I am afraid my Lovebird may be getting fat

walterbyrd · Apr 7, 2013

Kinda hard to tell if she's fat, or just has her feathers fluffed.

I don't know how old she is, I found her in my backyard about a year ago.

She has a bad foot. Only one talon works. Maybe that keeps her from exercising?

Her diet: all she wants: Rowdy Bush, corn, brown rice, apple. She won't eat vegetables.

Featheredsamurai · Apr 7, 2013

Do you have a gram scale? Weighing our birds several times a week and keeping records can tell us when our birds gain or loose weight.

Another way you can tell is by feeling your love birds breast. A healthy bird should have a nice rounded chest, while a over weight birds chest will have cleavage from too much fat on either side of the keel.

DallyTsuka · Apr 7, 2013

these show keel shapes (same shape for a lovebird as a tiel, you're looking at the chest)

Hope these give you a general idea

lovebirds generally weigh anywhere between 40-60 grams average, but some larger individuals can reach 65 grams, like the normal weight for my female lovebird (my male is 45-50 grams). weight is mostly just a number, so check the keel to be sure

MonicaMc · Apr 8, 2013

Uhm... where's the seeds in the diet???

And is she clipped or flighted?

Mayden · Apr 8, 2013

Merlin has a splayed leg and because of that tends to put on weight during winter months when he's even less active than usual. He's stationary a fair amount of time because of it.

During summer, we have him out and about more, flying more often. But winter is kind of like hibernation for me and the fids, so less time burning energy.

If you think your bird is overweight, I'd recommend getting scale to see, or visiting a vet and getting their opinion. If she is overweight then it's really as simple as cutting out food quantity/high in sugars and fats and increasing her exercise. Encouraging her to fly more often etc. Which is what we're doing with our chunkymonkey Merlin right now.

cdnbirdlover · Apr 9, 2013

Basil was at the avian vet yesterday for his annual "well bird" visit. He weighed 53.5 g which is 5 g more than when I got him last year. He is on a diet of Harrison's pellets, green veggies (he hates orange veggies and fruit) and sunflower seeds and millet. He was clipped but is now fully flighted.

The vet said he was perfect...and of course I agreee!

MonicaMc · Apr 9, 2013

Unless using sunflower seeds as treats, I'd recommend a regular seed blend. Heck, I'd recommend one anyway! Or using sprouted seeds over dry seeds, and providing the same amount of seeds as you do pellets.

Otherwise, sounds great!

cdnbirdlover · Apr 9, 2013

Sunflower seeds are for treats only - broken up into little pieces. Training rewards. He gets millet too (which he loves but not as much as sunflower seeds).

I want to try sprouting legumes but haven't tried yet. He is such a picky bird and would go back to his seed-a-holic ways if given half a chance!

walterbyrd · Apr 22, 2013

MonicaMc said:
Uhm... where's the seeds in the diet???

And is she clipped or flighted?

No seeds in her diet. We used to give her sunflower seeds as an occasional treat. She last had her wings clipped about six months ago. Her feathers have grown out, and she can fly a little, maybe as far a 30 feet. I don't she is used to flying. She is a little reluctant to fly.

I am debating whether I want to have her wings clipped again.

MonicaMc · Apr 27, 2013

I worry that a high pelleted diet could lead to kidney failure. Small parrot species don't do well on a pelleted diet unless they have a specific health problem that requires them to be on a pelleted diet (if not a fresh one).

I am afraid my Lovebird may be getting fat

walterbyrd

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