My budgie is underweight with bad feathers. Is coconut oil safe?

It's very likely to be mites but there are no natural remedies for this condition, it is treated with a medication called Ivermectin, every vet has this medication and could provide it to you. coconut oil or Vaseline won't solve the problem or even help at all.

Turmeric and coconut oil may help a little with dry skin, but they won't treat any underlying conditions. If you notice something such as flecks of "stuff" on the feather base, that can indicate parasites such as mites which need to be treated with a mite spray. Visible wounds, redness, sores, etc, can indicate other problems such as fungal or bacterial infections that should be treated by a vet (and you should keep your bird from scratching at it with the use of an Elizabethan/cone e-collar). Making sure your bird is on a balanced diet for cockatiels can also help keep the skin and feathers healthy. You can add in some treats such as fresh fruits and veggies as well.

It could be that the feathers just got bent as they were growing in, however if you are noticing other changes, or are concerned about Coqui's overall health, it is always best to schedule a veterinary exam. They can perform routine bloodwork to check for any nutritional issues and illnesses such as PBFB if you are concerned, or even check for more common problems such as parasites or skin infections, and at least give you some peace of mind regarding it. If he checks out healthy, it could just be a prolonged molt or result of simply being him. Continuing to provide a balanced diet (it seems like you already are), providing plenty of enriching toys to prevent boredom plucking.

Putting Ivermectin on coco is the treatment for skin mites. If Coco does not have skin mites than the ivermectin is not needed. typically if placed high enough on the back Coco will not really be able to ingest it. I would be more concerned about behavioral issues causing over plucking. I would make sure Coco has enough toys, mirrors and is located in a low traffic area to help decrease in stress. I hope that helps

Thanks for your question about Coco, and thanks for the photos - they are very helpful. You are correct that it could be taking him a long time to molt, however he may also be preening excessively and removing his feathers. In one of the photos he looks to have acreddebed area of skin - this is not typical of regular molting. If you are seeing feathers continuously at the bottom of the cage, this would also be suggestive of overpreening. I would recommend ensuring that his cage is very clean, that he is provided with multiple toys (which you will have to introduce slowly as budgies are often very nervous about new items), a mirror if he doesn’t have any company, and proper nutrition. These would all help with a molting issue, and may also help a bit if he is overpreening himself. If you are able to take him to a veterinarian, they would also be able to assist with this problem. They could look at the skin and feathers to ensure that there isn’t a medical reason for his condition. I hope that helps, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

The moult should take two to three weeks to complete. You can help by making sure Coco has a full bowl of food available at all times. He should have a mineral block available at all times. Feed sprouted grains and fresh vegetables - these are good moulting foods that will support healthy feather growth. Other factors to consider: 1. During moulting birds need plenty of sleep – 10 to 12 hours every night, with a quiet, darkened atmosphere. 2. They do better in slightly humid conditions. Your indoor bird may require frequent access to bathing water or the shower, and you may find it necessary to mist your bird or operate a humidifier. 3. Exposure to natural sunlight helps produce the vitamins necessary to keep skin and feathers healthy. Indoor birds will benefit from full spectrum UV lighting or daily exposure to natural light. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for your question about The Little, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful! The fraying at the edges of the feathers can be due to him overgrooming, but it may also be due to the feathers being on the body too long (basically a molting interval that is too long). When that happens, the feather can lose some of its strength and can be damaged more easily. These conditions are often a result of stress or nutrition. In budgies, the most common nutritional deficiency that results in this is a lack of vitamin A, which is typically found with seed diets. Ideally, budgies would eat a combination of at least 50% pellets, and the remaining 50% can be made of produce and a small amount of seeds. Vitamin A deficiency can also result in the skin being dry and flaky, and it can also look irritated or red. This may be contributing to the changes that you are seeing on the face and feet as well. Alternatively, there are some parasites that affect feathers and skin, however if this is the case you have caught it early. I would recommend considering a diet change if applicable, and a wellness evaluation for The Little with your veterinarian to get a thorough physical examination performed. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!