Underweight Macaw

[Chariclo]

Could someone please help! I recently purchased a female Catalina Macaw - 6 months old. She is incredibly cuddly, and happy most of the time, with great socialization. she goes to work with me everyday, and allows almost everyone to pet or hold her.

My concern is, however, her weight. My avian vet said that she is about a pound too small. I did know she was a little slim, as you can feel her breast bone, but I attributed that to the fact that she had a rough start in life, and was nursed back to health when she was weeks old. The breeder said they almost lost her.

She has some handfed "hang-ups". She doesn't seem to have great dexterity when it comes to handling fruits and veggies. And she's not the best climber either - but these are all things we're working on.

She gets oatmeal at bedtime, and mashed bananas in the afternoon - and she does eat lots of seeds. All vet tests were good.

How can I get her to pump up? Or am I just a neurotic new mother?


Chariclo

[The Outlaw]

What is her weight? A six month old hybrid would usually be expected to be larger than either of her parents. I would expect numbers in excess of 800 grams. Usually, birds are weighed in grams, not ounces for its more accurate. Even though she is older, I think she needs to be handfed at least 3 times a day if she will let you. Sounds to me like she's just not eating enough on her own. Also, you might want to place an order with Avitech for some Instant Ounces. Its a powder you add to the formula or mashed foods when you handfeed. Go to www.avitec.com.

I have one of my baby BGs that also had some setbacks when he was about 16 weeks old. As a result, it took him a long time to catch up with the other birds here. I think I've read that they do the bulk of their growing in the first 5 months. However, I'm not a breeder and must rely on what my breeder friends have told me and what I have here in my avian medical books.

I just checked one of Sailor's old weight charts and at almost 6 months old, he weighed in at 880 grams. He was thin at that weight. Remember, however, that young birds, especially just before they fledge (learn to fly) can drop some significant weight.

I would keep in close touch with the breeder, however. It is possible the whole clutch has had problems. If that's the case, you need to know. Good luck. I love BGs more than any other parrot. I have 4 in addition to 6 other birds and they are why I love getting out of bed in the morning.

THE OUTLAW

[Chariclo]

Thank you for your help. Maia weighed in at 800 grams. She is already flying - pretty well actually. I have not had her clipped yet to help her build up strength. I agree with the handfeeding 3x a day idea. She seems to cry quite a bit in the morning - I've found that Crazy Corn seems to soothe her. I also am feeding warm oatmeal and wheat germ at bedtime. And for a treat heated up mashed bananas too.

I was afraid that I would make her to reliant on me and have her go backwards in her eating development. I suppose though I'm going to have her for the rest of my life so it's best to let her go at her own pace and feel comfortable. The main thing right now is for her to be healthy.

I plan on tyring your ideas too. Thanks so much!

[Chariclo]

Update...

On Saturday Maia weighed in at 850 - that's up 50gm from same date last month! :D

I feel a lot better knowing that she is benefitting from all of the time I've spent concocting her menu every day. Some of her favorite things are Calypso Spice-BeakApetit, and Crazy Corn - she seems to gobble them down quick. And she loves 15 bean soup-just the beans. At bedtime she still gets oatmeal and bananas, but that's the only spoon feeding she gets - I had to put my foot down or she was going to take control and only eat by way of spoon. Now she knows it's just a bedtime thing. And blueberries! I think I am going to have to start my own farm!

Anyway - just thought I would let you know she's doing great - and thanks for your help!

[The Outlaw]

I'm so relieved! You have no idea how pesonally involved I get with young underweight birds. So many crash and burn from the ignorance of owners not prepared to intervene.

May I also suggest you add this to the the dinner rotation. Its a hit around here and will beef them up pretty fast. Additionally, the sweet potato will do the feathers a world of good:

Boil, bake or nuke on large sweet potato or yam until fork tender
Remove skin and mash. Add the juice of one fresh orange (no prepackaged junk, please) and one TBs of peanut butter. Serve warm off of a spoon at first. Once she gets to liking it, you can simply put it in her bowl.

This can be messy, so be prepared to clean walls if she decides to play food fling.

I sometimes scoop this into little balls and roll it in crushed cereal as a treat.

THE OUTLAW

[Chariclo]

Sweet potato is a staple around here- but I've never tried the orange juice added. I'm going to have to try it tomorrow. She also loves squash of any kind.

Do your birds eat bok choy?

[The Outlaw]

I haven't offered it to them. I do feed mustard greens, kale, collards, swiss chard, dandelion greens, brussel sprouts and broccoli. That's how I cover the dark green veggies.

THE OUTLAW

[Joel]

Nancy,

Are all the greens you mentioned fed raw or are any of them cooked & the birds preferences please?........... T.I.A.

[The Outlaw]

I actually offer them in all kinds of ways. I make birdie burritos with kale leaves. I fill them with bean mix, a little grated cheddar and homemade salsa. I also steam collards and mustard greens and chop them up and add them to whatever other things I'm cooking. My birds really surprised me when they all liked steam brussel sprouts. I put them on skewers and did a shish kabob with sweet potatoes and chunks of beef. They will eat broccoli raw, steamed or cooked in omelets. I have large stainless steel treat cages and I layer leaves of any of the above greens, flour tortillas, chunks of apples, bananas, oranges, mellons and simply alternate layers like a lasagna. I sometimes hang whole ears of steamed or boiled corn on the cob from metal skewers inside the cages.

My birds like lots of variety in both presentation and the way I cook everything. I buy every conceivable kind of pepper, from all of the colored bells to the hottest scotch bonnets. I put them in all egg dishes and most bean dishes.

I also save the seeds from peppers and melons and serve them as well. They especially like honey dew. My food bill is pretty high and there can be a lot of waste, so I buy fruits and veggies in season and also dehydrate things in the summer months when the gardens start over producing.

THE OUTLAW

[The Outlaw]

Forgot to mention: collect fresh, washed dandelion greens from UNTREATED lawns now. You can serve them fresh or dehydrate them and add them to foods later. They are very high in vitamins and minerals and are FREE!

THE OUTLAW