Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 4:21 am Post subject: Just Settling in Perhaps?
Hi There,
This is my first post on your excellent site.
I have only last week purvhased a male Kakariki, his name is Kaka, the pet shop say he is a year old.
As you will see from the photo he has a lot of feather loss, the pet shop said that he was picked on the the females he shared a cage with and that they did it.Does this sound likely, or have we bought a poorly bird? Will his feather grow in time.
We are happy to give him all the love and care he needs yet there are still a few things that seem odd. Any advice would be appreciated.
He is not interested in fresh fruit or vegetabels, i have read all the wonderful combinations that are listed on the site and he does not feel the need to try anything at all, he just eats seed and mainly sunflower at that, which i know is not very healthy.
The other thing which i have noticed, is that i dont think he is drinking from his water dispenser, it never appears to go down, yet before he gets in his daily bath he will always have a drink.
I have read a lot of your site and have already had a lot of questions answered, so any advice on this would help.
Birds who are used to eat seeds only need more time to adapt on other food like veggies and fruit. Give him a few months. Try to give him veggies only. Once he is used to it he saves the seeds for last. Also try to sprout the seeds. Sprouted seeds have a better nutritional value.
The featherloss is probably the result of mites. Ivermectin is the most powerfull product to beat these. It is only available from a vet. Ask him for a pour-on. Its causes the birds less stress then an injection and you can use it yourself.
He does look a bit sad doesnt he I dont know about the feather loss but with his diet I would just continue with the veg for him he will eventually get there.......maybe if you pick out the sunflower seeds from his mix too this might help..leave about 3 in there for the while day and he will eat some of the other seed too........after a few weeks you could lessen the amount of seed in his cage and this also might encourage him to eat his veggies
I have had kakariki looking similiar to the photo when breeding and they recover quickly (within a few weeks) to a normal plumage.
I also saw some immaculately feathered kakariki start to look scruffy and loose feathers after a couple of weeks of being cooped up in a small cage at a pet shop.
Thanks for your comments, he is happy in him self, he is quite brave and will come out for a fly around the room, i hope his feathers do improve with lotion and that his diet eill eventually adapt to things that are healthier for him.
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:34 am Post subject: It may sound silly - but ...
Hi, You deserve a big gold star for buying your little bird, but I think the pet shop should be given a good smack! I agree it looks like mite & get him to a vet ASAP. Many years ago we aquired a couple of budgies & they where in the same state. They were both treated by the vet, lotion to put on them & both flourished to be beautiful birds & lived full, long & happy lives.
I have only had Kakariki's for 2 and a half years. My first, Millie came to us very timid & withdrawn. Her feathers weren't wonderful, but soon improved. Although she had been fed & watered on seed & only occasionally apple I soon had her eating well & looking a lot healthier.
I know this might sound silly but talk to your little bird about anything under the sun & (more important) sing to him, even if like me you have a lousy singing voice LOL!. All birds love to be gently sung to & it will help him on his road to recovery. Spend as much time being with him as you can, he will come to trust & love you. Introduce him slowly to new & different fruits & veggies.
Best of luck & keep in touch so we know how you're both doing.
Wehave 'resucued' several /Kakariki over the yrs....
Like Peter comments, it take months for them to adapt to a new heathy diet....thu we are of a different veiw, we keep suppling seed and let them make the transition in their time without any sudden change.
Most reputable pet shops will worm and dose for mites before the bird is sold....if not do as Peter suggests and carry out such maintenance.
Feather conditions as illustrated can be from many issues, from diet, inbreeding, aggression from other birds, and deases...
It is not a good idea to purchase a bird in poor condition. _________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative'
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