*Sigh* She's toe tapping

[Vega]

I thought things were improving. Gypsy is still pulling out a few feathers a day, but nothing like she was in the begining. She's been doing very well with the shredding toys I put in her cage and I'm really doubting this is hormonal. I put a Happy Meal box in there with foot toys for her (I've done this since I got her) and I figured if she was hormonal she'd be trying to make a nest in the box...she's not. She's ripping it to pieces though.

Anywho, woke up this morning and it's the inevitable "toe tap". :wall: I have no pellets in the house (ran out last weekend) and that's the typical culprit. Even when I do give her pellets, it's just enough so she sees she's getting everything Harvey gets.

SO now I'm trying to figure out what may have started the toe tapping...

I ran out of paper towels, which is what I normally use to wrap up uncooked whole wheat pasta, so I used toilet paper instead. It's just plain 'ol tp, but ya never know.

I also added plain shredded wheat to her dry mix this past week. She's had it before without problem, but I think it may have been another brand.

I was giving them chamomile tea in their water. While it seemed to help the first week or so nothing much has changed since and it actually seemed to have little-to-no effect anymore. I stopped using it last weekend, then on a whim I put it in their water yesterday.

Cookies...could a few bites of a cookie do this?! My neighbor made cookies for me the other day and while having some last night I gave her a few bites. I think they are lemon cookies or the kind you put the zest in.

Outside of these few things I can't think of ANYTHING else that's change. This little girl is making me nuts.

[Archive]

That sucks. I remember reading something about that not too long ago. Don't remember if it was on the Land of Vos site or somewhere else, might have been a thread on BB....seems like someone had figured out another food trigger, but I can't remember what....maybe corn??

[Archive]

I'm sorry Vega! I know nothing about toe-tapping...wish I could help.

[Vega]

Before leaving today I used newpaper instead of the tp...I'm wondering if there might have been something on that...ya know how they add aloe and such? I'm just so disgusted that she has to deal with this. She had her leg pulled up under her and I could see it was still twitching. I'm praying that it was the tp. (for a 'quick fix')

[JP]

I read the posts every day on TEC about this sort of thing. It must be awefull having it happen and not knowing just what it is causing the problem. I too remember reading somewhere not that long ago about corn actually being a problem with one! Roudybush has one thats made from rice and is supposed to be....... what? hypoalergetic?? lol For birds with bad alergies!! Sure hope you get it resolved soon!!

[Archive]

Man that sucks! Toe tapping is horrible have happen...like Jim suggested maybe an allergy?

[Tiki]

Is it only Ekkies that do this? I have never seen a parrot do this before.

[Vega]

Hey all, well it seems to have slowed down a bit. I thought it had stopped when I got home, but as she got comfy for the evening I noticed it starting again. Someone from LOV told me about an ekkie specific pellet that's available...but it's a bit expensive. This is just NOT the time for her to need even more specialized food!

[JP]

have you tried golden'obles? I know its a pellet but its as healthy a one as there is. I have seen several Eclectus specific diets when searching on line. I sure feel for you I tell ya.

[Vega]

Well I made a trip to the bird store today. A woman was in there that also has an ekkie. She told me toe-tapping is due to high levels of vitamin B...or D...can't remember. Anywho, after talking to her I left with a bag of dried fruits, a bag of nuts, millet (I thought that was a treat?), and seed treats. I mixed the nuts and fruit together...got a HUGE bowl filled! IT's the bowl I normally use to mix up her 2 months supply of mash in.

So I'm cutting the cereal back and we'll see how she does with this new mix. Good news is that it looks like her toes have stopped. :pray:

[JP]

what mash do you use? I love them mashes!!! lol

[Vega]

Hey Jim I mix:

-appx 5 large sweet potatos
-2 to 3 bags frozen mixed veggies (rinsed) usually corn/pea/carrot/broccolli
-1 bag 15 bean soup (without seasoning)
-whole wheat pasta (maybe 1/2 a box)
-2 to 3 cups cooked brown rice

That's their dinner time mush!

[Vega]

Yes everything is chopped and cooked.

I make the potatos first cause that's the "base" and mash 'em all up.
The beans I rinse, then boil for appx 45 minutes...they don't get chopped. The frozen veggies are boiled, cooled, then chopped.
Same with the pasta. I usually use the springy stuff so I cut each noodle into 3-4 pieces.

I let things cool before mixing together too.
I've learned that it helps to removed exess water when possible. I lay the beans in a single layer on a dish towel and roll up like a jelly-roll. I also do this with the veggies. Pasta I leave out to dry out for a bit. By doing this it makes the freeze/thaw much better! Less water means less chance of freezer burn developing and less "nastiness" when it's thawed out.

This will last me eaily 6 weeks if not longer. I freeze in 3-4 day portions.

[JP]

woo hoo!!! Thats how I cook the beans here too. If I soak them and they get soft the fids won't eat them.