Posting on an introductory thread about Eclectus parrots prompted me to add this one. Sorry, I forget who it was, but someone (Wendy?) recommended aloe vera to help with skin irritation at moult time. We took on that recommendation and bought Fushi branded organic aloe vera liquid.
The main reason why I am posting this is that unfortunately, the Fushi website always seems to be out of stock - it's a popular product - but I did find the same product on Amazon and with Prime delivery, it was the same price (£11) for 500ml. It can even be delivered same day if ordered before midday.
It has to be filtered if used in a spray. I used a paper coffee filter and it seems to work well - no clogging of the spray. We mix it half and half with water. Once the bottle has been opened, it needs to be stored in the 'fridge, where we also store the mixed spray.
Our Eclectus Frankie gets a proper shower soaking once a week, but we mist him every day to encourage preening. We start with water and when he opens his wings, we then use the aloe spray. We only give a light aloe spray as it can build up on the feathers making them look quite dull. With his wings open we can focus the spray closer to his skin, which is where it is needed. We don't worry about the spray being cold (from the 'fridge) as it is such a fine mist that it will very quickly warm to room temperature as it hits the air. It certainly doesn't seem to bother Frankie.
Frankie plucked his feathers when with his previous carers. Thankfully, we have seen no evidence of that since he has been with us. His new feathers are coming through and we're doing what we can to encourage him to keep them - the aloe vera seems to contribute to that.
The main reason why I am posting this is that unfortunately, the Fushi website always seems to be out of stock - it's a popular product - but I did find the same product on Amazon and with Prime delivery, it was the same price (£11) for 500ml. It can even be delivered same day if ordered before midday.
It has to be filtered if used in a spray. I used a paper coffee filter and it seems to work well - no clogging of the spray. We mix it half and half with water. Once the bottle has been opened, it needs to be stored in the 'fridge, where we also store the mixed spray.
Our Eclectus Frankie gets a proper shower soaking once a week, but we mist him every day to encourage preening. We start with water and when he opens his wings, we then use the aloe spray. We only give a light aloe spray as it can build up on the feathers making them look quite dull. With his wings open we can focus the spray closer to his skin, which is where it is needed. We don't worry about the spray being cold (from the 'fridge) as it is such a fine mist that it will very quickly warm to room temperature as it hits the air. It certainly doesn't seem to bother Frankie.
Frankie plucked his feathers when with his previous carers. Thankfully, we have seen no evidence of that since he has been with us. His new feathers are coming through and we're doing what we can to encourage him to keep them - the aloe vera seems to contribute to that.
although expensive 
