Inconsistent poops

[EdgesofTwilight]

Since yesterday my 3 month old Hahn's macaw has been having inconsistent poops. One would be watery, another would be soft, and another would be regular. Also they are a lighter shade of brown than they used to be. It all seemed to happened after I gave him a bath yesterday. He actually made one as I brought him to his bath dish and pooped in the water. That one was normal. After I took him out hr pooped and it was very watery, almost like diahrea. Other than the poop issues, he seems to be fine. Eating and drinking consistently throughout the day and playful. Even even is becoming more vocal the past couple of days, like he's trying to talk. Sounds like a cross between gibberish and a dog squeaky toy. Is this something I should be concerned about warranting a vet visit? Thanks!

 

[Kiwibird]

Sounds like he just got a bit extra moisture during his bath It's very common for them to get some runny poops after a good bath. If his poop is still watery tomorrow or he starts behaving 'sick', then I'd call the vet for further advice.

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

Thanks Kiwibird. How long does it usually last after a bath? Plus today he ate a bunch of yams today as well. That probably doesn't help either. Maybe he should just stick to his dry food for a day or 2.

 

[Kiwibird]

I would just feed him as normal Don't reduce his fruit or veg intake at all. Parrots should NOT have too dry of a diet, as they are designed to have lots of fruit/moisture in their system. Honestly, a little on the wet side is normal for healthy birds on a healthy diet with lots of fresh food. Many people become used to dry poops though because their bird eats a lot of dry food and get concerned when the poop starts coming out wetter with fruit/veg (or increased water) intake.

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

His poop was a little wet before, you could see it leaved a little ring around it on the paper. His urates look fine though. But now it is more liquidy and harder to pick up with a paper towel. Maybe with the inconsistent diet and still settling in to his new home could be at play? The only thing that is the same that the breeder fed him is the Zupreem fruit blend. I offer him fresh fruits and veggies, but he doesn't eat them all the time. I also mix a seed blend with his pellets that have nutrients and pro biotics.

 

[4dugnlee]

When I give my U2 a bath her poop is watery...every time. Also, her poop gets lighter brown color when she eats sweet potatoes. I don't notice it as much with my other fids, but with her it's every bath and every time she eats sweet potatoes. If your fid continues to have watery/discolored poop for more than a day or two, or otherwise acts sick, I would call your avian vet. Hope this helps...keep us posted.

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

Thanks. Yeah he definitely doesn't act sick. But then again from what I hear parrots can hide it well. He's starting to play with his toys, active, and beginning to be more vocal. Plus he was just at the vet a week and a half ago for his first checkup. And the vet said he was perfectly healthy.

 

[June2012]

Thanks. Yeah he definitely doesn't act sick. But then again from what I hear parrots can hide it well. He's starting to play with his toys, active, and beginning to be more vocal. Plus he was just at the vet a week and a half ago for his first checkup. And the vet said he was perfectly healthy.

Parrots have another language of their own: POOP! Is he just eating more of the vegetables that you brought out than usual? Are you feeding him lettuce with the veggie mix you give him? When birds eat a lot of lettuce their poop becomes more watery... And more fruits = more water. Hope he isn't sick!

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

Was feeding him Sweet Potatoes, mango, apples, and baby spinach. Not all at once though.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Oh how nice! So Cosmo is trying quite the variety! Love it!! How did the sweet potatoes go over with him?

Don't worry too much about inconsistency in the droppings. They will always depend on what he ate (last). Of course if he's continuously having super watery droppings, then I'd worry, but even my guys (and gal) don't poop the same throughout the day.

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

He loved the sweet potatoes. Seems to be one of his favorites so far. The fruit he seems to taste it and fling it for some reason. As far as super watery, it is consistently. Maybe once or twice during the day, but it's more of the urine part. The urates seem normal and white. The feces part changes color and consistency throughout the day. More so the color. Yesterday it seemed like dark almost black, went to green, to brown, them the yellowish. He ate apples yesterday and mango the day before. However he has been chewing on his toys more and some of them are colored.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about his poopies, I really wouldn't. What goes in - must come out, and it will always reflect on what he ate.

Loved hearing that the sweet potatoes were a hit. They are very healthy for him, too.

You're doing such a marvelous job with Cosmo!!

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

What helps too is that I'm able to feed him as soon as I get home now. Since it gets light earlier he's up at the crack of dawn and greets/calls out to me as soon as I get in from work at 6:30 am.