Merlin update - health/diet concerns

[witchbaby]

Merlin's initial bloodwork showed high levels of phosphorus along with raised liver enzymes. Apparently the breeder offered both seeds and pellets (the reason being "in the end, people will feed whatever they want"), so I'm guessing he favored seeds over pellets/fresh foods. I'm trying to correct this with a better diet and he'll have another blood test done in a month to see if there's any improvement. He was also underweight when I brought him home, according to the vet, but so far he's gained 7 grams.

This is his diet currently: Harrisons High Potency is made available all day. In the morning, I alternate between Volkman's Birdeez Buffet 15 Minute Soak & Serve and Goldenfeast's Carribean Bounty. He gets fruit and birdie bread in the afternoon and chop in the evening. At the moment, the chop he's gettig consists of quinoa, collard greens, kale, peas, carrots, green beans, red peppers, squash, corn, and broccoli. He gets sweet potato along with his chop a few times a week. He also gets sunshine factor daily.

Is there anything I should add to or take way from his diet that would help the situation? I'm open to any suggestions.

I'm trying to find ways to sneak more calcium into his diet. Can anyone recommend a decent mineral block that would be more appealing to a medium sized bird? I was thinking either that or a cuttlebone perch. Maybe a calcium supplement that I could sprinkle on his food?

On top of the bloodwork issues, the vet discovered a bacterial infection in Merlin's throat AND a lack of GOOD bacteria in his stomach! Until a few days ago, I was giving him an antibiotic 2x/day and a probiotic daily. I brought him in for a follow up visit yesterday and everything has returned to normal, thankfully.

 

[RavensGryf]

Unless specifically directed by your vet, I wouldn't add calcium in addition to Harrison's HP. That's really good stuff there nutritionally. Everything else sounds much better than he'd get as a wild bird by far! Sounds great. I bet Merlin's next check up will yield much better blood results!

I PERSONALLY don't feed much seed to my birds except as a treat. The Budgie is the exception who gets a little more seed than the others do because of Budgies natural diet. Rose Breasted can easily become overweight right?

I have been using more seed than before though. I used to never give it, now they enjoy a dish a few times a week plus more than enough Nutriberries which contain seed It's funny, my birds think seed is "just okay"... They aren't so used to it, so they aren't real crazy about it.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Unless specifically directed by your vet, I wouldn't add calcium in addition to Harrison's HP. That's really good stuff there nutritionally. Everything else sounds much better than he'd get as a wild bird by far! Sounds great. I bet Merlin's next check up will yield much better blood results!

I PERSONALLY don't feed much seed to my birds except as a treat. The Budgie is the exception who gets a little more seed than the others do because of Budgies natural diet. Rose Breasted can easily become overweight right?

I have been using more seed than before though. I used to never give it, now they enjoy a dish a few times a week plus more than enough Nutriberries which contain seed It's funny, my birds think seed is "just okay"... They aren't so used to it, so they aren't real crazy about it.

I agree no need to add calcium when giving Harrison's, also green leafy veggies also have calcium.

 

[witchbaby]

Unless specifically directed by your vet, I wouldn't add calcium in addition to Harrison's HP. That's really good stuff there nutritionally.

I agree, I thought he was getting enough from the high potency, but the vet was especially concerned about calcium intake despite what I'm already feeding him.

I PERSONALLY don't feed much seed to my birds except as a treat. The Budgie is the exception who gets a little more seed than the others do because of Budgies natural diet. Rose Breasted can easily become overweight right?

Yep, they definitely can. I do give him Nutriberries as an occasional treat and I don't see a problem with that as long as it's not a large part of his diet.