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I was sent the following message from a lady. I need some advice to pass on to her. I hope someone here can help. The message is:

I am the owner of an Eclectus hen and I really need some help. She is chewing on her left leg. We have been trying to get this behavior stopped for over 3 years now.
Originally, there was a problem with her band and it needed to be cut off. We got that wound healed by bandaging. When we took the bandage off, then she chewed at her leg again. We did blood work, tried drugs and have recently used a cone. The chewing has now progressed completely up under her arm and into her body. It can no longer be bandaged.
I have two vets that I have tried. One keeps wanting to bandage, which is not working. We did that every 8-10 weeks for almost 3 years. It would get healed. Take off the bandage and she chews again. The cones work to get it healed also, but then she repeats. The second vet’s only recommendation is to send her to Kansas State or she wants to do a $400 blood test. If I thought it would fix the problem, I would do it. But I don’t.
I am out of ideas. Can you help or refer me to someone who might be able to?
Please let me know ASAP. Last Wednesday the second vet said they didn’t want to put a cone on her again because it wasn’t working. Her leg is getting much worse. My only alternative seems to be to put her to sleep.

Have her read my reply in this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=45569&highlight=giardia

The link I gave within this thread contains other information that may be helpful to her, but I would most definitely treat the poor bird with Ronidazole -- without bothering to test for giardia -- before going forward with any additional testing.

I surely hope it works! Thank you for helping her.

Paca

My best suggestion would be for that person to get in contact with Carolyn Swicegood...

It could be diet (eclectus can be VERY sensitive to certain foods), an allergy, boredom, etc... and Carolyn is viewed like an expert on Ekkies and so may be best to get in contact with.

She is addicted to the fluid in the feather shaft. It gives them a rush of adrenaline. She feels out of control of everything, so she can control the pain she feels, and does. Soon, she may hit a small vein, and possibly turn to mutilating.
I have had Ekkies for 8 years. My oldest female came to me with only feathers on her wings,tail, and head...she remains that way, and will never grow back more than a few feathers due to the fact that she has completely damaged the follicle itself. I do have to say that her situation is a bit different, somone just about bred her to death, because ''she was such a good mother'
I have a sanctuary for any parrot that needs me, but by far, my most common tenants are Ekkies, Toos, Macaws, and greys. I do know that one thing that has worked for me, is to give them foraging toys. It helps alot, and you really have to keep your eye on them. She canot fly, but the other day chased my Goffin across the dining room only because he landed on her cage. She is very territorial, (probably from breeding) and does not lack speed in the foot department.
One thing that I have found very recently that works well for a couple of things is gping to be a bit shocking....I had a Macaw that would fall ill often for seemingly no reason, with no warning. Tests all negative. I did some internet research and found a place where the wild Macaws go every day and roost on a clay cliff, and eat the clay.This is in Bolivia. I did more research, and found that the clay that is the most effective in removing toxins from the birds (and any other living creatures) body is called Montmorillonite clay. Not too expensive, rather easy to use, a bit difficult to find, and a living organism. This stuff works miracles. Check it out, and look into it.....your bird may just simply be this....anxious, and Toxic.....by the way, if you find yourself needing to rehome her, I would love to help you out.
Take care all, and Many Blessings
Kimberly desertsagenh@aol.com
Painted Feathers Sanctuary and Rehabilitation

paintedfeathers wrote:...a place where the wild Macaws go every day and roost on a clay cliff, and eat the clay.This is in Bolivia. I did more research, and found that the clay that is the most effective in removing toxins from the birds (and any other living creatures) body is called Montmorillonite clay. Not too expensive, rather easy to use, a bit difficult to find, and a living organism. ..

Some of us have visited the clay licks. Others have been looking at the pictures for years and yearning. Where do you buy your clay?

Good work!

Paca

The website that I read and found ordering info for the clay on is as follows. http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/ It is a large site, but very informative. If you still have trouble let me know, as I have a large supply and can send out smaller ones for less.
Kim

Check out the Roudybush website. They have prescription food for allergies, etc. It might be worth a try to put her on the rice diet. I haven't tried it but then I only heard of their prescription diets this past week. My ekkie hen has a dislike for her pretty feathers but leaves the down feathers alone. I am thinking about getting my vet to write a prescription for some to try on my Ekkie. Go to Roudybush.com and research the product and see what you think.

Good luck,
Kathy

Thank you all for the wonderful advise.

I have sent all of this information to the lady that originally e-mailed me. I hope that she can resolve the situation.

Chloe

1chloe1 wrote:Thank you all for the wonderful advise.

I have sent all of this information to the lady that originally e-mailed me. I hope that she can resolve the situation.

Chloe

One more thing Chloe, I know many will start to scream but this comes to me from Dr. Michael who is a renowned Ornthology Specialist that has worked on the Eckies diet, try feeding the hen a Lory nectar. You can get it at most places, put it in a water bottle and change it out often (check the package for directions) this may help. Do not take away the other food that the hen is currently eating, just add this on the side.

Dutch

Dutch -

Is that for the feather plucking or the mutilitation?

I ask because I have a cronic plucker Quaker (I see her naked boobies )

Ive tried everything and so did the vet.

It is to stabilize the Eclectus Diet. Many times Eclectus are fed a diet for "other parrots" and not necessary a diet set up for Eclectus. They have a longer digestive system than most parrots. Special Eclectus diet has been established to take into account for this. A Lory diet is similar to that of an eclectus (in as much have said they come from the same or similar main species.) Now you got me into talking about this which I wanted to avoid. I know there are many out there that dispute this but when an Eclectus get sick or has digestive problems Dr. Michael suggests to put them on the Lory Nectar to counteract this block. There are other factors involved including hybrids (many Eclectus species are actually hybrids) and specific to this I will not comment on.

No I would "NOT" recommend this diet for any other species except Eclectus and Lory.

Dutch