I can tell over the past month Molly, my female ekkie's skin is dry. She scratches the side of her head. I can see a little dander and I'm wanting to know what else I can do for her to give her skin more moisture. I said something to Dr. O the other day about it and she told me to add flax seed, not the oil because it can go rancid quick. So I just started buying the flax seed but would like to add something else. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions. I've increased her showers also, but it's still very, very cold here so I have to blow her dry a little which I hate doing because I know that will also lead to her having dry skin.

Looking forward to your suggestions.

zup has the same thing but hes actually got a blad patch because of it...my AV recommended i get aloe vera leaves squeeze the juice into water and pray him with it..zups good enough with me messing with him so ive started putting it directly on the skin twice a day and it has been working!

Oh, the joys of keeping parrots during the dry winter heating season!! Do you keep any humidifiers near her cage? I keep one running next to Cooper's cage and next to Izzy's and Charlie's cage -- they are located in the same room as my other parrots (except the caiques) so the rest benefit from the increased humidity too. I just bought a couple of those Vick's vaporizers last year and fill them up every night. They put out quite a bit of moisture and are very cost effective.

Also, you might try grinding your flax seeds in a coffee grinder into a mealy type mixture and incorporate into some bird bread. If your ekkie is like mine, she will eat the bread right up!! Now, if I could just figure out how to get more food into my 'too (yes, I'm whining again -- she's just simply the pickiest eater I've ever seen).

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I'll have to look into the aloe. She doesn't have any bald patches yet, but I'm afraid if I don't do something quick she will.

Kelly, I just bought a couple of those Venta humidifier filters (well a couple of months ago). I have the huge one sitting between Molly and Murray's cage. Those two are the ones that seem most effected by the heat. Grinding the flax seed is a superb idea. I'll try that one first.

I add Aloe gel to the water. Its good for them inside and out. I add a couple times a week and it almost guarantee's Sophie will take a bath in her water bowl.

I add flax seed to my guys cooked food also. But good high fat treats (in moderation)work from the inside out. Like walnuts, pine nuts, and safflower seeds! Once again, the Red Palm Oil is an all natural way to help their bodies promote their own natural oils right from the the Uropygial gland! We also have a high end whole house humidifier on our central heat system. Im sure that helps.

Hi Lara,

I have severe allergies and need to run a dehumidifier in my house, so I take extra steps to combat dry skin with my birds. Flax seeds are always sprinkled over their fresh food mix each night, and I mist them with George's Distilled Aloe spray after each shower. These are my two biggest tools, but Red Palm Oil is also great. If they get a bald spot on their heads (usually during a molt), I rub some warm water and GSE into the spot, and the bare spot fills in quickly. I have also started giving one whole almond each night as a treat. The natural oil in the almond is very good for dry skin. Fish oil is another great one! I take the capsules to ease knee pain, so occasionally I will grab a capsule from the fridge and squeeze in onto their birdie bread or over their cooked food. I typically feed salmon, though. They love it, and it is a much more natural alternative.

Good luck!
Angie

Those are some fantastic tips Angie, thank you. Yes, I have noticed Molly looking like she may be developing a bald spot on the side of her head. GSE? I didn't know that would act as a moisturizer. I'll try it.

Lara, I have been battling the same thing here. I have increased the amount of baths and it seems to be helping. I do the RPO once a week anyway. Be careful with the GSE though. I imagine if it got in their eyes it would be very painful. You can also try using Aloe in their spray water for mist baths. That will help. If you use the Aloe Vera Detoxifying Formula, you can actually add that to your spray bottle.

It's interesting reading all this. I am amased using ACV would help with dry skin. I would have said its great for a bacteria problem. Using aloe also can dry the skin. Plus bath to much can wash the natural oils away.

No I not picking just seems strange to me that it has worked for you..

Omega 3 6 and 9 are great to use. Thats the flax seed and almonds.. 9 is coconut...