Letter
Hi there, I have 2 questions for you if you would mind helping out:
1) What, besides cheery wood, trees can caged bird NOT have?
My Cockatiels & Goffin like to get in the Elm & Willow branches & leaves
I cut for them. I am about to plant some more trees but don't want to
plant anything that the birds can get into.
Both my Goffin & male 'tiel seems to eat quite a bit. They all have a
clean bill of health from our wonderful vet. But both of these males
seem a little big to me. Is it better to be a little over weight that a
little under? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Reply
Hi there, I have 2 questions for you if you would mind helping out:
No problem!
I'm not sure about the wood. I think most fruit trees are to be avoided though. I know orange
is okay.
Weight can usually be told by feeling the breast muscles. You kinda have to know what to feel
for though. The muscles should be plump but not extending past the keel. If you're birds are
on a good diet you shouldn't have to worry. Species prone to obesity and fatty tumors are
amazons, budgies and rose-breasted cockatoos. A good investment would be a gram scale. This
will not only let you know if your bird is getting fat but it will give you a good "healthy"
weight to refer to if your bird gets sick. Weighing once a month is a good idea.
I'm sure there are plenty of lists out there on the internet (check the other message boards at
upatsix.com, I think someone recently posted a link).
Overweight usually means a fatty diet or not enough exercise while underweight is usually an
indication of illness. So obesity is easier to correct.
2) How can you tell when a bird is obese?
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