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Vet Series: Feather Condition

🕑 Added 2020-01-18 16:00:02 +0000 UTC

Comments

Catrin Griffiths

I guessed the red bellied conure was "Dave" because it was more "touchy feely" when grooming Jamie's hair at the beginning of the video. Looks like I was right lol.

Gale Rhoades

I knew immediately which bird was Dave and which Jamie and both pairs are lovely

Kela

Yes, that makes sense, thank you :)

BirdTricks

I'm not a very physical person so I don't find myself struggling with this issue. But I do think you could give head scratches every day if you're also offering an ideal environment of frequent bathing opportunities, fresh air, sunlight (vitamin D) and so on so that the feathers can constantly refresh themselves. The oils from our hands are not ideal to the feathers though, and nothing "pets" birds in the wild so that's why it creates issues in captivity. They get preened but they don't get stroked/pet like humans try to implement. I think some species are more susceptible than others of just having more sensitive feathers. Does that make sense?

Kela

I've been watching Bean and he is incredibly cuddly. That makes me wonder, how much petting is excessive petting/handling? When should you stop touching your bird to ensure their feathers and skin wont have problems?

Lynn De Pourcq

This was super interesting!

Emma

Hi thanks for the great video as always, just wanted to let u know and confirm that my instagram is @tango_thesunconure

Claire Hennekam

Great ideas! Malcolm got a pak-o-bird backpack for Christmas, but maybe the budgies need their own 😊 Options are limited here on the 22nd floor, but I'll get thinking! 👍

BirdTricks

From what I've learned... full spectrum lighting is only helpful in the first hour the bulb burns and has to be so close to be effective it would burn the bird... so you can use it (I did for 15 years before stopping from no results) but I don't believe it truly does anything. I think a screened in area is ideal for the super small ones. Even taking one on a walk in a carrier that allows sun through, or sitting outdoors with it in a travel carrier.

Claire Hennekam

Fantastic video, thank you! I have the cutest photo of Malcolm, my pineapple conure, sitting on the TV because he wanted to meet Dave and Jamie (both Jamies, lol!) I wonder a lot about feather condition, so this was incredibly helpful. For birds that don't have outdoor aviaries and can't be harness trained (eg. budgies), would a UVB lamp help?

Wendy Cottingham

I guessed right also😂 I love my green cheek they are just fun little birds!!

tzxazrael

Ayy~ i guessed right! lol. Jamie-conure is a cinnamon GCC, and Dave-conure is a crimson belly, yes? What's Dave-conure's feather issue? bad nutrition? or excessive grooming? hmmmm... with your reaction to how cute they are, and if you didn't already have 2 dozen birds (lol exaggerating a bit), i'd almost suspect more conures soon in your future haha