How to get a dirty bird white again?

[SisterBlue]

Here's a question for all of you who are owned by white birds...

We added a Goffin Cockatoo to our flock over the weekend. He came from a large local breeder/exotic bird store - followed my husband around the store and definitely "picked" him. The problem is that because he was allowed to climb all over the store, his surface feathers are very dingy and dirty, almost gray instead of white.

We gave him a shower in the sink last night (he decided after about 10 seconds of panic that showers are actually pretty cool, and he LOVED the blow dryer!) but water alone isn't getting the dirt off.

Any suggestions for getting this little clown white again, or do we just have to wait for all of the dirty feathers to molt out?

-SB

[Nehocmom]

Here are two shampoos I have used to clean our U2.

mango shampoo
Kings Cages International LLC Online Shop (powered by Kings Cages)

[SisterBlue]

Thanks so much for the info!! <runs off to check out the links...>

-SB

[SisterBlue]

I just ordered some of the mango shampoo...can't wait for him to stop looking like a little train wreck. :)

Thanks!

-SB

[Tom Lawless]

I can't speak for everyone out here but I'd love to see a picture of 'the little train wreck'. They're a beautiful bird.

[SisterBlue]

Here's a couple of photos of Remy on the day we got him. :) You can't quite see how dirty he is in the photos, but he's already looking better, just being in a clean environment for a few days.





Tom Lawless, I enjoy reading about Davey. We have a deposit on a Hahns chick...they hatched in mid-May so he'll come home hopefully sometime in August. We visited them at the breeder for the first time on Sunday. Here's a photo of 2 of the 3 chicks:



-SB

[Tom Lawless]

That Remy is a beautiful bird. Thanks for the pictures. I wish I had pictures of when Davey was just a little guy. If your experience is anything like mine you will find that your Hahns lives in a fantasy world where he is as big as Remy. Davey believes he is a big boy. I bet you can't wait until August. Davey actually weaned pretty quick. He was born on September 9th and he was home with me the week before Thanksgiving.

[EngTeach]

I use Ivory bar soap (the original) when my Goffin is extremely dirty. I wet Meme down, get a good lather going in my hands, and then gently wash her, then rinse well. When I got her she was covered in newspaper print ink because she like to roll herself up in it. She was stained terribly. After washing her weekly for about 4 weeks with the Ivory, she was much, much cleaner. Ivory was recommended to me by my avian vet, she said it had to be Ivory bar soap only, not knock-off brands.

[maddiemytoo]

wow I love those pic. I just got my goffins too 2 wks ago. I love her . She is so sweet and wants my attention evenings. . I don't know how to get pics on board,but want to learn. This is great board as I have learned a lot about toos. Thanks for ivory tip. I didn't know it was still around. I am from Ohio land of Buckeyes. Thanks to all keep up the good work