Bathing and feather health tips?

[GabeB]

Hi everyone! I was hoping to get some feedback on how often you bathe your Ekkies. I learned from Echo's vet that he is an overpreener, but I feel like his feathers aren't as healthy as they could be (even being an overpreener). His colors are still vibrant and beautiful, but many times his feathers look messy and some often break. He is in a Cockatoo size cage, so I don't think that is an issue. Echo doesn't bathe himself at all from what I've seen... had him for 4 years now. Should I be bathing him weekly, biweekly? Any suggestions are appreciated. Currently he takes a shower with me about once every week/2 weeks. Thanks everyone!

 

[Greenhouseparrots]

Hi everyone! I was hoping to get some feedback on how often you bathe your Ekkies. I learned from Echo's vet that he is an overpreener, but I feel like his feathers aren't as healthy as they could be (even being an overpreener). His colors are still vibrant and beautiful, but many times his feathers look messy and some often break. He is in a Cockatoo size cage, so I don't think that is an issue. Echo doesn't bathe himself at all from what I've seen... had him for 4 years now. Should I be bathing him weekly, biweekly? Any suggestions are appreciated. Currently he takes a shower with me about once every week/2 weeks. Thanks everyone!

I don't have an ekkie but the feathers sound like my crimson bellied conures feathers. Her feathers have looked very messy and generally in poor condition for ages. She was bathing herself, but wouldn't preen afterwards, and when she would preen it would be so brief that it wouldn't actually do anything to the feathers. I didn't realise how bad it was but getting her on a better diet has improved her feather condition a lot and she now preens properly.

Could it be diet related? I know he's an overpreener but it could still be diet related

 

[Fluffonia]

Hi! Welcome to the forums. I have a female ekkie called Ruby. She doesn’t like bathing in a bird bath. Have you tried misting him? I think two times a week may be right, depending on the weather. Oh, if your using hot water, it may be not good for your bird since in the wild, there’s only cold water. Hot water may damage his feathers though I’m not sure. It might be that you are over handling him. As you know, ekkies have oil on their feathers that they mostly use to preen and protect their feathers. Our hands have oil that can react with the ekkie’s. That could be the problem. Could I see pictures of him? He must be gorgeous!

 

[ZorroKnowsAll]

If you want him to not have a bad experience bathing showering together is perfect to do (which you are doing). Perhaps do so more often. It's also always a good idea to use a plant sprayer on the softest setting to mist your bird every day if he doesn't bathe. If this doesnt help with the feathers not looking as healthy, it may have to do with your birds diet? Or could he be moulting? Hope this helps a bit

 

[GabeB]

Hi! Welcome to the forums. I have a female ekkie called Ruby. She doesn’t like bathing in a bird bath. Have you tried misting him? I think two times a week may be right, depending on the weather. Oh, if your using hot water, it may be not good for your bird since in the wild, there’s only cold water. Hot water may damage his feathers though I’m not sure. It might be that you are over handling him. As you know, ekkies have oil on their feathers that they mostly use to preen and protect their feathers. Our hands have oil that can react with the ekkie’s. That could be the problem. Could I see pictures of him? He must be gorgeous!

Thanks for the tips from both of those who responded. I’ve attached a pic below! <3

 

[Fluffonia]

Thanks for the tips from both of those who responded. I’ve attached a pic below! <3

He looks great! Do you feed him chop? Chop are really good and important for ekkies!

 

[ZorroKnowsAll]

Thanks for the tips from both of those who responded. I’ve attached a pic below! <3

So cute!! He does look pretty great actually! If its the diet or lack of bathing it isnt anything major to worry about, he looks very healthy

 

[GabeB]

He looks great! Do you feed him chop? Chop are really good and important for ekkies!

So cute!! He does look pretty great actually! If its the diet or lack of bathing it isnt anything major to worry about, he looks very healthy

Thank ya’ll! I have started misting a couple times a day which he seems to enjoy quite a bit. It is mainly his flight feathers and tail that get real messy. He is on about a half and half mix of chop and pellet due to vet recommendation. Thanks for the friendliness and replies. I think misting and the showers he’s been taking with me will do the trick!

 

[4 way borbs]

Hi everyone! I was hoping to get some feedback on how often you bathe your Ekkies. I learned from Echo's vet that he is an overpreener, but I feel like his feathers aren't as healthy as they could be (even being an overpreener). His colors are still vibrant and beautiful, but many times his feathers look messy and some often break. He is in a Cockatoo size cage, so I don't think that is an issue. Echo doesn't bathe himself at all from what I've seen... had him for 4 years now. Should I be bathing him weekly, biweekly? Any suggestions are appreciated. Currently he takes a shower with me about once every week/2 weeks. Thanks everyone!

I try to bathe my birds with a warm wet hand towel once a week. try giving your bird more vitamins A C D.

 

[WingDing]

I try to bathe my birds with a warm wet hand towel once a week. try giving your bird more vitamins A C D.

"try giving your bird more vitamins A C D." as in healthy chop, not enriched pellets or supplements which can cause real health issues in Eclectus.