Tiki loves food...a lot

[GreenWing]

I am sure I need to be careful because Tiki loves food. She'll eat anything I give to her... carrots, mangoes, berries, bread, etc., all organic of course She begs for food, too.

I've read that Senegal Parrots are prone to obesity. How can I prevent her from getting fat? Her feet might already be showing signs.

[marie83]

Are you sure her feet aren't swollen not fat? Birds feet don't tend to carry much fat.

To prevent a bird becoming fat you need to find out their normal weight range and what is a normal weight for your bird. This means you need to weigh your bird, preferably daily and as soon as they have had their big morning poop and before they have eaten anything. Then you need to weigh everything you normally feed her, if she is overweight you need to gradually reduce the amount you feed her over a few weeks until you get to a weight that is healthy for her and keeps her stable at that weight. It's really important to weigh both the food and the bird, guessing just doesn't work, its too hard to be anywhere near accurate.
Remember even a small amount of weightloss it alot to a bird cuz they are small and the weighing is a good idea anyway as it can give you an early warning about her health.

[liz]

I see your bird is not flighted. Flying is a great exersize and calorie burner. Myrtle is a non stop eater but also an all day flier.

[GreenWing]

Thanks to you both for your quick responses, and thanks for the great info and tips, Marie!

I think I'm just surprised at how much Tiki loves to eat! They are like labradors in that respect! Lol

Tiki is not yet flighted; her wings were clipped when she was at the shop. The avian vet also recommended to flight her at it would increase her life span. So she will be flighted... once her wings grow in.

I imagine Tiki being like Myrtle... loving food and flight!