Quick Q

[suncon97]

Pearls vet visit is next week.Her keel bone can be felt but isn't to prominent but hourly I can be at ease till the visit.Does she look overweight to you guys? She's an African grey.

 

[PortaPerch]

For a start, is there a furrow at the keelbone, and how deep is it? I don't see one in the pic.

A tool that is probably as valuable as any other for a bird's health is a scale. Greybeard weighed 400 when we bought him, but that was on a scale with only 10 mg resolution, so it could have been 395 or 405. He's now 427, and bears watching. Still, 6% overweight is not big. The absolute number is not so important as the trend. A weekly weighing is not too often.

Weighing a bird can be a challenge. I'm thinking of selling a scale that mounts temporarily on the PortaPerch Mobile. That's what I use. It will sell for under $40.

PortaPerch Portable Parrot Perches

 

[suncon97]

Okay I will have to look into a scale.Only a very tiny little indent around the top.She's very active and I don't ever hear any heavy breathing when she is done.

 

[henpecked]

Your best to get someone with some experience to judge whether or not she's overweight, like your AVet.Get them to show you what they are looking at when they check/feel her breast.It's hard to tell from a picture. Do get a set of scales and start weighing her in the AM before feeding.This well help to keep better track of her health.

 

[greycloud]

It is very hard to tell by the pick. Each of my greys weigh differently but it is normal for their body structure. After the vet weighs you baby purchase a scale and begin weighing once a week in the AM before eating.

 

[suncon97]

Would this scale work?[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Weigh-MS-500-BLK-Digital-Pocket-Scale/dp/B000P1NYE8/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1339177112&sr=8-12]Amazon.com: Fast Weigh MS-500-BLK Digital Pocket Scale, 500 by 0.1 G: Kitchen & Dining[/ame]

If not what about a digital kitchen scale

 

[suncon97]

Wait I think this would be more appropriate size haha

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Signature-Series-Digital/dp/B002SC3LLS/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1339177112&sr=8-7]Amazon.com: American Weigh Signature Series Black Digital Pocket Scale, 1000 by 0.1 grams: Kitchen & Dining[/ame]

 

[henpecked]

I use the Digital kitchen scales from the kitchen store/Bed Bath& Beyond. Maybe 20=30$ range.

 

[suncon97]

That one is nice! Would the second one I posted work too?

 

[henpecked]

I'm not sure the "pocket" scales are big enough for you to put a perch on.

 

[suncon97]

Oh yeah hm I'll look around some more but I really like the one you showed me.

 

[PortaPerch]

"I'm not sure the "pocket" scales are big enough for you to put a perch on."

With a lot of trial and error, I've worked that out. That Amazon price is amazing, although the one I use is probably better suited for the job.

 

[suncon97]

I think I found the best deal. This would work right?

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Threatened-competitor-Scale-Capacity-Stainless/dp/B004G7IRN0/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_45]Amazon.com: Threatened by competitor! Digital Kitchen Scale 1g to 11 lb Capacity with Stainless Steel Platform and Extra Large Blue Back Light LCD Display 2.6 x 1.1 inch: Kitchen & Dining[/ame]

 

[PortaPerch]

You need a scale with resolution to 1 gm. I can't tell if that one will read in single grams at a weight of 400 gm.

 

[suncon97]

It said 1g to 11pounds

 

[suncon97]

Ooh GM I'll look at the reviews

 

[IcyWolf]

I got our scale from the kitchen section of walmart, it's nice and big, digital, weighs in grams, ounces, pounds and kilos and I think it weighs up to ten pounds. It was only like twenty bucks and I use it multiple times a day, everyday with no problems

 

[suncon97]

Okay thanks much

 

[suncon97]

Yay! It shows in pounds ounces grams or kilograms

 

[dishgal1]

You can also use a postal scale. That works really great. It is very accurate.