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Post by ncsherriff on Jan 17, 2012 14:22:22 GMT -5
Hi...I rescued a 20 year old tiel. Sadly, he is loosing weight and his breast bone has no fat on it at all. I have increased his millet thinking that will add more fat to his diet, but it isn't adding any weight. Any suggestions? He eats his regular small seeds, but won't eat sunflowers seed, pellets or any really hard shelled seeds for some reason. His stools are very loose and green. If I don't get more weight on his soon he won't survive much longer. I think he has had a stroke since his right foot doesn't move and he drags it. I have a 2 1/2 year old tiel that shares his cage. They get along fine and doesn't crowd him out of his food.
Any suggestions for getting him to eat more fatty foods would be great!
Thanks...
Christine
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Post by marieandchirpy on Jan 17, 2012 15:30:05 GMT -5
What you have is an elderly Tiel and unfortunately he might not be able to eat regular Cockatiel sized seed. What I am trying to say is you'll have to try giving him smaller feed like parakeet or finch size seed.
Also you are going to have make some changes to the cage to make it more accessible for him. I have some members on my facebook group. I will ask them for some advise.
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Post by marieandchirpy on Jan 17, 2012 16:05:56 GMT -5
someone suggested try giving him mashed potato. Just don't give him instant. They know the difference and will not eat instant. Try giving some room temperature mixed veggies like corn and peas. Another person suggested steam veggies and beans.
Someone suggested that if the bird has been eating small seed for most of it's life, it is not going to change. It could also be due to old age. One of my members has an elderly Cockatiel and had a problem getting the bird to eat regular Cockatiel seed, so they changed the diet to smaller seed.
As for the leg it could also be an old injury. Have you spoken with a Vet about the leg and the loose stool? If you didn't, then you must contact a vet.
How long has the bird been with you?
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Post by ncsherriff on Jan 17, 2012 17:28:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions. I rescued him last May. There are no vets near me that treat birds that I am aware of. Our dog vet couldn't suggest anyone. But, I do take the birds for nail trimming to a bird place near me and was told he probably had a stroke and suggested more millet to put on the weight. I even put in the food dish some whole wheat cereal today and he really went for that! You are right he is an old bird; I am just glad to know I have been giving him a better life than he had previously. I'll get some parakeet seed. Thanks again for your help!
Christine (& BigBoy)
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Post by marieandchirpy on Jan 17, 2012 17:55:37 GMT -5
Ask the bird place if they know of any vets. Be careful of cereals as they are high vitamins and minerals. Someone suggested steal cut oat and steal cut rice is good for birds. They can be found here: www.mysafebirdstore.com/product.cgi?group=821&product=1568Someone else said they can be found in the grocery store as Irish oats. |
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Post by ncsherriff on Jan 17, 2012 19:46:15 GMT -5
Irish Oats...I have some! Will try that. Yes, will talk to the bird place...they must know of a bird vet.
Thanks again!
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Post by marieandchirpy on Jan 17, 2012 21:41:57 GMT -5
You're welcome.
Please give me an update on how he's doing.
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Post by crazy4tiels88 on Feb 13, 2012 23:29:08 GMT -5
Try sweet potatoe, scrambled eggs, hard boiled eggs maybe some wheat bread. Flax seed some of those may help with weight gain will he eat any soft foods? or take some peanut butter off your finger just a tiny bit? If so you may want to buy some kaytee exact handfeeding formula to get his weight up.
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Post by Mike on Mar 22, 2012 8:08:15 GMT -5
Please go online and goggle "SUNSHINE FACTOR". Ask your vet and if you can hold him, it's giving by suringe on the tonge. If not I mix it with Beekers millet. It helped him through a serious 3 yr old moult.. Good luck and dont give up..
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Post by staci bigfoot on Sept 14, 2012 14:42:45 GMT -5
:)Try cherrios and gerber baby toddler dry cereal.It comes in different flavors.I had a hand fed tiel chick that was underweight,he loved it and gained his weight back.I also offered him dry oat meal.Put it on the bottom of his cage and see if he eats that.If that does not work contact the magnolia bird farm in riverside california,They have a website and phone number.And they give great advise.They also ship product to you if you need it.Good luck to you and your tiel.  |
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Post by lmatiesh on Nov 12, 2013 14:21:52 GMT -5
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