How to cope with weight loss and encourage healthy muscle growth

[EnglishMuffin]

So as I said in my last thread, Sootie has really gotten the hang of this flying thing now and she's really enjoying terrorizing everybody in the house with it. her flight feathers and even her tail haven't fully grown back yet but she's so agile it's shocking. She has mastered landing so softly that sometimes she can land on my back and I don't notice she's there. She climbs up to near my shoulder and then goes 'WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!' right down my earhole. Very entertaining for her, apparently.



Anyway on topic- I've noticed recently that her keelbone is getting sharp and she's obviously losing weight. The trouble is that with all the extra activity, she's not really eating anything more. Does anyone have any idea on birdie sports nutrition!? Should I feed her the way a human would eat- lean proteins and complex carbs to build weight?

 

[ZephyrFly]

From a humany stand point I would say you have the right idea. A bit more birdy mash/something with beans might work?
There are others on here that'll have years of experience to offer.

 

[Selestine]

Not going to lie, that was entertaining for me too.

Beans sounds like a good idea. And not saying seeds are a fabulous source of nutrition -- but if she doesn't already get them as a treat they might be a nice addition for an active bird. A little bit of fat isn't bad when you're working very hard.

 

[weco]

The various weights posted for YSGCCs are only guides and not limits to be attained or maintained, so your "Should I feed her the way a human would eat- lean proteins and complex carbs to build weight?" might be on the presumptuous side, given that all humans don't all eat the same and their bodies needs are not all the same either.....

I don't know that I've ever seen any "sports" nutrition guidelines for any YSGCCs looking to compete in the Olympics or other sporting event ! ! !

It may be that you & your avian veterinarian are going to need to design your own nutritional "sports" diet for your particular specie, given that there are over 200 different parrot species.....good luck.....