Should I be alarmed?

[Phyllis]

Howdy, Y'all! I'm not sure if I should be alarmed or not, but yesterday, when I went home at lunch to check on the birdies, Frankie had somehow chewed on something that made silver glitters in his paper on the bottom. I couldn't really figure out what it came from, but I went ahead and gave him a big dollop of peanut butter just in case he swallowed some. His poop was a little weird this morning, but not something that would concern me if I had not seen the glitters in his cage. Otherwise, he is his normal nutty self. What do you think?

[Michelle & Fids]

I guess I would watch him to how he acts and how his droppings continue to look. Is his cage powder coated? It is possible the flakes are small paint shavings? My biggest thing would be what it was so you know he isn't continuing to get it.

[Phyllis]

Originally Posted by Michelle & Fids

I guess I would watch him to how he acts and how his droppings continue to look. Is his cage powder coated? It is possible the flakes are small paint shavings? My biggest thing would be what it was so you know he isn't continuing to get it.

His cage is powder coated, but these flakes were shiny like chrome finish. The only thing I could think of he could have got it from was a chain I had in there from a toy. I couldn't see where anything was missing from it, but I took it out anyway and I don't see any more sparkles today. His poop between this morning and lunch looks perfectly normal. I'm probably just being paranoid, but he's my heart.

[Michelle & Fids]

It does sound like the flaking of a chain. Glad he seems to be doing good and poops look good. Another Parront suffering from PMS (Paranoid Mom Syndrome), don't worry I do it all the time.

[Phyllis]

Originally Posted by Michelle & Fids

Another Parront suffering from PMS (Paranoid Mom Syndrome), don't worry I do it all the time.

I wonder if they have an app for that?

[Phyllis]

Well, no more glitter in the cage. I closely examined the chain and it was fine, BUT, there was a ring soldered on one end to keep the blocks on it and part of it was rough to the touch and not quite as shiny as the rest of it. I'm going to bet my last nickel that I have found the culprit. Now to get my vet on the phone in the morning and ask whether we should do anything for Frankie or just wait and see. Anyone know a home test I can do to tell if it is nickel or zinc plating on that ring?

[Bob]

Probably isn't nickel plated, its an expensive process so i doubt that was done to that ring.