spraying Amazon with dry feathers

[lisark]

Hi all!

My newly adopted Festive Amazon, Charlie, is 44 years old and as far as I know he hasn't ever had a bath. His most recent owners sprayed him a few times but not often.

As you can imagine his feathers don't look the greatest. They appear dry in some spots and dirty/greasy in others. When I give him scritches on the head and neck, my fingers come away coated in dirt.

I have sprayed him with plain water a few times and he doesn't seem to mind as long as the water is coming from above. I will try taking him into the shower spray soon.

My question: I have heard that Aloe Vera juice can be used as a feather conditioner. I have a big bottle of 100% Aloe Vera juice and I was wondering if it might be beneficial for me to mix some of the aloe vera with the water in my spray bottle and mist him once or twice a day with it.

If it would be good, how much aloe vera should I mix with the water?

Is there something else that might help his feathers? His diet will be drastically healthier and more varied here and he has direct sunlight for as much of the day as he wishes (he can move into and out of it in the sunroom where his cage and playstands are located). Also he will be *at the very least* on the shower rod each time any of us showers, so he will be exposed to the humidity as often as possible.

Thanks in advance!

[birdiemommy]

I used aloe juice in a sprayer for a plucked ekkie I was working with. Don't use gel, just the 100% juice that you have. I used about 1/4-1/3 aloe and filled the bottle up the rest with water. I never added aloe to drinking water, but did for the sprayer. I am not sure if it will help get the feathers any cleaner, but can't hurt the skin. I personally don't want to use any of the over the counter sprays for feathers, just keep using the water and aloe.