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Tahoe watches his weight . . .

Tahoe watches his weight . . .

Every species of parrot has a typical weight range, and one of the best and most discernible indicators of a possible health problem is a sudden weight gain or loss. It is a good idea, therefore, to weigh your bird regularly. While daily weighing of an adult bird probably is not necessary unless there are health concerns, I have found it easy enough to weigh my birds weekly or every other week. Though gram scales are readily available, you can improvise with a postal scale (Tahoe's favorite because it bounces), and use any number of web sites to convert from ounces to grams or just remember that one ounce equates to approximately 28.35 grams. Quite often, dehydration, weight loss and lack of energy can cause a bird to succumb to disease, even with the best veterinary care. And, too, some medications may have a tendency to reduce appetite and a desire for fluids. Regular weigh-ins and checking to be sure that your bird is consuming adequate amounts of food and fluids can help avert a genuine nutrition problem before it's too late, so that proper intervention, including in some cases hand-feeding or fluid administration, may be provided.