New to Lorikeets

[Sunshinelemonade]

I'm familiar with cockatiels and African Greys (have had Sunshine Lemonade and JJ for years --- though JJ thinks he's a dog, not an African Grey:) but I have a few questions about Simon (who was given to me). He eats white powder nectar and another white powder (it's downstairs and I can't think of the name of it) and drinks water. The poop is SO different from my other birds! Is there anything I can do to make it not smell (the other birds' poop doesn't smell). I'm going to follow all the instructions I've seen tonight (I've printed everything I've seen that I think might help me). I'll try dried papaya and other treats. I'll buy a book if you think it'll help! The bird doesn't squirt poop anywhere -- just the bottom of his cage. From what I've read, I'm thrilled he doesn't squirt!! It's just that the liquid poop has a certain odor. It's not terrible....it just is present. Isn't there anything to place in the bottom of the cage as an odor barrier? All suggestions are welcome!

[Typhoonkin]

O_o i own two loris and while they are both messy little so and so's their poop doesn't smell, i'll leave this one to the experts

[Sunshinelemonade]

OK. so maybe it's not a true "odor" -- maybe it's just a fruit smell (versus the fact that my other birds' poop has NO smell). I think I'll try the layer of plastic and, on top of that, lots of layers of newspaper. I hope Simon doesn't grab through the grate to get to the newspaper --- that would REALLY be a mess!! Then, every morning/night, I'll remove the top layer. Maybe that will help. Sometimes, though, the smell almost reminds me of a cat litter-kind of smell. All this bird eats is white powder and water.

[Typhoonkin]

newpaper and plastics aren't good for birds :( the inks can burn their skin and poison them, and the plastic.. well, as most owners can probably advise, pretty much nothing is indestructible when it comes to a curious lori it would be very sad to hear that he / she chocked or ingested some and got sick :(

[Ashling]

You need to be feeding him on lots of fruit and vegetables as well as his powder, otherwise he will not be getting a full diet. Are you feeding the powder wet as well as dry? The powder can only do so much for nutrition. I have never noticed a smell, maybe you should get him checked by an avian vet to make sure there are no underlying problems in his digestive tract... but otherwise they do have a fruity musky smell to their feathers! Good luck with him and congrats on your new birdy :)

[thejoie]

My Lorikeet's poop does NOT have a smell. It is more runny than other birds but I think it just makes it easier to clean.

Fresh foods are a MUST in a Lorikeet diet. My little girl likes to eat puree foods too. Today I made papaya (this is a GREAT FOOD for them), cantaloupe, pepper, squash, strawberry, apricot, and blackberry puree. I pour it into ice cube trays and freeze it. Thaw in the microwave and serve. It's fast and easy!

I use unscented baby wipes to wipe down my Kiwi's cage daily to manage the poops.

Good luck with your new Lorikeet!