quaker parrot's keel bone

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quaker parrot's keel bone

by Lorna
(Bonne Terre Mo)

Hello i have a 8 month to a 1 year old quaker parrot that i bought a few months ago.My question is are you suppose to be able to feel their keel bone?Why i ask is becouse i can feel my quaker parrot's keel bone but he seems to have good muscle on either side ofthe keel bone.Is he to thin and if so what foods will help him gain wieght?

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quaker parrot's keel bone

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Jun 05, 2011

Feeling a Quaker parrot's keel
by: The Avian Vet

You should be able to feel the edge of the keel, but not the sides. Beside of the keel on each side should be muscle tissue. It is a good idea to get a gram scale and monitor his weight. He should also be examined by an avian veterinarian annually for check ups and vaccines. The veterinarian should also weigh your bird. Keeping a log of his weight is a good reference for times when you are worried that he may have lost weight. Establish his high and low weights. A loss of 10 grams over any time, or three days in a row of any amount of weight loss are two situations to be concerned about.
Dr B

Jun 05, 2011

Yes
by: Anonymous

Yes you can feel their keel bone. It will either feel like a 'V' shape or a 'U' shape. If it feels like a 'V' shape (sharp point at the bottom then your bird is underweight & needs to be seen by an avian vet asap.

If it is 'U' shape it's most likely normal & the 'U' shape is because of the muscle surrounding the keel.

Parrots can be all different sizes & weights depending on individuality. If you have taken you bird to an avian & he has a clean bill of health then there is nothing to worry about. If you haven't, then take him to a vet for a proper check up. A vet will also be able to tell you if the bird needs extra vits & why.

An incorrect diet is not always the reason a bird may need extra vitamins in his diet. An all pellet diet or using the correct pellets does not always mean your bird will have sufficient vitamins intake as well. This is something you should see your own avian vet about & follow his advice. If you're uncertain then follow through with another avian vet.

Jun 04, 2011

quaker parrot's keel bone
by: Linda

AMEN to Editor's Notes!

You should not be able to easily feel the keel bone nor should you be able to see it. Do as instructed and get your bird examined by an Avian Vet in your area quickly.

A sick bird will not eat all it needs to, and a sick bird should be taken to an avian vet as soon as first symptoms appear. Your bird most likely has an infection, and if it came from a pet store, I guarantee it is sick as all birds coming from pet stores are already either sick or are incubating an infection. It comes with the territory of crowding strange birds together in one place like that. Pet stores sell sick animals and birds all the time, and blame you if they die. We recommend taking new birds to avian vet within the first few days so we have some recourse if bird dies from a long-term infection. If you wait more than a week, you will not even get your money back if bird dies, so take this one to vet immediately. If a bird dies, always have a necropsy done on the body while still fresh. This could help you with the people who sold you a sick bird, and it can tell you what killed the bird in case there is a possible toxin involved.

thanks for writing and let us know how everything goes.

Linda

Jun 04, 2011

Quaker parrot too skinny?
by: Tracie

Dr B will eventually answer your question, but he will not be able to tell if your bird is too skinny without examining your bird.

If your bird is eating healthy, like Harrison's pellets and only 20% healthy treats, then your bird should not be too skinny.

You can get a scale and weigh your bird often to make sure it is not gaining or losing too much weight. My concern is that it sounds like the bird is not gaining weight, and it sounds like you never took the bird to an avian vet for an exam.

Please Find an Avian Vet and read Dr B's Switching Birds to Pellets article if your bird is not on a healthy pellet diet. (Colored pellets are NOT healthy pellets, they are full of sugar and chemicals that compromise a bird's health.)

Jun 04, 2011

Quaker Parrot
by: Anonymous

It may be hes a little underweight keep up the food and try a little small bird mix with pellets or what ever you are giving yr bird plenty of fruits and maybe a good vitamin to sprinkle on food just keep yr on eye on it i have a little Quaker parrot never stops eating no matter what i give it very active birds my Quaker loves pomegranates and melon and apples bananas good luck if you get worried nip to vet to get weighed hope that helps or maybe yr nearest pet shop/ store might weigh it for you x

Editor's note: Do NOT sprinkle vitamins on food, unless you want to possibly kill your bird. If your bird is eating a healthy pellet diet, like Harrison's, then it does not need more vitamins.

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