New balanced diet.

Eddy · New Member Joined: Apr 01, 2006 Posts: 2

Hi all,

I rescued a Red fronted kakariki yesterday and the poor bird is in a very sad state.
Most of her head, back, top of wings and chest are bald, she is very thin but can still fly.
The people told me she has been like this for about 3 years. ( and they never botherd to find out why wall

)

She was fed on CeDe - a complementary food for parots and sunflower seeds. ( rarely anything else)

I have given her a seed mix, millet spray and some fruit and veg - appart from the veg she has been eating a lot, but my question is; what would be the best diet for her and will this change upset her system?

Any help is appreciated!

Many thanks.

Peter · Foundation Member Joined: Oct 15, 2004 Posts: 599

Hi Eddy and w3c

to this site,

I don't think your bird has a diet problem. Baldness is generally caused by mites( sometimes it can be hormonal). This type of mites are microscopic and therefore not visual. They feed them selves with the kreatin from the feathers. Sometimes you can notice some small lines of tunnels they have made, especially in the tail feathers.
They also live under the skin and feed them selves with the roots of the feather which are unable to grow.

The best way to treat this parasite is to use Ivermectin pour-on. In your country it is generally available from a vet. Brand names you can find here. http://www.glostercanary.co.uk/gloster.co16.htm

Continue with the diet you give. Only, I would administer more animal proteins. I do not say that the CeDe-eggfood is bad but maybe it is better to mix a hard boiled egg or some living Buffalo worms.

Peter