QWERTY_ Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Help I think our african grey Rio is starting to mutilate himself. He started to nibble his feathers and now looks like this. Is this depression related mutilation or nutrient deficiency. He also stopped eating all vegetables we give him he just drops them. Before he would fly to us if he sees us peeling potato and eat it all. Would also eat bananas grenadines carrots pretty much any fruit and veg we would give him. Mid summer he stopped eating them we just thought it was a phase. He also became verry uninterested with anything we try and do with him Nothing changed except Corona lockdown thst now is over but he still is like that. What can we do to encourage him to bw interested in toys and other things? HELP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Oh no! The first thing I'd do is have a Rio thoroughly checked out by an avian vet to eliminate a physical cause. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QWERTY_ Posted September 14, 2020 Author Share Posted September 14, 2020 Unfortunately we have NO avian vet arround. Literaly nothing within 60 miles radius. thats why im here poking for anything that can help him 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greytness Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 Frankly if there's an avian vet 60 miles away I'd make the trip. 60 miles really isn't that far. Rio could have an infection that needs treating. Something could be causing him to be very uncomfortable. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 My avian vet is 98 miles from my home. Wish they were more common, but in rural areas they certainly aren't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoow Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 Oh poor Rio :( Grey's are really empathetic, so all the stress and uncertainty of this year would undoubtedly have rubbed off on him. Not saying it's the cause of the feather butchering, but it could be one of many factors. It could be hormones, stress, diet or illness related. I can only echo what others have said- if it was Alfie in this situation then the first thing I would do is contact an avian vet to rule out any illnesses/infection. It's always worth reviewing any changes that have happened in Rio's life/environment recently or around the time his behaviours started changing... no matter how small they may be. Grey's can be quite change adverse. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QWERTY_ Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 Got him to the VET :) Emotionally vet says he's all good happy birdie. Recommended some nutritious food, uv lamp and gave me some drops to rule out mites... drops seems to help he's got down feathers growing on spots after applying drops so fingers crossed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QWERTY_ Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 Any Light Experts here need advice? Been told by vet that we need to get our Rio some UV lights, been looking around and found some GROW lights :D seem to be a cheaper alternative if it suits, my question is would that work for a parrot or is that not the same thing. Omega CFL 300W Bulb Euro Shade Reflector Grow Light Kit Hydroponics Literally half price and from what I understand kind of same thing? if not stronger? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greytness Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 (edited) Not sure where you live, but My Safe Bird Store carries lights that are approved for avian use. There are a lot of reptile light systems out there which are to be avoided. Just curious if the vet ran a blood panel to rule out the possibility of infections, etc. Any cultures taken? Edited September 21, 2020 by Greytness 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 I am not a lighting expert and am curious about your question myself. I will say though that I've been using the avian sun light for 7 years with no problems and it seems to do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QWERTY_ Posted September 22, 2020 Author Share Posted September 22, 2020 Noblods taken first step is nutrition and flees/mites as i work as a tree surgeon its a possibility 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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