My parrot is molting. Should I give him vitamins or change his diet?

Thanks for reaching out. Diet can have an affect on pigments of the plumage. An only seed diet lack multiple vitamins, minerals and nutrients, and is a poor diet. A wide variety of vegetables and avian pellets should provide an adequate diet. If continued to be concerned, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a physical examination. Good luck.

It is best to follow the dosing instructions given to your by your vet. It should be fine to still give fruits and veggies as a snack in addition to the vitamins and Naoki's regular diet. If you are concerned about underlying health issues, going ahead with bloodwork is a good idea so you can get a clearer picture of what is going on as well.

If he is not picking out his feathers, he is likely molting: Molt is a very strenuous time for a bird as almost all its energy is used to making new feathers. It takes seven to ten days for a feather to begin to emerge after one was shed and then this new feather takes up to 8 weeks to fully develop. During molting your bird will be cranky, nap more often and it is especially necessary at this time to feed them a very healthy diet and keep a close eye on them as they will be using lots of their nutrients to grow and replace the feathers. Feed lots of greens such as kale (extra calcium) and you can feed mashed up hard-boiled egg and also offer some boiled chicken. Both of these are high sources of protein for making new feathers.

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.

Molting is a normal behavior where birds lose their old feathers and grow in new ones. Making sure Chicky is on a balanced diet for her species is a great way to ensure she has the right nutrition to regrow her feathers. Adding in a few extra fresh fruits and veggies, or even some egg food can also give a little extra protein and nutrients to help. Most birds will finish molting and have new feathers in after about a month.

Thanks for reaching out about Sparky. Could he being going through his first molt and the white flecks are keratin from the new feathers? Continue to provide good nutrition as protein, vitamins and other nutrients are essential for health, growth and a good immune system. Seeds are not a complete diet and an avian pellet plus some table foods are recommended. A veterinary visit is recommended for an initial exam and consultation for diet/husbandry. Good luck.

Her eye and the area around it does not look bad. Monitor it for redness, swelling, excessive feather loss or excessive scratching. A small amount of seed is fine, but she shouldn't be on an all seed diet. A commercial pelleted diet would provide a balanced diet. Brands include Roudybush, Lafeber, Pretty Bird, Kay Tee Exact and Harrison's. These can be found online or in most pet stores. A mineral block and a cuttlebone should be provided as well.