sure his diet's amazing
* Showers in any way they'd accept (people showers, spray bottles, dishes of water, even rolling around in wet leafy vegetables can work too)
* Lots of toys to occupy the beak (instead of the feathers)
* Training can also help as a way to focus on something other than preening.

Other than that you just cross your fingers and hope in the next moult they come out looking amazing!

Thanks for adopting, I'm sure he'll have a fabulous home with you.
Good luck!

 

[SailBoat]

Follow the above and he will be running the household in no time!

 

[junelee09]

He has been on a seeds and peanut diet for the last year. The woman she got him from was giving him nutriberris. How do I convert him to chop iv got him to eat a few fruits. I'm just concerned he hasn't had a vegetable in years ! Is there a sticky or thread on here about converting them to good food?


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[DRB]

He looks fine, just a bit rugged. If you fear the toys are causing some of this just rearrange them. Typically my Perjo adjusts the toys where she wants them anyway.

 

[SailBoat]

He has been on a seeds and peanut diet for the last year. The woman she got him from was giving him nutriberris. How do I convert him to chop iv got him to eat a few fruits. I'm just concerned he hasn't had a vegetable in years ! Is there a sticky or thread on here about converting them to good food?
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Likely are several! Try making what you wish him to eat available first thing in the morning. You will likely have to try presenting them in different cut styles until you find his favorite.

The goal is to transition, so take care not to at least provide some of his standard diet.

Expect this process to be frustrating and longer than expected.

Enjoy!

 

[junelee09]

He's absolutely amazing and so smart he's starting to change his voice the phrases he says are now starting to sound like me. It's bazaar! So I'm sure he knows what he likes and doesn't like. I'm not expecting anything from him he can take it easy here with me. I just want him to be healthy and happy.


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[bigfellasdad]

Get him to an avian vet for a check up for peace of mind and to get 'on the books
He looks fine to me though. My cag only bathes in the water dish but loves to be with me in the shower but not in the water itself. I make sure it's nice and steamy for her which is good for feathers

He looks ace and well done for taking him on board. First parrot?

 

[bigfellasdad]

To get him to try new food, eat some yourself and make lots of hhhmmm yummy noises. They are so inquisitive they just have to try it, I think it's a flock thing as well

 

[DRB]

I agree with the advice on transitioning the diet, don't just take away his previous diet and add a completely new diet. Start off swapping out maybe 25-30%, then monitor what he consumes. IMO put these two differing diets in the same bowl, if you put them in separate bowls the bird will just avoid the bowl he isn't used to and you'll get nowhere. As a week goes by maybe increase the % of the "new improved" diet. But as said above, expect some moments where the bird reverts back to habit.

 

[junelee09]

Get him to an avian vet for a check up for peace of mind and to get 'on the books
He looks fine to me though. My cag only bathes in the water dish but loves to be with me in the shower but not in the water itself. I make sure it's nice and steamy for her which is good for feathers

He looks ace and well done for taking him on board. First parrot?

I worked with a number of smaller parrots. I had a Quaker growing up. Iv always been interested in bird behavior so iv got thousands of hrs of reading and working with different birds under my belt *. Iv already been able to curb his loud Mooooooom scream down to a manageable volume. He's the best!


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