IDENTIFYING SIGNS OF STRESS AND ILLNESS IN BIRDS

Avian health is just as important as other small animal pet health. They are just like dogs and cats in that they require good nutrition, social interaction, veterinary check ups and care and their health and wellbeing is vital to enable them to have long and happy lives. 

Stress in humans and animals has been proven to affect one’s emotional, physical and mental health, and can thus be a contributing factor to illness. So it is very important to reduce stress in your bird’s daily life and also equally important to be able to identify signs of stress or illness in birds.

Here are some common signs of stress too look out for in birds 

• feather picking and plucking is a type of self-mutilation that birds can displayed when feeling stressed or agitated.

• Pacing repetitively 

• Trembling and shaking 

• Fear 

• Hiding 

• Biting and aggression 

Signs of illness in birds 

• decreased appetite 

• Change of appearance in their droppings 

• Weight loss

• Behaviour temperament change, either becoming quieter and more subdued or opposite effect biting and lunging or loud vocalizing and screaming. 

• Lethargic 

• Open mouth breathing (requires immediate vet attention) 

If your bird is displaying signs of stress, consider seeking the help of specific avian Vets or Vets with special interest in Avians as they can provide a more detailed and thorough consultation of your bird to assist you.

Also consider feeding a specific diet designed to help birds that are stressed or anxious, more specifically Vetafarm’s excellent and complete functional diet  called B Calm which contains the amino acid L- Tryptophan which naturally helps improve serotonin in the brain and contains other further essential vitamins and minerals and turmeric to support the health and wellbeing of your bird. This diet is designed to help improve the life and wellbeing of any stressed birds or birds suffering anxiety. 

Ensuring your bird has a suitable cage to rest in - one that is not only large enough for them to comfortably flap their wings and move around but also has suitable perches of different sizes including natural branches, and appropriate comfortable nesting material. 

They should also be given plenty of time outside their cage to fly and stretch their wings which is part of natural bird behaviour, and thus naturally will reduce the stress in birds that are otherwise caged up all the time. 

Provide natural enrichment for your bird to be able to engage in specific natural behaviours including foraging. Try to replicate this in their environment, include other novel objects including toys that are made from bird safe materials and can provide enrichment for your bird also. 

Remember to engage with your bird daily as socialisation is very important to birds.

Birds like any animal should always have access to fresh clean water and their food should also be kept clean and without droppings or dust.

Feeding the correct type of food is also very important, and effects their health and mood. Sadly, some people still only offer their birds an all seed diet, which is often not balanced. 

As a Registered Fear Free vet nurse who has worked at a leading clinic treating birds I recommend bird owners use the appropriate Vetafarm breed specific food which is guaranteed to provide optimum balanced nutrition for your bird. These have been specifically formulated by avian veterinarians. 

 Even Vetafarm Deli Stix which are offered as treats to your birds are balanced and healthy making them the ideal treat containing mixed seeds pellets and some fruit and nuts. 

Vetafarm have specific functional diets including specific food blends tailored to specific breeds.

You can browse their website for specific information on what diets would be best suited to your bird, but here are some of them listed below. 

MD pellets maintenance diet pellets that is suitable for all parrots including Cockatiels, 

Finch and Budgie Crumbles suitable for budgies and finches and also loved by many chickens also. 

Forest Fusion Lorikeet Diet or Nectar Pellets for Lorikeets, 

Nutri blend fruit flavoured multi coloured pellets are

an excellent diet for your larger birds such as Galahs, macaws and Cockatoos, 

Vetafarm Crittacare Avian is an essential for your bird first aid kits, as it contains high quality vitamins and minerals along with essential amino acids is ifs, probiotics and prebiotics that naturally help sick and injured birds by supporting their vulnerable struggling digestive systems and thus re- establishing healthy gut function for them. 

• Vetafarm Poly Aid plus is another essential item to keep with your bird first aid kit, as it is an excellent supplement for sick injured and stressed birds and also small animals that may be not eating voluntarily on their own. 

I hope this article has helped you to be able to identify and thus reduce and treat any signs of stress or illness in your birds so you can assist them and help them lead a happy and healthy life connecting with you and you connecting with them. 

Belinda Roxy Guarnaccia

Fear Free Certified RVN 

Connective Instincts Inspired By Coco

www.connectiveinstincts.com.au

0447 277 088

•Fear Free Certified

•Registered & Qualified Vet Nurse

•Ethical Dog & Animal Training

•Qualified Reiki & Crystal Practitioner

•Animal Communicator