Lory Powder & Gluten

[FoxersArtist]

Hi there!
I have a wonderful little red lory named Orbit and have been feeding him lory life powder plus some fruits for years. Recently I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, a sever intolerance to gluten. Gluten is found in every commercial lory powder or nectar that I have been able to find and feeding my bird and/or cuddling with him has started making me really sick. He likes to give me enthusiastic gluten filled kisses. Do you know of any powder that does not contain gluten (wheat, barley, rye, spelt, or oats)? If not, I have been considering putting my lory on an all fruit and veggie diet but am concerned that he will not be getting the nutrition he needs. I know some about lories but have always been afraid of trying new foods. What fresh foods could I feed that would suffice as a balanced diet? I really want to avoid vitamin supplements. Thanks!
-Anna

[Ashling]

I'm so sorry, that must be really hard for you! If it's possible to buy and grow your own Australian native plants (Grevilleas, bottlebrush etc) for him, that would help as it's their main diet in the wild. I'm guessing this would be easier on your intolerance than what is in the lorry powder, as it's natural? I wouldn't know.
The native flowers as well as lots of different fruits, vegetables, berries, some meat for protein and some insects (eg.mealy worms) can be blended all together to make your own lory mash. The added bonus is that you know exactly what you're feeding your birdy! I'm pretty sure there's a site that has the information about how much sugar, protein, fat content etc should be included in a lory diet, but I can't remember it sorry! (google search?) I'll check my lory book when I get home. You probably will need to add some supplements and/ or vitamins, but that's fine because the lory powders have these anyway! People have raised lorries on worse diets than only fruit (sometimes ridiculous diets like milk malt and bread) but those birds slowly die.
The other alternative is to train your lory either NOT EVER to kiss, or to kiss an area that doesn't make you sick (fingers?) then wash right after. Use gloves when you feed him and wash thoroughly afterwards. If you're able to change to accomodate Orbit's diet, that would be better than changing it to something he's not used to. If you must, make it gradual and if there are any negative effects put him back on his original diet. I'll check my lory book when I get home and see if it has any more information. For now, try to gather the biggest list you can of healthy fruits and vegtetables, meats, berries and insects you can feed him!

[PenelopeGem]

Are you ingesting the lory powder, somehow? Or, do you only have to touch it, in order to become ill?

[FoxersArtist]

contamination can happen any number of ways. All it takes is for me to touch the powder and I can have a reaction. It's kind of like a peanut allergy, only with wheat. I have been having the most trouble with scooping the food out, scrubbing the cage bars and with handling Orbit because he is so darn lovey and wants to rub all over me (and who could blame a happy parrot?) I don't know if your lories do this but Orbit likes to fling his powder everywhere and he ends up covered in it, so touching his feathers becomes a concern. As of right now, giving him up is not an option, so I'm just exploring different ways to keep him gluten-free. Thanks.
-Anna