Bach's Rescue Remedy

[johngreene]

It was suggested that I try giving my aggressive Female RS Eclectus Bach's Rescue Remedy to calm her down and also stop the feather plucking. I have been able to find numerous articles about people who have used it for themselves, and used on dogs, cats, and horses but only one article about a woman who used it on a severly plucked CAG, along with a blue listerine spraying followed by an aloe vera gel spraying. The ingredients lists ACTIVE INREDIENTS: 5x dilution of Helianthemum nummularium HPUS, Clematis vitalba HPUS, Impatiens glandulifera HPUS, Prunus cerasifera HPUS, Ornithogalum umbellatum HPUS. INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Alcohol. The alcohol content is 27%. Is this safe to give to birds to stop aggression and feather plucking.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

AviCalm active ingredient is theonine, a green tea derivative, so it should be safe as long as the caffeine is limited.  

Bach's Remedies are safe also, since you would be giving such a small amount.  If you are concerned with the alcohol I gave you the directions to eliminate the alcohol in my previous answer.

Read the other feather picking question that was posted recently.  You must first eliminate all physical causes for feather picking before assuming that it is behavioral!

[johngreene]

The person who told me about the Bach's stuff breeds Macaws, Greys, Amazon's and Ekkies and has used it but I'm still worried. Is AviCalm a good product for calming birds? I just seen that on the internet and it has no alcohol, so I ordered some because I am unsure of the alcohol cont. inthe Bachs.  When in doubt don't do it>

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Many holistic remedies can be used on birds safely.  

The alcohol is added to the formula to increase the shelf life.  You can eliminate the alcohol from the formula by gently heating it on a range or stove top until you can smell the alcohol vaporize.  As soon as the alcohol vaporizes remove it from the stove and pour into a glass or ceramic bowl to cool.  It will take less than one minute.  Once the formula cools pour it back into the bottle using a funnel.  You will have to store it in the refrigerator after you remove the alcohol.  It will last for 6 months refrigerated.

Other holistic formula's that are safe for your bird are: Nettles formula, and a chinese formula called: San Ren Tang, for example.  Acupuncture is also very helpful for feather picking,