Weighing Your Parrot
Recording and Keeping Track
Caretakers that want to be actively participating in the health monitoring of their cherished feathered companion can do so by weighing their parrot regularly. Your parrot’s weight can be recorded in this chart which should always be brought along to be consulted by your avian veterinarian during your visits. Your avian veterinarian, technician or avian behavior consultant can help you find the easiest technique to accomplish this daily or weekly monitoring.
Useful Strategies for Weighing Your Parrot
The easiest way to incorporate this monitoring in your daily routine is to place the scale near the night cage, conveniently positioned so that when your bird steps-up out of his night cage in the morning, he can step onto your hand for a morning greeting and then right back down onto the scale perch. Making this experience a rewarding one by verbally communicating to your parrot what the scale reveals is a positive reinforcer.
If the Scale Perch Doesn’t Work
Not all parrots will eagerly participate and voluntarily step onto a scale perch and so, should your parrot be reluctant, gradually desensitize him and mentor him to be comfortable with this perch. Some individuals may be less reluctant to enter a transport carrier, and so this can be another alternative technique to weighing your bird.
Should you be practicing your towel cradling techniques with your bird and gradually desensitizing him to being wrapped in a towel (in case one day you need to provide first aid assistance) then use this moment to place your snuggly wrapped parrot safely on the scale.
Concerns and Fluctuations
Your avian health consultant can interpret any fluctuation in weight that you may be concerned about. Slight fluctuations can be normal, although they could also be an indication of a health concern, especially if your bird starts to lose weight. Numerous parrot companions are challenged with obesity, and so any weight gain should be closely monitored and may require a diet or lifestyle revision (housing, exercise, or enrichment). All your fledglings that have not yet reached juvenile age and may still be at risk of unweaning should have their weight monitored daily or at least several times per week.
