Orange winged amazon feed help

[Simmons]

Hi all

I have recently been given an Orange Winged amazon by my parents as they no longer can care for him. I have grew up with him so he is comfortable round me. The only concern i have is that my parents kept him on a seed diet and i would like to change that as his feathers don't look all the best. I'm thinking a change of diet may change that ?

I have fed him Apple and some grapes but he cant live on that can he I'm wondering what els would be good to feed him that will be good for him.

 

[GWMYR]

Hi all

I have recently been given an Orange Winged amazon by my parents as they no longer can care for him. I have grew up with him so he is comfortable round me. The only concern i have is that my parents kept him on a seed diet and i would like to change that as his feathers don't look all the best. I'm thinking a change of diet may change that ?

I have fed him Apple and some grapes but he cant live on that can he I'm wondering what els would be good to feed him that will be good for him.

Yeah, an all seeds diet is not good for any parrots.

Try to get him feed on pellets. Brands like zupreem, harisons is good.

A parrot diet consist like 50-60% pellets, 20-30% fresh foods ( fruits, vegges etc) and 10% seeds or nuts.

For changing his diet you have to take it slow, like mixed the seeds and pellets and slowly reduced the amount of seeds.

Hope I helped.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi there, and welcome to the forums.

Here are 2 great threads for you, both of which contain a lot of information regarding diet, safe foods, and how to convert your bird to eat a better diet.

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...afe-fresh-foods-toxic-food-lists-sprouts.html

Yes, getting your OW to eat a variety of fresh foods and giving him baths, should most definitely improve his plumage.

 

[Simmons]

Yes, getting your OW to eat a variety of fresh foods and giving him baths, should most definitely improve his plumage.

When you say give him baths. Would i put shallow water in the bath and just place him in it ? Wont it cause him stress i don't think he has ever had anything like that done before lol

 

[JerseyWendy]

When you say give him baths. Would i put shallow water in the bath and just place him in it ? Wont it cause him stress i don't think he has ever had anything like that done before lol

He's never had a bath before? Well, that would explain poor feather condition for sure.

"Most" Amazons absolutely LOVE their baths. I don't use a shallow water dish. I use a spray bottle and put the settings on 'mist'. I place my zons on the back of a chair (one at a time), turn on the music (they LOOOVE music), and spray them, so that the mist gently falls on them. They can't get enough. By the time they are both done, my fingers have gone into muscle failure due to having to pull the trigger on the spray bottle so many times, LOL.

I can take both of mine into the shower, too. But I can't stress enough how important baths are to a bird's overall well being.

 

[Kiwibird]

Yes, getting your OW to eat a variety of fresh foods and giving him baths, should most definitely improve his plumage.

When you say give him baths. Would i put shallow water in the bath and just place him in it ? Wont it cause him stress i don't think he has ever had anything like that done before lol

Amazons definitely like a gentle rain-like misting and should be having 2-3 baths a week. Once your becomes used to the concept, you can drench him (trust me, few things are happier in this world than a dripping, soaking wet amazon)! They come from the rainforest, where it rains almost every day. There is something instinctual that makes a zon light up when it's bath time

Some will also bathe in a dish, however, it is more play time for them as they are not efficient bird bathers. They more make a big mess for you and only get a small portion of themselves wet

 

[Kiwibird]

Hi all

I have recently been given an Orange Winged amazon by my parents as they no longer can care for him. I have grew up with him so he is comfortable round me. The only concern i have is that my parents kept him on a seed diet and i would like to change that as his feathers don't look all the best. I'm thinking a change of diet may change that ?

I have fed him Apple and some grapes but he cant live on that can he I'm wondering what els would be good to feed him that will be good for him.

Amazons like a variety of fruits and veggies, if you can entice them to try them Fruit is generally the easiest "first foods" to get a zon on a poor diet to try since it's sweet. Besides apples and grapes, many favor berries, bananas, citrus fruits, melons, pineapple, 'tropical' fruits like mango and papaya Oddly, most zons also have a 'thing' for broccoli for some reason, and many will eat mashed sweet potatoes as well. You can also offer veggies too and see if he's feeling adventurous enough to try some

In addition to adding more fresh produce, you can also start trying him on (cooked or sprouted) grains and beans.

 

[Simmons]

All this info is amazing thank you. I had him sat next to me while i was eating an he was going mad for something so i gave him some veg and he seemed to love it. Tho the shower didn't go down very well he has been in a bad mood for long time now. he wont even lower his head for a scratch he is that peeved off with me lol.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I use a pump sprayer. The regular spray bottles freak out my bird. This you just pump up like a garden sprayer pull the trigger and it puts out a fine mist on them . Actually last a long time before you have to pump it up again . Pet smart but Amazon also carries them.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Christine, I bought one of those sprayers that you pictured, in hopes of not getting knuckle-lock from the constant trigger motion I was doing with the regular spray bottles. You should have seen the sheer panic on both Hunter's and Sam's faces. LMAO! Sam took off flying, screeching in horror, while Hunter just flopped herself on the floor, eyes bulging, HAHAHAH. I'm sure I'll get them used to it - sooner or later. :32:

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

When you say give him baths. Would i put shallow water in the bath and just place him in it ? Wont it cause him stress i don't think he has ever had anything like that done before lol

He's never had a bath before? Well, that would explain poor feather condition for sure.

"Most" Amazons absolutely LOVE their baths. I don't use a shallow water dish. I use a spray bottle and put the settings on 'mist'. I place my zons on the back of a chair (one at a time), turn on the music (they LOOOVE music), and spray them, so that the mist gently falls on them. They can't get enough. By the time they are both done, my fingers have gone into muscle failure due to having to pull the trigger on the spray bottle so many times, LOL.

I can take both of mine into the shower, too. But I can't stress enough how important baths are to a bird's overall well being.

JerseyWendy..Gee Amy LOVES a mist shower. I would take her outside and place her on a tree branch and spray spray spray..while she opened up her arms all the way and shook her head. Now I have tried one of those shower perches but there isen'tenough room between her and the shower wall for her to open up and enjoy her shower.
I NEVER thaught about putting her on the back of a chair! Just put some towels or paper on the floor for the water.

THANKS A BAZILLION for the idea! I knew there was a reason why I'd love this site! ))

Jim