My rescued bird has diarrhea; what should I feed it and what breed?

Diarrhea can be caused by a wide number of things, so finding the underlying cause is important to treating it. While changing the diet may help, other issues such as parasites, illness, infection, etc, should be ruled out as well. As for diet, removing any extra treats such as fruits and veggies can help firm up stool if too many are being given (the higher water content can cause loose stool.) Feeding a diet specific to pigeons, either a commercial food or a variety of seeds and insects, can help ensure proper nutrition. Treating for any parasites and making sure to keep the cage clean may also help. If you have a bird that is very ill, separating him from any other birds you own can also help if there is a spreadable illness causing symptoms. If at home care doesn't help, then you will need to try and find a clinic in your area so your bird can be treated and any medication such as an antibiotic given to help Sheephony feel better.

Since you are fairly certain that the diarrhea is caused by the cucumber seeds I would avoid giving them to your bird. She may enjoy them but it sounds like they are doing more harm than good. Fresh fruit and veggies should only make up about 15% of her diet. 80-90% should be a high quality pelleted food and <5% can be from treats/seeds. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Discontinue the millet temporarily. If possible, transition him to a pelleted diet. Recommended brands include Harrison's, Lafeber, Pretty Bird, KayTee Exact or Roudybush. You can still give seeds, just limit the amount. Once the droppings normalize, supplement with fresh greens, vegetables, cooked grains, pastas and beans. Submit a sample of the droppings to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or persistent loose droppings. Have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet if necessary.

If your bird has been injured it would be best to have the injuries addressed by a veterinarian first to make sure they are not impeding his ability to eat and causing him to worsen. Your vet may also want to give fluids or other IV medications if he cannot eat properly or is too weak to. If he is able to eat food that is in a mash, you can offer something such as baby bird food in a syringe or his regular diet blended and then mixed with water. This will help provide him with more balanced nutrition while he recovers. Rice cereals don't provide as much nutrition as a diet formulated for birds would. Monitoring how full his crop is (it will feel like a balloon under his chin) can let you know if you're feeding enough or not.

Offer half a grape. It will provide quick energy and a bit of hydration. Follow with some unflavored PediaLyte to maintain hydration. To get him to eat, offer soft foods, warm foods, treats, etc. Scrambled egg, pasta or cooked rice are popular choices. It is critical to diagnose and treat the cause of the diarrhea. This may require an exam with your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth.

You may see a larger than normal amount of stool a day before or after a bird lays an egg, but it should not be diarrhea nor should it last a week. Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. If you supplement the diet with fruit or vegetables, discontinue temporarily and offer a commercial pelleted diet until the stool is normal. Monitor for lethargy, decreased appetite or continued loose droppings. See or recheck with your veterinarian if necessary.

Thanks for reaching out and including a photo. This is not diarrhea but a lack of feces, and only consists of urates, so he is not eating. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give aid. A veterinary visit is needed to provide some diagnostics (radiographs, blood work) to determine a diagnosis and then treatment plan. Start syringe feeding as soon as possible. Good luck.