vitamins

[gill]

i was told by a friend of mine to use abidec childrens vitamins with my birds who where looking a bit shabby it has worked a treat u use 2 drops to 1 litre of water i was talking to laura today and she thought i shold share my little tip with you all u use it twice a week it worked for me gill:-)

[kenny]

hi gill
i am sorry to steal your thunder but i have been using abidec for years,they used to give them away free with baby food back in the seventies and they always gave away 2 bottles ,as you know they last for ages so i used to nick the other bottle and use it on my birds,in the water as you do they were doing a special deal at my chemist last week 2 bottles for a fiver but they lost such a long time that it wasn`t a very good deal so i had to buy one bottle but as you say they are certainly worth buying i would not be without them........sorry for hi-jacking your thread though

ken8)

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Gill, Hi Kenny,

Great tips!!! Anything we can do to give them a boost is a good thing!

Dont forget iodine is also a great way to help with feather growth...especially in Australian finches.

Gill, Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear you had such good results!

Kenny, thanks for sharing too!!!

[laurab]

Thanks Gill

I hadn't heard of using it before for birds;-)

[ANNIE]

Hello To Everybody,
I Was Hoping Someone May Be Able To Give Me Some Advice For Feather Plucking. I Aquired A Hahn Macaw Today, He Is A Rescue And Was Found In Lowerstoft Almost Oven-ready, A Fantastic Lady That Helps The R.s.p.c.a. Out Was Tending To Him. His Past Is Not Known He Does Speak A Few Words And Once He Gets To Know You Is Very Tame ( I Think He's Great Anyway..) His Chest, Tumjmy And Legs Are Covered In A Light Covering Of Down But Obviously Now He's Just Had Another Move Into My Home I'm Expecting Him To Start Up Again, I Realise If Anyone Had A Cure They Would Be Worth A Small Mint, I Did'nt Know If Anyone Has Any Advice They Could Hand Downt To Me For This Little Man.

[kenny]

hi annie
and welcome to the site,the only thing i know of for plucking is boredom,you will probably have heard this before but someone else on this site might know better nice to here from you any way


ken8)

[ANNIE]

Hi Kenny, Thanks For Replying, I'm Not To Worried About It As Such But You Just Want To Do Something For Them When They Are Like That Don't You?
Cheers Anyway
Annie:)

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Annie,

That's terrific that you stepped up and opened your home and hearts!!

As a rescued bird, chances are it may have some vitamin deficiencies in addition to what Kenny suggested.

My guess is that it hasnt had the best diet in recent times. If you can increase or maintain a solid calcium level and increase the protein a tad (as feathers are mostly protein) it should help. Iodine in the diet will also help a bit.

May I suggest a good basic vitamin/mineral supplement. That way, the above things will be covered. As far as boredom goes...give it lots of challenges. As most large birds spend a majority of their day foraging for food, etc., place lots of challenging toys w/ hidden treats they must work to find or fish out. Stress can also cause plucking.

There are 3 things to work on that can help it:

1)diet
2)preventing boredom
3)preventing stress

Remember...it is smart enough to give you a challenge, lol...and may exhibit new behaviors once it is comfortable. Just watch for destructive or self destructive behavior

I'll admit, I dont have a Big Bird yet, lol, but I'm certainly trying to prepare for it!!!!!!

[kenny]

hi annie
i knew i would be not much help ,but i also knew someone else on here would be able to help more.....hope nikkis suggestions have helped you a little

ken

[Waxbillman]

i think Nikki has covered everything, boredom is the main problem over come that the bird should be ok.
if you cannot be with the bird, leave the radio on.

Matthew

[Strawblady2000]

Boredom is definately key.

My mom has a naked African Grey...no matter WHAT she's done. I think at this point, she may try an Elizabethan Collar and the bitter spray...but the bird is so smart, she'd probably start crapping on mom's side of the bed in retaliation.

[ANNIE]

HI,
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP AND SUGGESTIONS, HE'S SETTLING IN WELL TALKING LOADS, EATING WELL AND EVEN CAME OUT OF THE CAGE ONTO MY ARM TONIGHT THEN LUNGED HIMSELF AT MY HUBBY ( SEE, TRAINED HIM ALREADY-WHOS' A GOOD BOY THEN?:wink: )

THANKS AGAIN.
ANNIE

[Strawblady2000]

Hi Annie,

I'm absolutely GREEN with envy!!!!

Sounds like he loves his new home and his new mama!!!!!

[laurab]

Well done Annie, especially for the training :-P

[kenny]

hi annie
definately a womans bird then! sounds like he is perking up a bit i think they know when they are being cared for as opposed to just being kept in a cage to look at


ken

[Strawblady2000]

Kenny,

I think they know this too. Seems like all rescued animals, whether it be from a shelter or what have you know that they are in a better place.

[Waxbillman]

sound like your parrot is happy already then, hopefully they feathered will reutrn and not be plucked out

Matthew