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Unfortunately, birds can have as many problems with obesity as humans; however, if you make sure your bird has the correct diet and amount of activity, he should be okay.
First of all, if you make sure you are giving your bird proper nutrition, you won't have to be too worried about him becoming obese. Bird foods should have a variety of things in them including dried fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Each one of these ingredients gives the bird different nutrients. Birds love seeds and sometimes seeds are the only thing your bird will eat. If this is the case, make sure that you supplement their diet with vitamins and minerals so they can develop properly. If you don't want to worry about giving your bird supplements, Premier Foods have optimal nutrition as well as probiotics and lecithin to help with fat digestion and decrease risk of obesity and health issues related to obesity.
Obesity can lead to health problems if it gets out of control. If you believe your bird may be overweight, there are a few techniques you can use to see for sure. The best way to tell if your bird is obese is to look at the breast muscle. There is a bone called the keel in the middle of the breast and the breast muscles are on either side. If your bird is overweight, the keel will not be the most prominent thing in the middle of the breast and your bird will have "cleavage".
You can also look for fat right beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat). There are parts on your bird which are not feathered, and one of them is at the side of the neck at the base of the jaw. If you part the feathers at this point, you can usually see the jugular vein easily. If you can't see the vein easily or there is a yellowish tint underneath the skin, your bird is probably getting a little too fat.
Another clue that your bird is carrying a little too much weight is if your bird gets out of breath easily after a short period of activity.
Your bird can get diseases relating to obesity as well. One such example is fatty liver syndrome. They are also more susceptible to arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. Make sure to weigh your bird regularly so you can monitor his weight and make any changes in your bird's diet and activity level to prevent the premature loss of your bird due to obesity.
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