An old bird

[galeriagila]

Patagonians have little pink "cockatiel" feet...
The Rickeybird's feet are still pretty smooth and in good condition, but I can definitely say they're wrinkled-ier these days.

[Georges mom]

Good to know and thanks for the answers everyone. I think George's feet are a little extra scaley but his nails are in good shape and none are missing. He is very pigeon toed when he walks though. He likes when I scratch his feet with my nails and he's a little obsessed with always cleaning them.. He hasn't been bathing as much lately and I don't know why so I was going to try a little spray mister bottle and see if he likes it. He seems to be preening a lot more too and I'm wondering if he's molting or something. He hates hates hates his flax seed oil and won't touch anything that I try to put it in. I've tried disguising it a 100 times in his favorite foods but he still won't touch it. I even leave the room so he doesn't see me use the bottle. I'm at a loss with that. Vet said he needs 6 drops a day but it's not happening. We nap here too around 130 or so for about an hour. George buries his head under his wing on his back feathers for a good snooze. With the hot weather coming everyone will be over and in the pool for the summer so I got George a portable stand that I can put by the sliders so he can watch us and not feel left out. It also will keep him from biting everyone's feet as they are in and out lol. Oh the things we do for love!!

[galeriagila]

Dear George'sMom,

You're wonderful.

More pool involvement, less toe-assaulting! All good!

Patagonian Hugzszszszszs!

[liz]

George's mom, Rambo has the same problem with his feet. The vet told me to use red palm oil but he won't eat anything that has it added. I have been putting it on his feet. It keeps his skin moist. Hopefully he is ingesting some of it when he picks his feet. The difference is that Rambo does not want his feet touched and he makes so much commotion that all the animals come running to see what I am doing to him.

[Wolf]

I am not using flax seed oil, but I got whole flax seed that I run through the blender which reduces it to a powder and I mix that in with their gloop and then add a touch of cinnamon to it.

[Pajarita]

I don't even grind the flax seeds, I just add them to the gloop and, because they are so tiny and the gloop has so much moisture, they stick to everything (especially the sweet potato chunks) and they get eaten without a problem. I don't use any oils on or for my birds - the only exception is extra virgin olive oil that they get drizzled on the little potatoes when they get them as the veggie of the day.

Gail, I had a 30 year old Nanday conure and her feet looked the same as the younger conures so I think that the 'gnarly' thing is more for the larger species.

[galeriagila]

That makes sense, Pajarita...

Also, recalling that the RB is from arid, harsh lands... I really do agree with you that he's more comfy in our indoors environments. That's probably also why he loves the blowdryer after baths!

[Pajarita]

Well, regardless of where he comes from, I would not use a blow dryer on any bird but, if you put it at the cold setting, I guess it's OK.

[galeriagila]

I put it on low and hold it at arm's length while he sits on my shoulder, dripping wet. He moves as close as he likes, usually about halfway. Ooooooh, I hope it's not bad for him. I found out he liked it (I THINK) back in school when I'd be drying my own hair. OMG, 30 years. I just made myself feel old.

[Wolf]

As long as it does not get to hot then you should be fine. I do not use a hair dryer even for myself, but there are really a lot of people that use these blow dryers for their bird and they all report how much their birds seem to enjoy them.