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For New Amazon Owners
I see that the recent posts here are from new amazon owners and I wanted to post this here about amazons.
Amazons tend to suffer from vitamin A deficiency, this manifests itself with serious respiratory and skin problems. It's best to supplement daily with papaya, mango, carrots, or a common favorite, sweet potato (I steam mine) -- these have beta-carotenoids which are precursors to vitamin A. One can cause vitamin A overdose/toxicity by giving vitamin A supplements, but one cannot overdose a bird with beta-carotenoids. You can buy dehydrated fruits (without the sulfur dioxide). Seeds or pellets with vitamin supplements are not enough. This is a small price to pay compared to the pain of having an amazon with chronic sinusitis and foot problems for life. I didn't know this (even my vet didn't know this "back then"), so my bird has lost her papilla in the back of her mouth. I've actually become a believer in red palm oil.
Amazons love showers and benefit from at least weekly showers.
Amazons are prone to obesity and fatty liver disease. So careful with nuts and fatty foods.
Please chime in if you have more to add. I really wanted to mention the problems with vitamin A deficiency because this is a big problem with zons.
Liz
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