How Did I Cure My Grey’s Plucking Almost Over Night?
Michael G. relates:
I have a mystery! I have two African Greys.Â
But first, a bit of history.Â
Michael G. relates:
I have a mystery! I have two African Greys.Â
But first, a bit of history.Â
Susan W. writes:
We have a 20-year old African Grey who has been with us since weaning.
She has been on Harrisons’ pellets for years.
The problem with feeding her Harrisons’ is that she throws them out of her bowl and on the floor outside her cage, so I am not sure how many pellets she actually eats. (more…)
BJ A. wonders:
What would be the best seed mixture for an Amazon, African Grey, and Cockatoo?
I would prefer a mix with no peanuts and no soy, and I appreciate your help.
Trish G asks:
Both are regularly seen by an Avian Diplomate Vet and are in great health, and they eat Harrisons, organic veggies (from the freezer section) and I hide sunflower seeds and pistachios all over their cage for them to hunt, which they do enthusiastically.Â
We take them camping and sailing with us (my husband is both patient and tolerant!).
Lucy usually lays eggs 1-2 times a year, fall and spring, and I let her sit on them at night for about 3 weeks because I found if I pull them she keeps laying more.Â
For the last month she’s been biting me quite hard (blood!) when I try to return her to her cage and random other times, and I’m not able to identify why.Â
Sherry L. comments:
Yes, my birds are fed ‘chop’ (Arlo the grey, calls it ‘bobbity’) This is a new term for what I have done for 28+ years.
Chop is chopped veg, grains, and sometimes, a tiny bit of seed sprinkled on top or a bit of walnut, or something.
I used to cut the vegetables larger because Arlo was pretty accepting of lots of things, and I didn’t have a food processor.
I also (now) feed Arlo a pelleted diet, along with the chop.
She also gets a small amount of fruit, and sometimes about an inch square of chicken breast (baked) or some steamed scallop (yum).
Scott S. asks:
Hi – I actually have a birdie question.
We have a 2-year-old male Gray Cockatiel who has the worst case of “owie” feathers under his wings.
We can lift his wings and see a number of pin feathers that are causing some distress.
Question: what if anything can we do to help him out?
From Reddit
I’ve had my African Grey for a bit over 2 weeks. He only started flying recently.
He’s a 5-month-old birb and I’m getting worried because when he flies he usually flies into a wall.
Our Response:
Flying into walls can be based on color.
I’m looking for a good quality seed mix for my 4 birds
Darryl Z. asks:
Hi.
I’m looking for a good quality seed mix for my 4 birds – a CAG, a Yellow-Shouldered Amazon, a Meyers, and a Caique.
I’m currently using Vita Parrot by Sun Seed but it’s become really filthy over the years.
IÂ actually, pick out the papaya because it’s so filthy and looks so gross, I don’t want my birds eating it.
So that’s where I’m coming from and I wonder if you could please recommend a few of your top mixes.
Bonnie D. wrote:
I have a question for you.
The reason for my switching to Hagen Alternative Formula was because it had no soy or corn.
But I noticed that it has peanuts in it.
I was always told by my vets that the greys shouldn’t have peanuts (or too many) because it decreased the calcium in their bones.Â
What is your take on that?
I’ve combined several questions in this post, all related to feather care, you know those hundreds (thousands) of lighter than air floating things around your home, under the birdcage and on the floor.
Feathered factoid: small pet birds like budgies can have 4000 – 6000 feathers.
Larger parrots can have upwards of 8000 feathers (we count them coming out of the shop vac).
Waterbirds like ducks and swans have upwards of 10,000 feathers or more.