🍶A Special Needs Gift: Tink
We know people in the parrot world, and one gave us a 🦜 Green Cheek Conure (GCC) because he couldn’t sell her. He explained that she probably had been learning to fly and hit a wall, causing some neurological damage. The affect is that she has a hard time controlling her feet, so she often falls in her cage. She can’t perch, and her modified cage has no perch, but she climbs the walls. She likes to go up as high as she can, as do all parrots, so we gave her a wired-platform she could rest on. She also started having seizures – which were hard to watch. I didn’t know if she was dying… she would turn her head — or maybe it was involuntary — and cause her body to flip over. She was unstable, to say the least. She also began fluttering her wings uncontrollably, even though she seems to know that she can’t fly. Bottom line, she has seizures and can’t control her body well.
Socializing A Special Needs Counure
One of the most important things any parrot owner needs to know is that they are highly social animals; in nature, depending on the species, they all live in flocks of 4 or 5 up to hundreds (maybe more). Even though they pick their bonded mate, they still rely on and are a part of a flock. It gives them their security and a place to belong. Umbrella cockatoos, for example, are so compassionate and flock-oriented, that they will not abandon a dying member, but rather stay with it until it is gone.
If you spend time with your parrot, you can easily give them a buddy, because they are accustomed to spending 24/7 with flock mates, or at least their bonded mate. So, what to do with Tink? Because conures don’t seem to share the compassion. We tried having her spend time with a new baby GCC, Markle, which was great– at first. Putting new parrots together always requires a watchful eye until you are certain that they will get along. People often put them in cages side by side first, so that they can safely get to know each other.
You can see that we only put these two together in our presence.
At first it was so sweet: Tink was preening Markley, which means that she was helping remove the shafts from her new feathers. It’s a grooming, loving thing that they do for one another.
Unfortunately, the next time we put them together, Markle started biting at Tink. Now this is tricky, you want to watch that no harm is done but you also want to allow any natural ‘pecking order’ that is being established. It’s a bird-peck-bird world with these guys!
Another attempt to put them together a couple of days gave us similar results. In any case, Markle’s mate has been picked out, because of her coloring. So, she’s not Tink’s ultimate bond, and we just didn’t see bonding happening anyway.
How Do You Handle A Problem Parrot?
Parrots are amazing. My mom went to a new doctor, said she was snow-birding down here in Florida to be close to us– and she mentioned we have parrots. The doctor gave her a funny look, saying, ‘But, they aren’t good pets. They don’t cuddle.”
“You’d be surprised!” my mom answered, raising her eyebrows. “They do. Maybe more than cats!”
Parrots are highly intelligent, which you probably know. That can be amazing, allow you to develop an amazing bond with them– and it also seems to mean that they can have complex issues as well. Like Tink.
I’ve heard of parrots that scream or bite a lot; or parrots that pluck their feathers. You don’t hear much about other pets being nervous, depressed or anxious- but, unfortunately, it’s not uncommon with parrots. They require specialized 🥝 diets, specific minimum size cages, wooden perches that vary in size (the list goes on), — and — a lot of time and attention.
Anxiety and feather-plucking are bad enough, but what to do in a situation like Tink’s? In nature, she’d probably wound’t have survived one day. How do I help her, keep her happy and healthy — and from flipping violently?
Then my husband found CBD Oil
We started to research and have been finding that CBD oil has many benefits and could help Tink. CBD, cannabidiol is derived from the cannabis plant but lacks THC, the psychoactive component. Among other benefits, CBD seems to have neuroprotective properties, meaning that it helps the signaling systems in the brain, which help reduce seizures.
Sure enough, since Tink is young, we guess that she’s less than six months old, she seems to be doing well with the oil so far. Her seizures have greatly minimized and she seems “More aware and more conure-like. She sounds more like a conure,” my conure-crazed daughter said. I agree, Tink seems to be able to hold herself better, she is falling a lot less in her cage and she’s no longer freaking me out by turning her head 180 degrees, followed by a body flip-seizure!
Next I plan on trying the CBD with an African Grey who I adopted and who is plucked or has been plucked and an Orange-winged Amazon that is anxious.
CBD- Yes!
Like so many people, I strongly believe in more natural-based medicine. I also believe that food is our best medicine, and I like that help oil provides omega oils, which are needed to balance the ‘bad’ oils we eat. Same for parrots, seeds provide them with too many ‘bad’ oils, which can greatly affect their health.
In doing research for Tink, I was surprised to learn that seizures are common in parrots:
Seizures are reasonably common in birds and often observed in Amazon parrots, African grey parrots, budgies, canaries, finches and lovebirds. A seizure may result from any disorder in the brain that causes spontaneous electrical discharge in the nervous system. This electrical discharge causes a variety of involuntary body responses or alterations in behavior. A seizure is also referred to as a fit or convulsion.
No doubt a proper diet can help minimize health problems, but they still occur. I have also learned that head trauma is a cause for neurological problems in birds — although it seems obvious, logical.
In our family, we love parrots, so we are developed a CBD oil formulated for parrots because of Tink. We call it Tink’s CBD Oil. It feel so good to see her doing better, not swaying like she had been, and to see her get a sparkle in her eye! We want to be able to help other bird owners who’s bird may be having similar problems or having difficulties adjusting to a new home, going to the vet or plucking.
Happiness is having a happy parrot!
My 10 year old Green Check Conure has a tumor inside his mouth that is to dangerous to operate on, can CBD oil help shrink or make it disappear?
Honestly I don’t know, but it sounds like there is no reason not to try. I certainly have tried anything to help my parrots. Let me know how it goes, if you don’t mind. You can post here or on FB. Sending good intentions your fid’s way-
I have a GCC that is 10 years old. Her girlfriend mate died a few months ago and she is very hormonal and all alone. She’s become aggressive towards me
But not my husband. We had the thought of adding CBD’s because we both take them for a pain and recently found that they have Bird CBD’s now. I’m just wondering how much to give her because she only weighs 2.3 ounces which is a normal green cheek size. The products I’ve found seem to be dosed for the larger parrots. Any suggestions.
Our CBD oil, Tink’s Oil, recommends 3 drops. With Tink I watched how she was doing and tried to cut the dossage down to always give the least I could. If I needed to, I’d up the dossage.
Yes, a friend of mine had rotator cuff surgery and nothing helped except CBD oil.
Tink experienced less seizures, which was a great relief!
How do you administer the cbd?
Tink is easy, since she has a hard time moving. We just put a drop in her mouth with no problems.
If you have difficulty, you can try putting a drop on a favorite treat.
We just adopted/rescued an illigers macaw with neurological damage, said from yolk stroke? We are going to be trying cbd oil! We will document how well she does on it! Here’s hoping for the best!
Good luck – the CBD will also help if your parrot has pain. Let me know how it goes!
I give hemp oil to all 4 of my birds, double yellow headed amazon, green cheek conure, nanday, blue front amazon. All are rescues with various health and anxiety issues. Works well to calm them and relieve pain in my geriatric birds. Their feathers are looking good too!
That is super-awesome to hear! Are you giving a CBD in Hemp oil?
Hi! I am happy to have found this post. I have a green cheek conure. We have been together almost 10 years! He has been getting very aggressive and has a lot of anxiety. I am thinking of treating him with cbd oil. Can you please let me know the dosage you give Tink? Also, how do you give it to him?
Thank you!
Hello Liz, and welcome! I’m glad you found me too!
Tink received a drop or two – in her mounth. Sometimes the frequency was every other day, sometimes daily and then sometimes I would stop for a little while. I chose based on her seizures – if I could decrease the oil without the seizures increasing, I would.
In your case, I would give a drop or two on his favorite treat for a week or two and see if his aggression decreases. While you are giving him oil, be sure to reduce the seeds or seed-portion of his diet and increase the pellets/fresh vegetables.
Also make sure that there is no other cause you may want to address such as diet or a new bird. Do you have any idea what’s made him more aggressive? Does he have a parrot companion? Does he get let out of his cage for a significant amount of time every day?
Let me know how it goes too- Kalyn
Hi! I am happy to have found this post. I have a green cheek conure. We have been together almost 10 years! He has been getting very aggressive and has a lot of anxiety. I am thinking of treating him with cbd oil. Can you please let me know the dosage you give Tink? Also, how do you give it to him?
Thank you!
Hi Liz,
I gave Tink 1 to 3 drops, or so, depending on how I felt she was doing. Because she had seizures and could not fly, she easily allowed us to handle her so we dropped the drops right into her mouth.
I hope it helps your GCC – let me know how it goes!
Hello—What is your source for the CBD oil? I’ve found different sources, and some are just hemp oil (like Cann-Avia), and some are advertised as CBD (like That Pet Cure). My Senegal parrot started plucking about 2 years ago and is very antsy and sometimes aggressive. Vets couldn’t find a medical reason, and we tried anti-inflammatories and hormone shots, which didn’t work. I’ve been making sure he gets 12+ hours of complete darkness at night and regulating his diet, also giving him chamomile tea. It’s not helping. I want to try CBD as a next step (because the vet is now recommending Haldol or some other drug, and I am very hesitant to put him on something like that if I don’t have to).
Hello Jennifer –
I think it is wise of you to look at what the CBD is in. We are our own source because I wanted a good carrier.
Our Tink’s Oil is in Hemp.
I think everyone has to do what they think is best for their parrot; in my mom’s day, medicine was temporary to help the body restore health. That’s what I aim for. Hemp oil has the correct balance of Omegas, which helps a body stay balanced. The CBD, of course, helps relax so that there is balance and calming going on — hopefully 🙂
We offer Hemp Oil and CBD (Tink’s) at this link: https://parrotbliss.com/parrot_bliss_store/
I’m sure you and your vet already talked about other possible causes for your Seni’s behavior. Frankly, my male is aggressive with my female and I’ve had to separate them 🙁 But he’s not aggressive with other birds. He isn’t tame, but let’s me pet his head and beak within limits.
LMK how it goes with your Seni
I have a Maroon Bellied Conure and she started to have seizures about three months ago. I took her to the vet and all they said was that I needed to put her down. WELL to say the least THAT IS SO NOT HAPPENING!!! She only weighs 57grams.
I would like to give her the CBD oil ,but would like to know what brand is the best to use, so that I don’t get the watered down version. I do hope you can guide me in the right direction.
Put her down? That just hurts to hear-
I’m with you, I reduced my GCC’s seizures. Life’s challenging and seizures are terrible, but when we love our little guys, we can help them as best we can.
57 grams doesn’t sound bad, are MBC larger than GCC?
Frankly, I didn’t want watered down CBD oil either. We sell it in hemp oil, which is beneficial. Can’t say 100% THC-free, but pretty much. If you want to get a bottle, send a message on https://www.facebook.com/ParrotBliss – They are low dose, 100 mg, in a 30 ml bottle for $35 with shipping in the contiguous US.
Whether you get mine or not, LMK how it goes. Wishing your MBC all the best – I know it is tough to go though this with her.
My 23 year old Blue Crown Conure has had some issues with one of her feet that sometimes make it difficult for her to walk or climb on her cage and this often affects her ability to eat. Recently I decided to take a chance and add just two drops of CBD oil to her water bowl because she was clearly suffering and the result was improved movement and energy and improved appetite.
This is a very minimal amount of oil and has shown a significant result. At this time I see no reason not to continue this if it improves her quality of life.
I’m thrilled that you are writing about CBD oil and bird seizures. I have spent thousands of dollars (not to mention how much stress I have caused my African Grey) trying to find out what is causing them. Whatever her time left on this earthly plane is, I am not going to allow her to spend it seizing uncontrollably. I noticed a vast difference in stemming the seizures by using CBD oil. At one point, she was seizing every several times a day. Now, she can go a week to two weeks without having a seizure. I do use Vetri DMG Liquid, Endurance and Immune Support for Cats, Dogs and Birds. DMG is an adaptogen that helps the body cope with various forms of stress (the intensity of the seizures has lessened usgin DMG).
I like your attitude – there is no reason to let any creature suffer- Good for you for keeping at finding something to help her out. Watching the seizures with Tink was like being in an earthquake for me – and I had a similar experience, they greatly lessened.
Thank you for posting – would love if you kept me updated with your AG.
Kalyn