Which pellets???

[jimpierce7]

Originally Posted by debelm2

I am going to have to look for them too. I haven't even heard of these brands. Does this mean Kaytee exact oringinal pellets is out?????????? I buy it in the 40 lb. bag for Mickey and put it in big plastic buckets to keep better, so I don't have the bag for the list of ingredients. Well back to more research!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks everyone.

Sophie was weened onto Kaytee Exact. If your bird likes it and doesn't have sensitivities to it it should be fine. Of course lots of veggies and fruits are needed but many Ekkies don't have the alergies and sensitivities to pellets that some do.

[debelm2]

Oh that would be great. It would be alot easier if they were both on the same kind. I buy it in a 40 lb. bag and it is sooooo much cheaper. I thought I was out a few months ago and ordered another 40lbs and then found a whole bucket that I missed. Mickey (B&G) has been on kaytee all her life and she looks great. Her feathers are beautiful and she ins't too fat or too thin. I think it has been great for her. She has only been sick once in her life and she is 18 now. I like to think that it is because of her diet but probably just luck! :) Do you know if kaytee has the ingredients "spirulina, coloring, & fortified with vitamins" that the previous post suggested staying away from. Again, I don't have the bag to check the ingredients. I don't even know what "spirulina" is. Will have to google that. How long does it take for signs of alergies or sensitivities to show in a baby? I have never even seen toe-tapping so I hope it is something quite obvious. Thanks for all your help.

[debelm2]

Hi Dawn,
I didn't necessarily mean right now for the list. I just meant while they were still very young. I agree with the smell though. My husband said Tonka stinks!!! :( But a wipe down seems to help and now that he is in his cage with more air and space it is alot better. It was mostly when he was in his box with cover that I carried him in to take him to work etc. Fresh air does wonders!!! :) Warm spring air will be even better!!!!!!

[hugs28]

I hear ya that is what I am hoping for too. I am still waiting for my husband to bring my cage up from the garage so I can clean it and put pogo in it lol

[pbinva]

Hey guys - If you have a heat lamp or a good way to keep them warm either towel - I'd mist them to get them used to it. You could prob. do light misting - Peeka hated the spray bottle and it just stressed him out so he went into the misty shower but he was already 7 mo. when that happened. He still gets really chilled after his showers so i wrap him in a towel (the best he will let me-he really does not like towels at all-but he will let me hold a lg. bath towel around him with his head out for just a few mins. to get the extra water off of him) I wish I had gotten him used to towels much earlier - just in case that is needed for trims etc. One other thing I have noticed is that Peeka holds a grudge - if he was pissed off for some reason esp. nail trims - he will literally turn his back on me for a couple of days! I would think the more you can get them used to being touched and hands the better off you all will be in the long run. I am at the point now where I wouldn't dare try to trim or even file his nails - I'll let the vet be the bad guy!

As far as pellets go - if they will eat them and there aren't any colorings or extra stuff (vitamins etc.) in them - I would let ekkies eat them. As long as most of their food is fresh veggies and fruits and proteins - they should be great!

I would love to see pics of Pogo!!! Hint Hint.......jk!

[hugs28]

I have posted pics of him lol. I just took these pics....Enjoy

[debelm2]

I did'nt even think of the towel!!! That is definitely something I want him to get use to. Maybe even make a little game of it and wrap him up and play "peek a boo" or something. Thanks. I think the turning his back on you is really cute. I guess he's telling you what he thinks of that!!!!! I can't wait to see what little things Tonka does as he matures. I had been told about the misting on another sight when I asked if he was to young but they recommended a really fine mist and I haven't gotten in to get that type of spray bottle yet. But now that he is older and almost completely feathered I think pretty soon I could use a regular spray bottle. I use the hair dryer on Mickey when she gets wet and she loves it so I plan on getting Tonka use to that too. Thanks so much for the advice.

[pbinva]

Just be careful with the blow dryer on Tonka - given the ekkies have oil and not dust on the feathers - they tend to dry out skinwise much quicker - I was warned against using a blow dryer on Peeka - however I have blown him from across the bathroom when it was really cold or if it was too close to bedtime!

Pogo is sure a cutie!!! I am sorry I must have missed the previous pics - thanks for update!!! ;)

[hugs28]

thats ok ;) I like showing him off

[Amie]

We use a blowdryer on the warm setting on low, and just to get the "soak" out of the feathers. My Scarlett likes to dry in the bathroom in all the humidity and heat after a shower. She takes a little nap on her shower perch.

I have one thing to add to your list. Get your baby used to travel carriers, or whatever you plan to use in the case of a vet visit, emergency, or evacuation. You never know when something crazy is going to happen and you end up on the interstate for 23 hours just to get to the next city!! (just a tiny bit of personal experience there!!!) After the two evacuations for Katrina (we evacuated to Beaumont the first time, so a month later, we had to evacuate again for Rita!) Scarlett started plucking again. We're just getting a handle on it now!