I agree with Goodbird about the calcium.  I did calcium tests constantly with my CAG that was 16yrs old for 14yrs.  She took seizures.  And never found her low with calcium.  Calcium is a tricky one as it fluctuates through the day.  So supplementing is something if your vet tells you to do is still needs testing to make sure it is correct.  Poor Allie became a pin cushion.

 

Allie was 16 and I probably could count how many times she had an attempted bath on one hand.  She hated it and remembered.  And like I said had perfect feathers.  She use to get compliments from the vets but never could figure out why.  Till I got Bubba and seen what they could do to themselves.  He gets baths and it doesn't help one bit.  But he is so sweet so he doesn't keep a grudge.

 

Indy

Now Indy did you read that I said a vet would determine that if there was an issue with calcium levels?

 

I got that notion from my sister Margaret who raised CAG's for over 40 years and Jean Pattison both finding that some issues were caused by a calcium deficiency...  so it is not a myth and like all vitamins and supplements THEY SHOULD BE PRESCRIBED when needed.

 

I am one who believes in bathing but then again our weather permits soakings... I believe my birds to be in excellent feather including the CAG.

Etta  I didn't mean anything about it.  I just get gabby about calcium and tests cause I did so many.  Poor Allie had them done constantly.  I get scared when people just suppliment with calcium.  Not food.  You aren't going to overdose on calcium in food.  Its the suppliments.  You can do bad damage to their kidneys. 

 

Allie didn't have calcium tested just once a year like some people get done.  Some don't even do it once a year.  Allies testing was done on a regular basis cause of calcium suppliments. 

 

I think birds need bathed too regularly but when you have a CAG that is usually lovable and when you bath it would rather take your hand off for the next wk or so you kinda rethink that idea. lol! Like I said she was perfect feathered too.

 

Okay Etta do you forgive me?  I forget half the time what I read by the time I go to post.  Sorry!

 

Indy

Oh sweet girlfriend... you know no need to even ask...

 

and yes I would rethink the bathing too.... Ms Di loves the natural showers and the preening and prancing is adorable.... she looks as if she's in heaven...

 

I would think that being north and colder weather that a higher humidity would play a part in keeping them more comfortable...

what do you think and is it necessary to their well being? including feeling less itchy when the humidity is higher?

 

 

..Maynard now

 

Oh gosh, what a difference

Thanks for all your replys. My Echo is healthy and I love him so much. Even without his feathers lol

He has never eaten seeds. He is on a pellet diet. He's so fussy though, I can't get him to eat fresh veggies. I keep trying though. I made him mash with mixed veggies and brown rice, he'll eat some of that.  In the evening, when I have him out on his stand, his treat is walnuts, he loves those.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Jen, could you possibly share your mash with us again.  I know you've done it more than once, but I lost my copy.  I know there are many variations of mash, but yours sounded good and fairly simple.  I think you, and someone else, posted pics of your mash.  Both were great.  My birds have gotten to where they prefer a mash-type dinner, but I can always use new ideas.

Barb

Echo3--it's possible that your bird has a sensitivity to something in the pellets he's eating.  The dyes and/or other chemicals in them have caused allergic reactions in some birds.

 

Having had a dog with allergies to most dog foods, I've spent many years watching an animal suffer with allergic skin reactions.....it was awful.  And it was actually quite similar to what I think must be driving some of these birds to such feather mutilation.

I missed the rest of this post. Maynard looks fantastic.  It's great you found a combination of things that work.

 

I think Bubba would do so much better if he was in a setup like Etta has.  They are outside in the aviary and can fly. I tried changing foods and he doesn't cooperate like a dog would.  lol!  He'd starve himself first.

 

I've heard where people get another bird and that bird picks that one.  So like Jensbird said you got to keep trying things.  I would say featherpicking is one of the biggest mysteries.

 

Indy

Maynard looks great though!  So glad you gave him a new chance at life.  He is very lucky to have found you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/2 cup dry black-eyed peas
1/2 cup dry pinto beans
1/2 cup dry kidney beans
1/2 cup dry split peas - a mix of green and yellow
1/2 cup dry garbanzo beans
1/2 cup dry black beans
1/2 cup dry soy beans
1 cup dry great northern white beans
1/2 cup dry wheat berry grain
1/2 cup dry pearl barley grain
1 cup dry wild rice
3 medium sweet potatoes
4 medium white potatoes
3 pounds frozen corn
3 pounds frozen peas
3 pounds frozen carrots
3 pounds frozen green beans
1/2 pound fresh parsley
3 medium zucchini
4 large tomatoes
1/2 pound mustard greens
6 large bananas
6 medium apples
4 peeled oranges
1/2 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
1 mango, peeled and pitted
2 papayas, peeled but seeds left
1 1/2 pounds green grapes
1/4 cup dried pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup dry powdered kelp
1/4 cup alfalfa powder

Rinse the beans, grains and rice. Soak overnight (at least 8 hours) in a large pot. In the morning add or remove water as needed to cover beans with about one inch of water. Boil beans for 10 minutes. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes more. By this time there should just be enough water left to keep beans moist. Scrub, quarter and slice potatoes into 1/8 inch pieces. Steam lightly, stirring every few minutes, and add to cooked beans. Add corn, peas, carrots and green beans to bean and potato mixture. This helps cool the mixture and thaw the frozen vegetables. Hand chop or lightly food process the next 11 ingredients (parsley, zucchini, tomatoes, mustard greens, bananas, apples, oranges, cranberries, mango, papayas and grapes). Don't process too finely; birds prefer chunky food. Add the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Freeze in sandwich bags in daily serving portions. Defrost servings in refrigerator for 24 hours. Warm food by placing the bag in warm water.

 

Jen, thank you so much!!  I'm on my way to the store, and can stock up on a few more items for their rather "generic" mash that I usually make.  I think they'll like the extra items.  Yum.....great pic.  I'm glad I have a fresh color cartridge so I can print off the picture right now.

Barb

I thought about eating it myself Jen.  I eat way too much junk, and this is so healthful!

 

Barb