Weight fluctuations?

[thekarens]

Do your birds fluctuate in weight? How much before you worry. When I brought Sammie home she was 124g and when I weighed her tonight she was 120g.

It's been about 4 months since I originally weighed her. She's been acting/ eating/pooping fine, but I wondered how much of a change has to happen before you worry.

Her yearly examine will be in May, but I'll take her in now if needed.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

4 gm fluctuation for sammi's size is not something i would be concerned about since all else is fine. Weight should be taken when all things are equal, i.e. First thing in morn after the "big one" drops, and before eating. Pritti fluctuates up to about 15 gms difference in any one day if I compare to morning weight.

 

[thekarens]

Thank you! I didn't think I should be concerned, but you know how it goes, you then start to over think things.

 

[henpecked]

I'd say 10% is pretty normal. Weigh before feeding in the AM.

 

[MonicaMc]

A birds weight can fluctuate throughout the time of year as well as change depending upon what's going on within the environment. Here's a weight graph from the owner of Pepper -- A Senegal Parrot

This was made September of 2008 and shows Pepper's (the senegal) weight through at least a couple of years. The area where it appears as if Pepper's weight dipped dramatically (it was more of a gradual decrease over several days) was around 4th of July weekend where he lost weight after being terrified about the fireworks and loud noises. Once all the festivities went away, his weight dramatically increased (9% weight gain in one day!) back up to about average for him.




So depending on diet, environment and even seasons/lighting, you should expect some amount of weight fluctuations.