bald kakariki

tuppence · New Member Joined: Feb 06, 2011 Posts: 2

looking for advice, Phoebe, my kakariki is losing her feathers, her head is almost bald, this has taken place over the last couple of weeks. have tried mite sprays and vitamin supplements to no avail. any advice w3c

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

Run a forum seach for
mites
worms
invermectin
lots of info
"Quick Search" block to the left.

pabloc · Foundation Member Joined: Sep 26, 2007 Posts: 988

I think also diet and protein content also plays a part in feather condition.
I don't know if it's coincidence but since I increased the intake of protein in my birds feather condition is much better, and I haven't used ivermectin as preventive for many months.
Now for a couple of weeks I think I haven't been generous enough with protein, and I noticed one male that is raising 2 chicks is a bit bald on the chest.
Since I have increased protein content again the feather condition has started to improve.

Maybe coincidence?

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

Along with Pab above..good consistant diet is esentual for long term good health and resistance to worms mites and the effect they have.
Vinegar is also an essentual part to resistance
Search
Apple cider and
vinegar

tuppence · New Member Joined: Feb 06, 2011 Posts: 2

Thanks for the prompt replies, I will try cleaning with vinegar and introducing more protein into her diet as a start before using anything else.

I am a real novice in bird care. Phoebe is my first and only experience. She literally walked up the path of my house five months ago and I managed to get her to fly into a box. I checked round and put adverts in the local newspaper but no one claimed her so I decided to make her part of the family. She has a large cage and flys around the sitting room every day. I feed her the best seed but she has no interest in vegetables but loves grapes and kiwi fruit. She has seemed to be very content up until now with this bald situation. I have not been able to handle her. Would spraying her with a mixture of water and vinegar be helpful?

pabloc · Foundation Member Joined: Sep 26, 2007 Posts: 988

yes, I use a garden mister to spray all my birds
that way to also spray the cage/perches etc..

I think most of us here started with kakariki by accident/curiosity with kakariki, and these little fellas have something that make u fall in love.

Cheers / Pablo

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

It maybe moult.
Worms , there is a thread tells u how to check with a cheap kiddie microscope.
I would use the vinegar water to clean/mist.....apple cider in veggies once a week....try capsicum, sweet corn, radish to start off.

And strongly suggest invermectin on the back of the neck and repeated about 10 days later.....
We dose all new birds.....have not had to dose any of ours for nearly 10 yrs now.