Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject: Two Questions
Hi - I have two questions.
First - Our male kakariki has a bald neck and cheeks. The woman we bought him from said that he was just moulting, but it never cleared up. He scratches it quite a bit. His nice red cheek warstripes are mostly missing. I read on this site that kaks are prone to mites around their ears. We had no luck with a mite spray from a pet store. Then we asked an independent bird shop and they said they could treat him with Ivermectin if we brought him in and it would clear up. We brought him in and the store owner said that our kak definitely did not have mites, that it was probably just a nervous thing or a dietary deficiency. I don't really believe him. Our kak eats fresh things every day, eats Zupreem and seeds equally. He has tons of exercise and interaction. He takes one or two baths a day usually and comes out scratching his head. It looks like it really bothers him. Does anyone on the board have any advice on remedies?
Second - We also have a cockatiel hen that we hope could become pals with our kak. Unfortunately, about half the time they interact, he tries to mate with her and she gets terrified. Other times he acts very sweet and walks slowly up to her and makes soft noises. But she's still scared. He also keeps mating with our hands if the cockatiel is on our body. I've heard that kaks and cocks get along well, but our kak's hormones seem to be getting in the way. Will his urges begin to wane eventually?
They're in separate cages now but we'd like them to get along in the same cage. She's much less agile than he is, so we worry that she'll panic and fall as the cage is huge. Any ideas on how to make them get along? Is it just nature?
Feathermites and scallyface mites differ from bloodmites in that they are not visible. A (good bird) vet have to examine the feathers with a binocular magnifier.
It still surprises me why Kikes in New-Zealand are not prone to these mites. An important factor is that during Winter all mites die due to the cold. They can not survive below, if i'm not mistaking, 14°C. This factor does not happen when kept as a pet indoors.
Another factor brought up by breeders is that bald spots are due to a wide spread genetic disorder. That it belongs to their moulting system. I have doubts about that. I have about 50 Kakariki. Not a single bird is bald during moult since I treat them with Ivermectin.
I would suggest to give it a try and treat your bird with Ivermectin pour-on. Your other birds have to be treated as well cause, in case of, they probably carry them.
It still surprises me why Kikes in New-Zealand are not prone to these mites.
This may or may not be true..There are several factors that influence and maybe hide the reality.
1/We have had rescued, kakariki with bad mites...these are isolated treated for everything, wormed etc (regardless of any symptoms) An don't usually make it to the Kakariki aviaries.
So the chances of x infection is unlikely
2/Kakariki breeders are rare in NZ due to permits, no mutation lines, lack of knowledge they exist, DoC (dept of Conservation) restrictions on keeping, permits, no retail market, and those that are breed have to be killed if no buyer with a permit can take them.
The Kakariki Breeder in NZ has generally a higher std of practises, and doesn't mix it other birds.
This then makes to instance of mite infection far less than other species.
3/Kakariki are not allowed to be kept as pets or inside cages in NZ.
As Peter says "They can not survive below, if I'm not mistaking, 14°C. This factor does not happen when kept as a pet indoors." Again reducing the instance of mite infection in kakariki in NZ.
4/Yes budgie, cockatiel, finch and other parrot species breeders/pet owners do get mites occasionally. I know of 1 budgie breeder who had so many on going problems, they eventually put all their birds in cages, carried out intensive mite program, on them, and completely disinfected, hand scrubbed flights, several times over several weeks, before putting birds back
Mites certainly can pose a serious problem in NZ. But due to the general conditions in NZ for Kakariki it is rare.
This doesn't mean maybe NZ kakariki are not resistant thu, it just means the any resistance cannot be fairly established to exist, when compared to other species. _________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative'
It's regularly under 14 degrees here in Seattle at this time of year. Do you think taking our kak outside for a bit would kill of the mites?
It is not as simple like that. Most of those mites bury themselves in the skin where it is much warmer. Second problem are the eggs they are laying. Actually it should be freezing to take any effect.
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