Will Red Palm Oil help my Moluccan Cockatoo's feathers?

[Herr Vogel]

I have a Moluccan Cockatoo with a feather problem. I'm seeing feather loss on his breast and on the top of his wings. A bird breeder friend of mine suggested giving him Red Palm Oil. My question to the members is: Will Red Palm Oil work for restoring his feathers? When I researched the product I found that the source of Red Palm Oil is outside of the USA. Some on-line sources include: Indonesia and Malaysia. I'm concerned if the processing of the Palm Oil is held to a high standard. That is, a standard that would not harm my bird. If anyone can comment on this subject and provide me with a suitable Red Palm Oil supplier for parrots the advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Aves]

Since he's losing feathers you need to see a vet.

 

[Sunni Tiel]

Yeah, the vet can tell you what you need to do, He may be sick. Could he be plucking?

 

[Shezbug]

If feathers are dropping and not regrowing then you really need to see a vet. No supplement will fix that as far as I’m aware.

I use the Nutiva brand red palm oil.

@Hankmacaw might be able to offer some information to help

 

[Hankmacaw]

Red Palm oil is produced the world over. Africa, South America and India are all big producers.

Most of us here use a brand called Nutiva. https://smile.amazon.com/Nutiva-Cer...3&sr=1-1-7bf78e84-8ef2-4f13-9926-bee5153e81cb
Red Palm oil is always good for your bird, but I would get him to a vet and mention the possibility of PBFD.

 

[Ripshod]

The breast and the top of the wings are really easy areas for the beak to reach so plucking often starts in those areas. I don't think RPO would help. You heed to see a vet to rule out any medical reason.

 

[flyzipper]

Perhaps this question belongs in its own thread, but I'm curious if @Hankmacaw or @Shezbug could share how they use red palm oil (dose, frequency, fave method for offering, etc).

 

[Pat H]

@flyzipper -- I'd like to see some info on that too... I'm going to have to read up on Red Palm Oil!

 

[Hankmacaw]

I give my macaw about 1/2 cc of RPO daily. Plus I give her about the same amount of Flax oil on her food.

Here is Dr. Harrison's article on RPO (Sunshine Factor was just RPO)
SUNSHINE FACTOR – Here are the facts | Harrison's Bird Foods

 

[Mizzely]

Please make sure if you feed RPO that you are feeding a brand that is orangutan friendly. The Palm oil industry is huge (it's in a lot of processed foods) and is the leading contributor to habitat loss and deaths for orangutans.

Nutiva is orangutan friendly which is why so many of us use it.

I agree though that while RPO is a great source is Vitamin A, I would have your bird checked by a vet first.

 

[Herr Vogel]

Red Palm oil is produced the world over. Africa, South America and India are all big producers.

Most of us here use a brand called Nutiva. https://smile.amazon.com/Nutiva-Certified-Cold-Filtered-Unrefined-Ecuadorian/dp/B00JJ1E83G/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-rsf1_0?crid=1BRTMINGAB49M&cv_ct_cx=nutiva+red+palm+oil+organic&dchild=1&keywords=nutiva+red+palm+oil+organic&pd_rd_i=B00JJ1E83G&pd_rd_r=deb96c26-e1e7-464f-b241-64f2bb631a5b&pd_rd_w=wjF64&pd_rd_wg=qqQ6s&pf_rd_p=5168df84-062d-4bdf-8a6e-2680813bd42f&pf_rd_r=PZYCZ68F4RZ8NBGDS1X8&psc=1&qid=1613163158&sprefix=nutiva+red+palm,aps,213&sr=1-1-7bf78e84-8ef2-4f13-9926-bee5153e81cb
Red Palm oil is always good for your bird, but I would get him to a vet and mention the possibility of PBFD.

 

[Herr Vogel]

Thank you for your help. I have taken Mango to the Vet several times. She told me that at 45 years' old he is healthy but due to his age she would recommend Red Palm Oil as an addition to his diet. He is a very picky eater. So my question is this: Now that I purchased the product you recommended - how do I use it? That is, it's not watery. More like soft candle wax. If I heat it, as in a microwave, and pour it on his ZuPreem it will only "flow" to cover a few areas of the ZuPreem. Any other way? Put it on his fruit?

Thank you.

 

[Mizzely]

I dip a warm spoon in and then swirl it through the food.

 

[Hankmacaw]

I'm a little more direct and give it to my 35 yo macaw by syringe - since she has to take other medications as well. She gets 0.5ml per day.

 

[KimKim]

I also use the nutiva brand. I keep it in the refrigerator and my bird will eat it right off the spoon, I do not have to melt it.

 

[Shezbug]

I keep mine in the fridge so I just scrape some out and either feed straight off the spoon or I mix it into a warm meal my bird has in the evening. My bird loves it and would eat the whole jar of I let him lol.

 

[Rain Bow]

My vet recommend on a treat like a piece of cracker... I use small pieces of Bamboo dkewers or tothpicks to put it on.

In warm food like scrambled egg (w/ no milk, burds are lactose intolerant) or added into mash.

I'm now using it in Harrisons or Mama's birdy bread when I make it...

There are lotsa ways for them to eat it as you can tell from the many posts.

((Hugs))

Rain

 

[Shezbug]

It’s also nice lightly smeared on baked sweet potato or pumpkin chips- you can put it on the chips before cooking or after.

 

[Pat H]

I give my macaw about 1/2 cc of RPO daily. Plus I give her about the same amount of Flax oil on her food.

Here is Dr. Harrison's article on RPO (Sunshine Factor was just RPO)
SUNSHINE FACTOR – Here are the facts | Harrison's Bird Foods

Very interesting read--- wonder how some things can just go SO WRONG! I might just look into this product, not only for my birds, but for our own consumption.... intriguing! Thank you...

 

[Pat H]

It’s also nice lightly smeared on baked sweet potato or pumpkin chips- you can put it on the chips before cooking or after.

What are pumpkin chips?