Ok, I need some help. I took Molly my ekkie into the clinic with me today for a set of stains and a check up. Dr. O ended up finding out that Molly's calcium level is low, low enough she's concerned about it being that low. Molly's also seriously overweight. 404 grams. I was a little embarrassed about her weight and her weight gain since the last time I had her in. We are modifying her diet and putting her on a weight loss diet. I have also started treating her for a bacterial infection.

I wanted to ask what foods do you suggest that I feed to increase her calcium level? I do the hard boiled eggs with the shell on already and am willing to consider any other possibilities at this point.

I also was just reading through the past eclectus threads. I've heard about the toe tapping but have not checked into it. What causes that? She doesn't do it, but I want to make sure she doesn't start. Also I read that people had mentioned wing flipping. I have noticed over the past month she has started this. What causes this?

I am here and will sit back and listen. Thanks in advance.

This from Land of Vos: "There are causes other than excess vitamins and minerals. Some of the suspected causes of toe tapping and wing flipping are calcium deficiency, metal toxicity, pesticide overload, chemicals, and food allergies."

From an Aves International article by Laurella Desborough and Brian Speer, DVM, titled Toe Tapping from the Combined Perspectives of an Eclectus Owner and an Avian Veterinarian: "Recommendation for initial correction of Toe Tapping": "Remove from the diet ALL pellets, vitamin powders, vitaminized seed mixes, vitaminized treats, spirulina and other herbal mixtures, processed human foods such as commercial bread mixes, pasta, processed cheese, pizza, TV dinners, and any food item which contains man-made vitamins, preservatives or chemicals of any kind. Read the ingredients on packages carefully to make sure that these items are effectively and completely being removed from the diet.

Provide food items in their most natural form only, well cleaned and fresh or cooked. Yes, Eclectus Parrots need vitamin A, but they do best when their vitamin A comes in the natural form of betacarotene."

Nate, thank you for your quick reply. So I see that the calcium deficiency could be the reason for the calcium defeciency. Thank you.

Laura I am so sorry to hear about Molly's bad vet visit. I haven't got my eckie yet, but have been doing lots of reading, so I hope you don't mind me answering too? This is something I came across of my hunt for answers about Eclectus diets, hope it helps cause I'm no expert Taken from:326 Zoological Medicine, Spring and Fall 2004 - OpenCourseWare - Tufts University Calcium deficiency is very common in pet birds. Treatment of chronic calcium deficiency merely requires dietary correction, and administration of oral calcium with or without concurrent administration of vitamin D. Calcium deficiency has also been linked with low levels of Vitamin D3 in a birds diet.

Sources of Dietary Calcium
Cuttlebone, Dairy products
(ground) Oyster shell, Commercial diet (I think that means pellets not sure?)
Fresh vegetables , Mineral supplement
Broccoli, spinach and kale (as well as other green leafy veggies) are high in calcium.
I give my ringies hard boiled egg and ground shell every few days, as well as slivers of almond and other nuts and seeds (they get a treat of seed daily) too,along with their veggies, rice/bean/fruit mana mash mix.

Just out of curiosity what kind of 'weight loss' diet is she on? I haven't ever seen one of those so was wondering?
I hope she gets better soon, poor thing being on a diet sucks (I know cause I am constantly on one )

Katey,
I welcome your information and thank you for the information you have supplied. This too is big help.

Well, Dr. O told me to switch her on to the Lafebers Nutri-an Cakes (foraging and weight maintenance). It's only sold through vets. I'm to feed her a small amount of this, a couple of nutriberries and the rest fresh food. She's gonna be so bummed.

Lara, I had to support calcium when Kita was laying quite a few eggs. I really pushed the Almonds. They have the highest calcium content of all the tree nuts and are relatively low in fat.

Nutrients in 100 Grams of Almonds:
Calories - 580
Protein - 21 g
Calcium - 248 mg

LINK: Nutrients in Tree Nuts

Ollie isn't great about eating her fresh foods, although I try my hardest. She is on pellets, and she does get about 5-7 almonds a day. She just had a vet visit, and her calcium levels are good. I agree that almonds are a great source of calcium.

I've also heard that you can scrape some cuttlebone over their food for added calcium, if they won't eat directly from the cuttlebone - do larger birds normally get a cuttlebone? It's usually mentioned for the smaller birds as an added source of calcium - Jerry and Lulu both love theirs, especially Lu.

Dakota has one in his cage at all times, but I've never given one to Ollie. I've never really heard of them being used for the bigger guys- maybe its because they can have the larger, calcium-filled nuts in their diet?

Thanks for the info guys. So, I've good some good tips to use here. Molly gets almond slivers in her morning mash. Guess she'll be getting the shelled ones now as foraging treats for her. Suppose I'll head out and grab a couple of cuttlebones for her cage tomorrow too.

I really appreciate the help. Today was a slap in the face wake up call for me.