Accepted Answer

Dear Ms. Tirland:

 

Thank-you for your answers.

 

Although I cannot diagnose your bird without seeing her, we would need to rule out such causes of feather-picking as: nutritional, too dry an environment, secondary bacterial or yeast infections. At her age with no exposure to other birds, I would put the viral causes way down at the bottom of the list.

 

Even the most expensive seed mix will still be deficient in vitamins, minerals, trace minerals and protein. It is important to get her on a more balanced diet if you can, even at her wonderfully advanced age.The other thing that might help her tremendously until you can get her in to see a vet would be a full spectrum light (see below), and misting her daily to moisturize her skin.

 

The reason I think an exam is so important for your baby is not so much because of the feathers, but moreso for the weight loss (unless she's losing weight because she is so stressed by her feathers?). Only an exam can tell you for sure. Here is a link to help you find a vet: www.aav.org/vet-lookup. Here are some management tips which I think you will enjoy after your vet visit.

 

 

"Happy Management Plan":

 

As you might know, a seed-based diet is virtually deficient in Vitamin A, Calcium, and Vitamin D: all three of these nutrients are essential to any bird, but particularly to an egg-layer. A bird's feathers will look gorgeous with a seed diet, because the seeds are loaded with fat. So are nuts.

 

-To convert to pellets may take upward of a year, but the results are well worth it. I prefer Harrison's (http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/), but any organic pellet without additives will do. This website has a wealth of information about nutrition and conversion, so it is worth a peak even if you choose something else. Pellets should comprise approx. 70-75% of the diet. Conversion should only occur after your bird has been deemed 'healthy' by a vet. Here is the link to help you find one: www.aav.org/vet-lookup.

 

-Next on the list is the 'seven layer salad': (http://www.featheredfitness.com/cat/Seven+Layer+Salad.html) . Not only are these fun for your bird, but I think they are a blast to make. Your goal is to pick things laden with Vitamin A, like dark leafy greens, or red, yellow, and orange veggies. Think of fruit more like dessert. Use lots of healthy whole grains also. You may need to make food size allowance to suit your bird. It might take months for your bird to recognize these things as 'edible'.

 

-Sprouted seeds have much more nutrition (they are actually healthy!) than regular seeds. Here is the site I like : http://www.chinaprairie.com/ . Once sprouted, the birds enjoy these as not only a food, but an activity as well. You can serve them as a snack, a salad dressing, or diet mainstay.

 

-Try a full-spectrum light bulb for 7-12hrs / day (http://users.mis.net/~pthrush/lighting/spectrum.html) . This will allow Vitamin D3 to help Calcium be absorbed, which the bird would otherwise get from direct sunlight (a rare commodity for us these days). Calcium is extra-important in females, especially if they begin to lay.

 

-Mist with plain warm water daily.

 

Your vet may choose to give vitamin and/or mineral injections to get a jump-start on good nutrition.

 

I understand that you are disabled and that this list has a lot on it. Please just try to do what you can and your bird will benefit from your efforts. You are one of the few people get to brag about a 15 yr old cockateil!

 

If you have more questions please click on 'reply'. If you find this answer helpful please click on the green ACCEPT icon. Bonuses and feedback are always appreciated.

 

Thank-you,

Dr. Lisa

 

(I will be off-site for a few hours. I apologize for any inconvenience)..

 

 

Expert:	Dr.Lisa
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	4/26/2009

Bird Vet. Former Zoo Birdkeeper

24 yrs of small animal vet practice. Dog, cat and parrot caretaker for 33 yrs! Zookeeper for 1 yr.