Expert: Harvel Scott - 7/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have been given a lutino cockatiel (I think its a male) and the past owners were giving it pellets and millet, which he eats both. My other 3 tiels eat seeds, millet, veggies and fruit. The lutino won't try any new foods like greens or fruit, but I'm concerned about his runny droppings. Could this be stress or his diet of pellets?
Thank you for your time. Julie

ANSWER: give the bird 3 food dishes one withe pellets, the other with seed ans the other with vegies and fruits. in the morning you remove the pellet dish for about 3 hours . if you continue to rotate the birds food dishes like this their should be no problem.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm sorry, I was more concerned about the runny droppings. Is there something I can add to his water or seed to correct this, or should I increase his seeds? Other than millet, he hasn't had any seed that I know of. Now I wonder if he is a she? Being a lutino, I can't see any bars, but I do feel a space under the vent. My other females have a space, and my young male (grey) is close together. Is this a reliable way to sex birds?

Answer
sorry but this is outside my expertise: email the diet you are currently feeding the bird on to pets.exotic@yahoo.com where i will have another expert answer you.

Check out my website at http://exoticpetinfo.webs.com/ where you can get lost of lots of info you can also amke request.