I have three wonderful birds. They are all healthy, happy, very colorful and shiny! My canary, Bhakti, is about seven years old and a little "fatty" according to my vet. But he is generally in good health. Bhakti has a younger mate, named Luna, who is about a year old. I also have a lovebird named Loki. Loki is the name of a Viking god known to be a trickster, with a violent streak. It is an appropriate name for my lovebird. She is great entertainment. The canaries sing and the lovebird tries to talk. She does a "woo-woo" which I think is her trying to say "Lo-ki." She thinks that's our "flock call." I have learned to speak lovebird.

My birds have a very healthy diet. They get at least two different fruits and vegetables a day, in addition to their seed. Dandelion, kale and broccoli are "faves", as well as figs, any fruit, cooked yams and carrots. They also like fresh basil and oregano. I give them a little of whatever herbs I have.

Bhakti developed bumpy skin around his eyes and also had brittle nails and scaly legs. It occurred to me he might have a systemic fungal infection, sort of a "birdy athlete's foot."

So, I started putting ionic colloidal silver in both his drinking and bath water. I had tried a liquid antibiotic first that my vet gave me, but it had to be changed everyday, or it got nasty. I work all weekend and could not keep that schedule, so I tried ionic colloidal silver. It does not spoil or get nasty. It also doesn't taste weird, so the birds will drink it. It worked great! In about 2 months, Bhakti's nails were no longer brittle, his legs were less scaly and the bumpy skin around his eyes was smooth. The bumpy skin had been causing his feathers to fall across his eyes, so he was squinting.

I was surprised that his skin condition not only cleared up but his energy level went up too!