Eating droppings? What is going on here?

[PrimorandMoxi]

Abba is thirty three and we have had her for nine months. We transitioned her from an all seed diet to fresh foods supplemented with Harrison’s pellets. She is somewhat finicky, but over the time she has been in our flock she has maintained her weight and her feathers look great compared to when we got her.

Recently I noticed that she was eating her droppings: she will climb to the grate of her cage and scrape it off and eat it. Is she missing something in her diet? Is this a trip to the vet?

any help and advice is most appreciated.

 

[wrench13]

That cant be good. I would keep the bars like surgically clean, until this habit goes away.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi, I am seeing finicky eater and suspicious that she could be deficient in her diet. Is she eating poo a lot? Do you weigh her on a regular basis, which is a good indicator if things are ok? Better to be safe than sorry so I'd give the AV a ring, ask what they think? I have a fussy eater myself and it's a pain, seem to be constantly checking what's been eaten and what's not. Had to sit and feed mine this morning just to get him to show interest in his fresh food just because I've added ground walnuts to his dish today.

 

[henpecked]

We've had several threads over the years about eating their droppings. My zons do it on occasion. I don't think it's a sign of any health issue. It might be they are adding a healthy bacteria back into their system or it's the closest thing they can find to grit. I have noticed they only eat the dried hard stuff.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

as a kid,we had a blind dog that would eat the cat cr..... oh never mind! :54:

 

[JerseyWendy]

Oh man. Reading this REALLY brings out my gag reflex something fierce....

 

[plumsmum2005]

Oh man. Reading this REALLY brings out my gag reflex something fierce....

LMAO you've done it again!

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

HEY! With all do respect: stop scat shaming my sweetie bird!

I would expect it on another "Parajita" forum but not this one.

LOL!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Oh my gosh, I would NEVER do that, I promise!!!

The 'pajarita' comment required me to wear a diaper, which I wasn't...so pardon me while I clean up really quickly.....

 

[KrisandPenelope]

My CB conure just recently acquired the same habit and when I put a call in to my avian vet he told me it was nothing to worry about as long as ever thing else seemed normal. He also told me that some birds like to self clean and when their poop drops to the bars and gets stuck they peck and chew it till it comes clean off the grate.

 

[plumsmum2005]

My CB conure just recently acquired the same habit and when I put a call in to my avian vet he told me it was nothing to worry about as long as ever thing else seemed normal. He also told me that some birds like to self clean and when their poop drops to the bars and gets stuck they peck and chew it till it comes clean off the grate.

I am hopeful of offering mine the broom so he'll get the message LOL
Seriously, thanks for the update.