[GrandmaLil]

Saw a bump on Pip’s head and took him to the vet about six months ago. Turned out it was just food which he somehow gets stuck at the base of some feathers. Now there is some there again. Any recommendations on anything I can use to soften this up? Maybe baby oil, olive oil? He lets me pick at it, but it’s stuck. Pretty sure it’s just stuck on his feathers.
He is absolutely fine otherwise.

 

[Anya]

I would just try some warm water and a paper towel to soften it. I would not use olive oil - you don't want that all over their feathers. It would be difficult to remove.

 

[GrandmaLil]

Thank you. I hadn’t thought of a paper towel. Not sure if he will tolerate that but I will try it. This should be interesting. I’m not sure how he manages to do this. The first time he did it, I took him to the vet. I thought he had hurt himself because he had what looked like a bump. Maybe I should crochet him a little hat to wear when he’s eating (a bib for his head). Lol

 

[Anya]

Any luck? Just wondering how it went. Do you have any fingers left? lol That is so funny about crocheting Pip a little hat! The image cracks me up! It is too bad you can't Scotchgard him! It makes me think of the early days when I had Cleopatra, and thought she had some kind of growths in the corners of her beak. I sent my breeder a picture and he replied that it could be food. Yup. Earlier that day I had given her a date to eat, and with them being so sticky and such, parts of it had attached to the corner crevices of her beak. It scared me, and like you, I was about to take her to the vet. lol

 

[ozzie3860]

Seems like regular baths might should be helpful. Does Pip shower regularly?

 

[GrandmaLil]

Thanks for the replies. I’m thinking he just might need some bathing encouragement. Turns out it is time for his check up anyway, so I’m going to let the vet get bitten. We’re going on Tuesday.
I haven’t noticed him bathing all that often. I’m thinking a warm water spray might help.