How much do your fids weight?

[4dugnlee]

So I just got some scales so I can weigh my fids. I made a little perch out of leftover pvc pipe and fittings and use a kitchen scale which worked out pretty good. Sassy weighs in at 360g. I think from my research this is a little on the low side of normal. But then on some sites it is perfectly normal. She is on the smaller side of BFA's and is very active...no way is she a perch potato. Cisco weighs in at 135g, which from my research is on the heavy side for SC's. He is active too, but has been very hormonal lately, so has pretty much preferred to be in his cage (he's been coming out more for the past few days so I'm happy to say I'm getting my Cisco back!) Pea is not yet ready to venture to be weighed just yet...but we are getting there! It's hard to tell what's normal and what's not based on all the conflicting information I find. What do you guys think?

 

[henpecked]

Hormonal males will often increase about 10% in body weight, that's normal . of course you need a base line weight to compare that too. Lucky for you you've learned how to weighting your birds is a game to them. In order to gauge what is a healthy weight you need to have the bird in hand an "feel" the body. Something a good AV should help you with. For me i can feel my own pet birds and know what's healthy. The scales give you a easy way to keep up with their health. They can't wait to get on the scales because they know a treat is coming.

 

[Kiwibird]

Sassy is a tiny little lady! Kiwi weighs around 420 grams. He's a big boy though (and not in the fat way). I just sit him on the kitchen scale, give him a kiss and hand him a cashew. Gives the perfect window to get an accurate weight

 

[Mekaisto]

I don't like to use body weights to judge the condition of the bird, you literally can't tell whether a bird is healthy or not from it's body weight, unless it's really high or really low, or if it's higher or lower than usual.

We have two male peregrine falcons of the same subspecies - one hovers around the 550g mark, and the other around the 520g mark. Neither is sick or overfed, they're just different!

Henpecked is right - if your bird will let you, feeling the keel is the best way to judge your bird's condition

 

[RavensGryf]

My digital scale broke a couple months ago and haven't replaced it yet. Cheapy kitchen scale from Target. I know both of my Poicephalus parrots are just smaller framed individuals for their species, but keel feels fine.

I don't personally know what an 'average' is for BFA, but from seeing many SC in person, Cisco does sound like a larger guy. How about Peanut?

 

[Bandespresso]

I just tried to put Espresso on the kitchen scale without a perch.....that was an interesting situation hahahahaha. She has gained 10 grams in 2 weeks though! Yay! She's at 386 now and came to me at about 350 in November: she's underweight for a CAG but she is also pretty small. I absolutely agree that weight isn't the best way to judge health BUT it is good to keep track of weight because sudden weight loss is a pretty solid indication of a potential health problem. Always "feel the keel" if you can!

 

[4dugnlee]

Thanks everyone! I got the scales mostly out of curiosity and to keep track of weight gains or losses, not really to gage their health. I seemed to notice a difference in weight feel in Cisco while he was on me. And he was eating everything he could get his little beak on so I thought I would get a scales and get them used to using it, and then if there is a medical reason in the future, they will already be accustomed to it. I have felt the keel on them before, but they have to be in a really REALLY good mood to let me..lol. I will again the first chance. Thanks again!