Are there any bird people here?

Question

I have a half moon conure!

When I first got my bird he was sort of sickly looking, but I took a liking to him right away. I felt that he really needed someone who would treat him well, and take really good care of him, in his life. I'm always drawn to the ones that no one else seems to want. My bird seems to wheeze a lot; I'm really not quite sure what it could be other than what I have read up about birds and the fact that it could very well be a respiratory problem, or lung mites? Last time I took him to the vet and mentioned the wheezing, the vet told me he was healthy. There really aren't any other 'bird specialist' vets around here. Any ideas? Another thing that REALLY concerns and worries me is the fact that he is so skinny, I mean his breastbone seems to be poking out; I know birds are fragile, but this seems rather extreme. He's well fed, so I'm wondering if he has some kind of disease, or if there is something I can do to help him gain weight. Is this normal?!

Please help. Thank you so much!

Thank you all very much! Currently he is on a pellet diet, and has been since I got him. I do feed him bird snacks (which he doesn't care for whatsoever,) or food from my plate; e.g. bread, pasta, fruits, veggies, etc. Might I add that the foods I share with him are never heavily seasoned, if seasoned at all.

Answer 1

You need to know that ALL conures have a blood clotting disorder. This can be combatted by it's diet. Seeds are NOT a proper diet and you need to feed your conure a proper diet. This I mean providing your bird dark green leafy veggies high in vitamin K.

No vet can just look at your bird and say "it's healthy" unless blood work is drawn. You are right on key with this to suspect your bird is not doing well. Although the breast bone should be prominent, but not too prominent. You don't want the breast muscle to stand out as if the bird has two boobs either. If it does, that would be an over weight bird and then you would have other problems to deal with.

First thing you have to look at is what your birds diet consists of. Then why the bird is not gaining the weight. Is the bird very active and just burning off what it eats? Many things factor in here! Where did you purchase the bird?

Feel free to email to help solve your problem and get your bird back on the right track.

Answer 2

There are many diseases and conditions which could be at the root of your problem.
Most importantly you must find a true Avian Vet who is willing and able to do the needed lab work, as humor4fms told you.

With that being said, I may have a lead on your problem. Birds are subject to worm infestations. These infestations often show up as loss of weight.
In additions, some worms attack the respiratory system, such as gape worms. This often leads to a wheezing or harsh sound during breathing.
There are commercial wormers for poultry that can be found in farm supply stores, such as Ivomectin . You should not attempt this treatment unless you are sure your bird's life is in danger and that you absolutely cannot get the bird to a Qualified Avian Vet!! I cannot stress this too strongly!
IF you must try to medicate the bird yourself, try asking the people at the farm store for help. Also try to get a medication with a contact number or website. They should be able to help! Research the problem and the medication completely before you attempt anything!
Be sure you know the weight of your bird. This will be needed to figure dosage.

Feel free to E-mail me if you have questions.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I can't help with the weezing really a trained avian vet is the only one to give to advice or medication for that, but thngs to feed and fill up your bird that are healthy that I can advise you on. With any pet bird you want to be giving them a mixed diet of fruit veggies grain pellet and seed it may take some time and experamenting to see what your bird likes.

Try cooked rice oats (plain oatmeal) pasta in diffrent forms , whole grain is really good and my bird loves it to death. Also try diffrent fruits like apples cut up in chucks, peeled oranges, pinapple and don't forget vegitables. My first bird could not get enough carrots the little ones put between the bars of her cage were a healthy favorite. Brocoili heads are nice as are cooked potato green pepper Kale and Romain lettice (stay away from iceburge it has no nutritional value and is watery which will make them poop more).

Some times you will have to find diffrent ways of getting your bird to try the new foods you give them and just putting them in the food dish alone will not work. My current bird pepper will not try anything I do not try first so if he is on my shold and I eat a peice of apple he will try a peice of apple and soon he knows that food by sight and smell and doesn't wait for me to eat it he just digs in. Some times just putting diffrent foods in a small seperate dish next to his food is a great trick OR if your bird likes to chew toys try stringing up cut peices of diffrent veggies and fruit and hang it in their cage and make it like a toy.

In the mean time if you do not already have him on a pellet diet (birds can not eat seed alone) and he is taking a while to get into trying his new foods I suggest vitemins. Use this brand called UltraVite (8 in 1 product) It is cheep and you only need to add a few drops to the food and water and it makes sure that they are getting some of the required vitamins they need to stay strong and healthy, though nothing will take the place of a good balanced diet. Just stay with it and I am sure he'll be be doing much better.

Answer 4

No, it relatively is a parasitical birds egg. Cuckoos try this. Cowbirds try this, nevertheless they unload the unique eggs. A parasitical chicken lays eggs in yet another kind birds nest and the the chicken who's nest it extremely is will boost the parasites youthful. some species will wait till hatching to offload the unique eggs, or kill the unique nestlings,. pass to appropriate ten and ask chicken lady for an id of the egg. i think of Indigo is sweet. I in basic terms have been given an id at " Cow chicken egg " in my handle bar and it appears like a tournament. This seems a version on commonplace Cow chicken dumping habit, nevertheless.

Answer 5

Any bird with wheezing and weight problems is not normal. I would take the bird back to the vet, or another.Insist you are not happy being told he is fine, ask for tests to be done on your bird.

Answer 6

My best friend is one of the worlds greatest aviculturists. I've photographed many species of birds in my life and know a little about many of them. What do you want to know about your conure?

Answer 7

I've owned Nanday Conures, Cockateils, Parakeets & Lovebirds.
Whats your question?

Answer 8

I have chickens. they are really sweet. they crow and strut. One of my roosters lays in my arms like a baby. He is a red star rooster.

Answer 9

No, none that I can see so far.

Answer 10

im a bird person ??? wat seems to be the problem???