Cockatoo showers... How often?

[birdashes]

Basically the title

I'm sorta unsure how often I should be giving Val showers? I've been giving him and my tiels a spritz shower about every week ( sometimes a day or two before a week... Sometimes after) . I can usually tell when he needs a bath... His feather look 'off' ... From the 'too dust I'm guessing.

I'm just worried they should be more frequent? Or even maybe I'm doing it too much? I know too many showers/bathes can be bad... Really unsure, and I'm always anxious about doing the best for him lol.

 

[Hankmacaw]

I give my Jasper baths (soaking, thorough) a minimum of once a week and during the hot weather she gets an outside hose shower almost every day. She has never had any kind of feather or skin issue.

I don't know much about cockatoos, but they do produce lots of dust and need very frequent showers/baths. Besides keeping that dust down with air purifiers and frequent showers will be much better for your lung health.

 

[birdashes]

@Hankmacaw
Thanks for sharing your experiences!!
My other birds take bathes on their own when they want ( which is usually every 3-5 days ) so it's been a little test figuring out the ones that don't take bathes lol!

I do have a air purifier going in the bird room, which has cut down on the dust an amazing amount. Also provides a good 'white noise' for birdie bed time ( especially with my tiels and their night frights....)

I've been debating changing every week to every 2-3 days, but I'm concerned about taking away too much dust... I'll do some research and hopefully someone might know

 

[Tiel Feathers]

My vet says to bathe my birds as often as they will allow, and as soaked as they will get.

 

[WallyLoopey]

My birds get showers daily. I don't think you can overdo it, especially if they enjoy it. Now if they absolutely hate it you could aim for twice a week.

 

[birdashes]

@Tiel Feathers
Thanks! Val is still getting used to the evil, dreaded spray bottle but he seems to enjoy the showers themselves

@WallyLoopey
One of my birds would literally probably like showers all day... He loves them so much!
Anyway-thanks! I'm thinking I'll start giving them showers more often!

 

[jmfleish]

I don't think you can overdo it but I think once a week would be fine. The 'toos are so hard to really get soaking wet anyway. Here's a picture of Reggie and Kishka outside after a hose bath several summers ago. The outside baths are always easier for some reason!

 

[jmfleish]

Here's another kind of blurry one of Kishka "fake-bathing" in our kitchen sink. He's such a stinker!

 

[JLcribber]

I let them choose and most of them choose between 5 and 10 days. It varies.

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

My vet recommends to spray them everyday! Which I honestly have a hard time keeping up with. I aim for a proper bath once a week for Zane and Echo hates water now so less for him. I think having his nose flush put him off, which is a real shame, because he use to love getting sprayed. I better go bath my two as they are going to the vets tomorrow

 

[birdashes]

@jmfleish
I have only managed to 'soak' Valentine once.... he ended up looking like a drowned rat!

Gosh you've got such cute little guys


I'm going to mix up the time between Val and co.'s showers. Try to see what they seem to prefer. Thanks everyone !

 

[Tiel Feathers]

better go bath my two as they are going to the vets tomorrow

Ha! I was just thinking the same thing...mine better get a bath before Thursday when they have their check up!

 

[cassiesdad]

If he could, Milton would live in the shower. He's obsessed with bathing and water. He will walk to the bathroom, open the door and proudly announce to whoever is in there ,"WANNA WET!"
While he's in there, he'll carry on "conversations" with the shampoo and bar of soap...when he comes out, he proudly screams, "I'M WET...YOU'RE WET...WE'RE BOTH WET!" over and over.

All that aside, Milty usually gets his "wet" 3 or 4 times a week. The one really nice thing about that is that Milty's feathers always are bright and "shiny"...

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

Here's Zane after a bath and a blowdry
He's so content afterwards. I really gotta up my game and be more like @cassiesdad and give him more baths per week

 

[birdashes]

Here's Zane after a bath and a blowdry View attachment 248155 View attachment 248156
He's so content afterwards. I really gotta up my game and be more like @cassiesdad and give him more baths per week

Such a pretty boy you've got! I know that post-bath look

 

[Sarahmoluccan]

Such a pretty boy you've got! I know that post-bath look

Thanks He's my special boy

 

[melissasparrots]

I usually do it weekly but have sometimes sprayed them 6 days a week in the past. I always feel like I should shoot for at least 2-3 times a week in a perfect world.

 

[hotfoot jackson]

I try to shower Dusty my corella once a week, but if its cold might miss it....in summer its often three times a week, as much for the cooling effect as cleanliness

 

[Shinobi]

Well in the wild, parrots have a shower every time it rains. We give our Eclectus parrots 3 to 4 times a week.

 

[lupe]

Elvis & I have nightly routine. I ask him to step up and go shower. 97% of the time he comes along. Some nights he's not in the mood. I let him choose. I will say that he does like his showers and has only had positive experiences. I prefer he chooses to shower because after he is calm and serene preening his royal feathers.....AND leaves me be!