molting and nutrition.

[kittyhazelton]

So, I got my B&G macaw Chica about a month ago.. I believe she started a molt due to the stress of moving to a new home,with the combination of dry air in my house, increased daylight, and other environmental factors. She is definitely growing in new feathers and nearly anywhere I see that seems a little "thin" with feather growth she has new ones coming in. Doesn't appear to be plucking as far as I can tell, but have had some feathers just fall out on occasion while I'm petting her.
I realise that any molting cycle is a stressful time for a bird, and am wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for supplements or specific foods that help with feather growth & can be good for a bird who is molting. Would greatly appreciate it, I just want to make sure her new feathers grow in nice and shiney and healthy. many of her previosly molted feathers had the stress lines throughout them.

[marie83]

I find a good sprouting mix with 1-2 days growth beneficial. Some people say eggfood is another good food to add into the diet a few times a week but it's not one I have any experience with.

Whats your macaws current diet?

[kittyhazelton]

Whats your macaws current diet?

zupreme fuit pellet with fresh mixed veggies and fruits daily, and some seed & nut mix a couple times a week.
also the occasional scraps from my own plate, pasta, poatoes, etc.

[marie83]

Sounds pretty good and varied from what I know. Other people who know more about B&G can hopefully help more. It definitely sounds like she already has a really good base diet, as to if there's anything that can be improved I'm not sure.

I do like to feed sprouted seeds myself as it provides natural enzymes which are generally not found in the pelleted foods as the process used to make the pellets destroys them. They also have a higher protein content than ordinary dry seeds which help with growth and repair so that should help Chica with the moulting process. Thats just my personal opinion from the bits and bobs I've come across, I haven't looked at it in any depth, just picked the bits that made the most sense to me.

[laducockatiel]

Kale, it's awesome for feather growth and birds love it!

[Shelby]

zupreme fuit pellet with fresh mixed veggies and fruits daily, and some seed & nut mix a couple times a week.
also the occasional scraps from my own plate, pasta, poatoes, etc.

Zupreem pellets are nasty. The coloring in them literally makes the poop change color. There's chemical additives in them and organic pellets are better. I've heard great things about Harrison's and Totally Organics - they're both organic and have no colorings.

If you want to give her a little something extra because she's molting, you could try making a scrambled egg with the mashed-up shell. I wouldn't do it too regularly, but a little bit once every month or so won't hurt. Lots of birds I know love scrambled egg. My best friend's cockatiel goes CRAZY for scrambled egg with green beans, diced carrots, peas and egg shell mixed into it.

[Bobioden]

I agree, Zupreem Fruit Pellets should NEVER be used as any type of food option for a bird.

[pennyandrocky]

how do you give him scraps from your plate?human saliva is not good for birds. my birds have what we have but i fix their bowels first.

[gabbagabbawill]

Zupreem pellets are not THAT bad. They are much better than the kay-tee brands and the like.

[rebeccaturpeinen]

I agree that Zupreem arent that bad. I know an avian vet that sais they are fine, I trust him. My birds poop has never changed colour!! I know some brands are healthier, you can basicly always find something healthier. My birds dont eat Zupreem anymore but if that was all I could find I would have no problam feeding them that.

And she sais scraps from her PLATE not from her MOUTH. So unless she is spitting on her plate...

My Joey is going through a terrible molt right now and my vet recommended eggs with the shell and baths help too