Finally Trying AviCalm

[kendrafitz]

Well, I was resistant, very resistant. After 3 1/2 years I finally gave in and decided to try a supplement for Rosie's screaming.

I ordered her food yesterday and decided to order it as well. Rosie's screaming has been at an all time high this week. She will be sitting right next to me and let loose. She is actually making me physically jump and my nerves are shot. Maybe I need people calm. Lol.

They didn't have the smaller size of AviCalm, and I didn't want to invest in a huge size. But they did have AviTech Herbal Bird RX Relaxation and Calming Formula (antistress). So I got that since it is by the same company. Also ordered her some birdy vitamins and molting supplement.

Read the directions and decided to try just dropping some in her big beak. Not a great response...shook her head and got some on me and the walls. But she did swallow some and asked for more. I ended up just putting some drops in her water which is also listed as a method in the directions.

An hour later Ash and I are working on a school project with Rosie supervising. Jef comes down and talks to us. This is normally when Rosie starts screaming like a deranged banshee. But, this afternoon, NOTHING. Not a peep. She is acting normally otherwise, eating, chewing and muttering. Just no screaming at Jef. Fingers crossed, it would be so nice to have a little relief for all our ears. :)

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[spiritbird]

I am sorry she is bursting ear drums. Good thing you are not in an apartment. Rosie is high maintenance.

[wingman]

Glad it's working!!! Valium for Birds I need some for Rio she has been tearing up my hand!!!!!

[kendrafitz]

We went the whole evening without screaming. And I noticed she was playing with her toys more. Hoping it was the supplement and not just a coincidence. :)

[plax]

Your description of initial success makes me wonder if I should try the stuff on Maynard ;)

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Haha I reckon she has read the label and is just trying to lull you into a sense of false security. Good luck though.:th_smile:

[kendrafitz]

Jean-Pierre - you joke but I actually fear that may be the case. ;)

[Mare]

Yay! Wouldn't that be awesome if it kept up?! I use Avicalm on Sassy when she starts to chew on herself and it really does help, she's not so obsessed with picking on herself when I use it. I hope you have continued success :).

One thing I found, with Sassy, is her time for chewing is hormonal and I think it helps with that time. I quit using it when she seems to have gone through that period.

[kendrafitz]

Mare - I was thinking if it continues to work I will stop giving it to her after a while. If she starts screaming again then we will restart. But this is all assuming it continues to work. :)

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Has she started wearing a kaftan and putting flowers in her feathers?

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Your description of initial success makes me wonder if I should try the stuff on Maynard ;)

If the stuff is otherwise fine then there is nothing to lose by trying. :th_smile:

[Mare]

Has she started wearing a kaftan and putting flowers in her feathers?


Haha :). You may be thinking of a different drug :)

[kendrafitz]

Well, the drops stopped working. This was probably due to the fact I put it in her water and she only drinks a bit. She probably wasn't getting much.

When we ran out I ordered actual AviCalm. I had a hard time figuring out a way to get it in her. It is a powder. Since the water dish doesn't really work for us, I tried putting water/avicalm in a syringe. She was ok with that but had a great time flinging water all over us and the room. Not a great delivery method. I have been trying peanut butter but she didn't like the way it felt on her beak. Too sticky. Today I tried again but used less peanut butter. Success. She loved it. I didn't see a difference in her attitude, but we got it in her. It's a start, I'll take it!! ;)

I know peanuts are not good for parrots so I will get some almond butter. Fingers crossed. :)

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

We get Casper to take his meds by mixing it in a spoonfull of porridge (oatmeal).
Remember this?
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Porridge ([Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]) by Jean-Pierre Declemy ([Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]), on Flickr

[kendrafitz]

JP - I do remember that. :) Rosie doesn't like anything mushy touching her beak so we can't do oatmeal. I told her other parrots hold their own spoon this morning as I was holding hers. She didn't seem to care, she prefers to be waited on I guess. ;)

[kendrafitz]

So the peanut butter has lost her interest. Tried applesauce but it was too sticky for her. I was thinking 1/2 tsp of ice cream...

Any suggestions?

[Lady]

Did you try the almond butter? Here is an easy recipe I found doing a search if your interested: [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Dip a broccoli head in a bowl of the stuff? Or a cookie!

[kendrafitz]

Alice - I am going to try making it right now. Thank you!!!

[PlaxMacaws]

So the peanut butter has lost her interest. Tried applesauce but it was too sticky for her. I was thinking 1/2 tsp of ice cream...

Any suggestions?Kendra: Salsa is fanatical about warm hominy grits. He actually loves it as much as popcorn. I usually get the instant kind and use rice milk instead of water and then pop it in the microwave for 60 seconds. If you try it, obviously make certain that it cools enough before offering it to Rosie. The other thing would be cooked sweet potatoes/yams (the orange kind). Zaf has gotten to where he'll now readily eat those from a syringe. Best of luck!

[kendrafitz]

Thanks Tony. I will try yams again, with a syringe should help with her icky reaction. I wouldn't have thought of feeding them to her that way.

Is that how you are getting Zaffer to take his medicine?

[kendrafitz]

Alice - Rosie loves the taste but does not appreciate the dry mouth thing (same as peanut butter). Lots of stretching her mouth and looking at me as if I've fed her glue. :Ha:

I think it is awesomely delicious! I added some honey bc I like everything SWEET....yummy!! Thank you so much for the suggestion. I can't stop eating it.

[Sucre]

Do you feel it is working? I am about ready to try anything with Sucre. I've contemplated sharing a glass of wine with him. :th_biggrin:

[kendrafitz]

I would give it a shot. It helped a bit. For me the biggest problem is getting it in her. I can't seem to find something she loves so it takes FOREVER to get her to injest it.

I stopped giving it to Rosie this week bc my husband was away. When he isn't here, she is much calmer. I am going to start again bc we are back to lots of screaming.

[Karen]

Have you ever considered Essential Oils. I use them in a spray mixture, diffusion or just putting a few drops on my arm and then having the bird perch in that area so they are absorbed through the feet. I can't begin to tell you the immediate positive effect I see when using them. I use several for calming. I would be happy to share more, if this is something you think you may want to try or learn about.

[kendrafitz]

Have you ever considered Essential Oils. I use them in a spray mixture, diffusion or just putting a few drops on my arm and then having the bird perch in that area so they are absorbed through the feet. I can't begin to tell you the immediate positive effect I see when using them. I use several for calming. I would be happy to share more, if this is something you think you may want to try or learn about.
I am not sure how, but I completely missed this.

I would love for you to share more info. Thank you!!

[spiritbird]

Here are a few links on the use of EO with parrots. Very interesting subject.

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[Karen]

I am not sure how, but I completely missed this.

I would love for you to share more info. Thank you!!

So glad you posted to this thread again. I was going to post some information but couldn't find the thread.

I've been using Essential Oils for many years. I got my information and guidance from Dr. Melissa Shelton and Angela Nelson. Both have written books on the subject and Dr. Shelton has gone on to develop her own line of essential oils called AnimalEO. She has designed blends for the birds. Her AnimalEO site has a lot of info. Please read it all carefully.

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She has a lot of info available through her webinars too. Back when she guided me as to what oils to use for what, her information was all free, but unfortunately all that info has a price tag on it today. But I believe her prices are reasonable. I did read somewhere that she is not actively consulting but information can be arranged through her staff.

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What I was thinking would help Rosie was the misting spray for immediate calm, happiness and well-being;
20 drops Orange, 20 drops Lemon and 20 drops Lavender, distilled water in a 4 oz. glass spray bottle.
Dr. Shelton sells an AnimalEO blend called Feathered Blend NEAT that has this combo in it.

I swear by this combination. What you see immediately will be amazing.

Watch Emmett's touching story:
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** Just wanted to mention that when I mist my birds I do it lightly over them, so the mist falls down onto them. I don't mist it close right at them.

I use the H2EO® AirCare ULTRASONIC DIFFUSER but I DO NOT use the Plant Extracts Essential Oils. The diffuser comes with a free bottle of oil and I throw it out.

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This video can help you visualize the diffuser.
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I have been advised by Melissa Shelton and Angela Nelson to cycle diffusion;
three days on, then one day off
or
five days on, then two days off

Always watch them closely for any adverse reaction when first using a new EO. Be certain your chosen brand of EO is quality, pure and therapeutic grade. I prefer to use Young Living or AnimalEO's.

Once I am certain that my bird will not have an adverse reaction to an EO, I diffuse without worry and don't limit time.

I fill the diffuser with distilled water and use a drop or two of YL parrot safe essential oil. Like I said earlier I use the Plant Extracts Ultra Sonic Diffuser; it has settings so I can determine how much and how often it is diffused.

For the birds I use a Volume 2 (Medium) and Mode 4 setting; In Mode 4 your diffuser will diffuse intermittently: on for 15 seconds, then rest for 50 seconds, until low water level is reached, and it will automatically turn itself off.

Essential Oils have so many uses;
** For pain I use a combination of Frankinsense, Helichrysum and Copaiba
** For anti-bacterial and anti-fungal I use Thieves
** or a good mood, I diffuse Joy or Peace and Calming.
** The favorite for an over all peace and calm is; 20 drops Orange, 20 drops Lemon and 20 drops Lavender, distilled water in a 4 oz. glass spray bottle. Dr. Shelton sells an AnimalEO blend called Feathered Blend NEAT that has this combo in it.
** For being brave while at the vet I use Valor...sometimes I give some to the birds too. :adoration:
** We just got back from vacation with the 2 big Macs and while traveling I diffused Purification to safely clean the air in the Motel rooms and the vacation house.

[kendrafitz]

Thank you so much for the info! I ordered the feathered blend neat to use in their spray bottle. If she seems to respond well, I will get the diffuser. I am so thankful for the advice.

It has been rough going here lately. I just moved her Java tree to the other side of our family room. Away from the windows and closer to the kitchen. The movement outside seems like it is upsetting her lately, so I am hoping this helps a bit. It can be so difficult to problem solve when the one with the issue can't tell you exactly what the problem is.

[Karen]

Thank you so much for the info! I ordered the feathered blend neat to use in their spray bottle. If she seems to respond well, I will get the diffuser. I am so thankful for the advice.

It has been rough going here lately. I just moved her Java tree to the other side of our family room. Away from the windows and closer to the kitchen. The movement outside seems like it is upsetting her lately, so I am hoping this helps a bit. It can be so difficult to problem solve when the one with the issue can't tell you exactly what the problem is.

You're welcome, I hope it helps Rosie. Did you order a glass bottle? The EO's will break down a plastic bottle. I agree, most times it's trial and error to figure out the best solution. I can't tell you the number of late nights we have spent changing things around; only to change them right back because someone .......KADY, got their feathers ruffled.

[kendrafitz]

Yes, I ordered their glass spray bottle.

Kady sounds like a strong willed and highly opinionated guy. I know how that goes, Rosie is a great deal like Kady sounds. ;)

[Karen]

I wanted to mention another method that can be used with EO's. I use YOUNG LIVING VALOR when I take the birds to the Vet. I put a few drops on my forearm and rub it in lightly. When the bird stands on my forearm the EO will be absorbed through the bottom of their feet. It's very easy to give help to the bird without them even knowing. Perfect for the nervous nellies.

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[Karen]

Yes, I ordered their glass spray bottle.


Excellent! Please let me know how it goes. When I mist the birds I always make my voice soft but excited and tell them how wonderful it is. Their eyes pin in excitement!