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Bathing help

Tandie

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Hello everyone, it has been a long while since I have posted but once again, I require help from the bird experts here!
I recently adopted a coffin’s cockatoo and her feathers are dirty! I have been able to shower her a few times and you can see brown dirt in her white feathers . Looking for suggestions on how to clean her up as the water running over her is just not enough. Unsure if there is a safe shampoo for birds.
 

Shezbug

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What is making her feathers dirty?
 

Shezbug

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If it’s just dirt from lack of bathing then I’d personally stick to plain water.

If it’s something toxic or gross like tobacco smoke you may be best to carefully wash the bird with some well diluted Dawn dish soap.
 

Tandie

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If it’s just dirt from lack of bathing then I’d personally stick to plain water.

If it’s something toxic or gross like tobacco smoke you may be best to carefully wash the bird with some well diluted Dawn dish soap.
I wish I knew what it was! I didn’t entirely notice it because I tried not to handle her right away when I brought her home last month.
Now that I am allowed to scritch her head and she trusts me enough to go into the shower, I can see and feel it on her feathers.
It becomes even much more obvious on her body when she is wet yet the water doesn’t seem to rinse it off. Tried to scrub it a little with my fingers today but didn’t seem to help
 

sunnysmom

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Can you post a pic?
 

Tina&Mill

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What does the dirt feel like? Is it greasy, or sticky?
Or does it just feel like her feathers?
 

Tiel Feathers

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As @Shezbug mentioned, dawn dish soap might help. It looks like cigarette smoke or grease. She’s so cute!
 

sunnysmom

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I was wondering if maybe cigarette smoke too. Do you know if her former owner was a smoker? She's very cute. Life with a goffin is an adventure! Thanks for adopting her.
 

Tandie

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What does the dirt feel like? Is it greasy, or sticky?
Or does it just feel like her feathers?
It just feels like her feathers are less soft and thicker - like there is something coating them. Not slippery like grease per say and definitely not sticky. I am sorry that I can’t be more descriptive!!
 

Tandie

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I was wondering if maybe cigarette smoke too. Do you know if her former owner was a smoker? She's very cute. Life with a goffin is an adventure! Thanks for adopting her.
I was wondering that as well, I never thought to ask them. Thank you - I also think she is adorable. Adjusting to life with a bird who wants to be involved in everything we are doing :)
 

HemlokHex

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Warmer water will definitely help. I wonder whether a few drops of orange oil/dilute OrangePower detergent might remove it? Since orange isn't bird-toxic. Dilute euky oil... a few drops... I assume would be birb-friendly at low doses and is an excellent cleanser.
Possibly just time and grooming (and moulting) will clean her up. Provide an open bath for her and encourage plenty of baths. Take her in the shower (a good shower perch would help) and spend time there with her.
What a sweetie.
Best of luck to you with your new Goffy!
 
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