James Harris, DVM
Parrots can enjoy occasional chicken bone
 My cockatoo and my slightly overweight yellow-nape Amazon love chicken and they love to eat the marrow out of the bones, which I give them almost every day. Last week the vet found a fatty tumor in the middle of the yellow-nape's back. She aspirated it and sent the fluid to the lab and said it was okay, but now I'm worried that too many chicken bones are giving my birds high cholesterol.
-- Donna Bourne, Sycamore, Ill.
 Yes, indeed, most parrots love to chew on bones and eat the marrow. I feed my own bird chicken bones, but not every day. Obesity is a common problem in caged Amazons and cockatoos and marrow is fattening, as are seeds. It wouldn't hurt to reduce the number of chicken bones and seeds you feed and increase green vegetables and fruit. You might also consider
converting your birds to a formulated pelleted diet, supplemented by vegetables. I discuss a conversion strategy at the bottom of this article.
James Harris, DVM is owner and medical director of the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia. He founded Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, Calif., and has served as medical director and chairman of the board for the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Berkeley. Dr. Harris' numerous professional honors include California and National Bustad Companion Animal DVM Awards.
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