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 DROPPINGS (POOP) & NUTRITION 
*IF AT ANY TIME OR FOR ANY REASON YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT GIVING MEDICAL CARE*, CALL/CONSULT ANY VETERINARIAN. *TAKE NO RISKS !!!*
WHAT CAUSES CHANGES DROPPINGS:
The following is based on a diet of a mixture of particular brands of high-quality seed mix currently in use chosen after years of carefully investigating nutritional value and "preference". The products listed can be used as reference, and all are available on-line from various sources.
This page is provided as a reference and not to be used as a substitute for any professional veterinary service.
IN ALL CASES WHERE DROPPINGS CHANGE FOR MORE THAN SEVERAL DAYS, IN COLOUR, COMPOSITION, CONSISTENCY, PROMPT PROFESSONAL ATTENTION IS URGED!
PRODUCT: Witte Molen PURE Parakeet Gourmet Seed Mixture
The ingredient list for this mix includes: Seeds: Linseed (flaxseed), safflower seeds, millet (yellow, white, red), canary seed, oat groats.
Fruits: Apple, potentially other dried fruits like papaya or orange (noted in treat sticks).
Other components: Crushed oyster shells, egg and egg derivatives, cereals, derivatives of vegetable origin, minerals, oils and fats, various sugars, prebiotics.
Analysis of Ingredients That May Cause Green Faeces:
Several components in the Witte Molen PURE Parakeet mix could contribute to green, moist droppings due to their pigments, oil content, or effects on digestion:
Linseed (Flaxseed):
Potential for Green Colour: Flaxseeds contain chlorophyll in their outer hulls, which can impart a green hue to droppings, especially if consumed in significant quantities. The hulls are not always fully digested, and their pigments can pass through the digestive tract.
Moisture Contribution: Flaxseeds are high in oils (rich in omega-3 fatty acids), which can lead to softer, moister droppings. Excessive oil can loosen the stool, making it appear more liquid.
Likelihood: Common in parakeet mixes and a probable contributor to green, moist droppings if the bird favours these seeds.
Safflower Seeds: Potential for Green Colour: Safflower seeds have a mild pigment profile, but their hulls can contain trace chlorophyll or other plant compounds that may contribute to greener droppings, though less intensely than flaxseed.
Moisture Contribution: These seeds are moderately high in fat, which can increase the moisture content of faeces, especially if over-consumed relative to other ingredients.
Likelihood: A secondary contributor compared to flaxseed, but still relevant if parakeets selectively eat these.
Millet (Yellow, White, Red): Potential for Green Colour: Millet varieties, particularly if they include green-hulled types, may contribute to green-tinted droppings due to minor chlorophyll content in the hulls. However, millet is typically less impactful than flaxseed or safflower for green colouration.
Moisture Contribution: Millet is lower in fat than flaxseed or safflower, so it’s less likely to cause excessively moist droppings unless paired with high-water-content foods like fruits.
Likelihood: Less significant for green colour but could contribute if green-hulled millet is present in the mix.
Apple (Dried): Potential for Green Colour: Dried apple pieces, noted in the mix, may contain green skin remnants, which have chlorophyll. While not a primary source, large amounts could subtly influence faecal colour.
Moisture Contribution: Fruits, even dried, have higher water content than seeds, which can soften droppings. If the bird consumes apple pieces frequently, this could contribute to the moist texture observed.
Likelihood: A minor contributor to green colour but relevant for moisture.
Other Potential Ingredients (e.g., Papaya, Orange in Treat Sticks):
Potential for Green Colour: While not explicitly listed in the main seed mix, related Witte Molen products (e.g., treat sticks) include papaya, which can have green skin components with chlorophyll. If similar ingredients are in the gourmet mix, they could contribute to green droppings.
Moisture Contribution: Fruits like papaya or orange increase dietary water content, leading to softer, moister droppings.
Likelihood: Possible if the mix includes unlisted fruit components similar to those in treat sticks.
Prebiotics and Oils/Fats: Potential for Green Colour: Prebiotics (e.g., inulin) and oils/fats don’t directly cause green colour but can affect digestion, potentially amplifying the visibility of pigments from other ingredients by altering stool consistency.
Moisture Contribution: Prebiotics can increase water retention in the gut, leading to looser, moister droppings. Oils and fats (unspecified in the mix) could further soften stools.
Likelihood: Indirectly contributes by enhancing moisture, making green pigments more noticeable.
Conclusion:
The most likely ingredients in the Witte Molen PURE Parakeet Gourmet Seed Mixture contributing to green, moist droppings are linseed (flaxseed) and safflower seeds, due to their chlorophyll-containing hulls and high oil content, which can soften stools. Millet and dried apple may play a secondary role, particularly if green-hulled millet or apple skins are prominent. Prebiotics and oils/fats could enhance the moist texture, making green pigments more apparent. To confirm, observe if your bird favours specific seeds and consider balancing the diet with pellets or fresh vegetables to reduce seed-related effects.
If the droppings remain consistently green and watery or other symptoms appear, consult an avian veterinarian to rule out health issues.
PRODUCT: Kaytee Forti-Diet (Pro Health Dove):
Ingredients: Likely includes millet, canary seed, oat groats, ground corn, wheat, safflower, and added vitamins/minerals (e.g., calcium, omega-3 from flax). It may also include probiotics or DHA for health.
Contribution to Green Droppings:
Flaxseed (if present) could contribute to green, moist droppings, but the quantity is typically lower than in the Witte Molen Parakeet mix.
Safflower may add minor pigments.
Moisture: Probiotics and flaxseed oils could soften droppings slightly, but this mix is designed for doves, so it’s more balanced and less likely to cause extreme moisture compared to the Parakeet mix.
PRODUCT: Petco Healthy Select (Dove/Small Bird Blend):
Ingredients: Likely includes millet, canary seed, safflower, and possibly some fruit or vegetable components (common in Petco’s “healthy” blends). Exact composition varies, but it’s formulated for doves or small birds.
Contribution to Green Droppings: Safflower or any green-hulled seeds could contribute minimally to green colour. If it includes dried fruits or vegetables, these might add moisture but are less likely to cause green pigments.
Moisture: Similar to Kaytee Dove Supreme, this mix is likely balanced for doves, contributing to firmer, browner droppings during the day.
Additional Considerations:
Dietary Balance and Selective Feeding:
Birds generally often pick favourite seeds (e.g., flaxseed or safflower) over others, which can skew the impact on droppings. If your bird is selectively eating high-fat or chlorophyll-rich seeds like flaxseed, this could explain the green, moist droppings. A balanced diet with pellets, vegetables, and limited seeds can reduce this effect.
Health Factors:
While ingredients are potentially the likely cause, consistently green, watery droppings could indicate health issues (e.g., bacterial infections, liver issues, or parasites) if accompanied by symptoms like lethargy or appetite loss. A vet visit is recommended if the issue persists beyond a few days or if droppings are porridge-like, as noted in one case.
Observations:
Some owners report doves rejecting larger pieces (e.g., dried apple) or favouring specific seeds, which aligns with selective feeding potentially increasing green pigment intake. Others note the mix is “clean” and “fresh,” suggesting quality ingredients but not ruling out pigment effects.
Why Greener and Moister Overnight, Browner During the Day?
Green, moist droppings overnight and browner, healthier ones during the day—can be explained by feeding and digestion dynamics:
Evening Feeding Behaviour:
Doves often eat more heavily before roosting. If your dove is selectively picking particular seeds from a mix (e.g., linseed or safflower) in the evening, these high-fat, chlorophyll-rich seeds dominate the overnight droppings, resulting in green, moist faeces. For example: a Parakeet mix, designed for budgerigars, is richer in oils than typical dove mixes, amplifying this effect.
Daytime Balance:
During the day, your dove likely consumes a more balanced mix of the other seed blends (Kaytee Dove Supreme, Forti-Diet, Petco Healthy Select as listed), which are formulated for doves and have lower fat and fewer green-pigmented seeds. This leads to browner, firmer droppings as the digestive system processes a broader range of ingredients.
Digestive Timing:
Overnight droppings reflect the last meal, which may be skewed toward the the chosen mix. As the day progresses, the dove’s digestive system processes a more varied diet, normalizing the droppings’ colour and consistency.
Is This Normal for a Dove?
Normal Scenario:
The green, moist droppings are likely normal if caused by the dietary shift toward the chosen mix, particularly due to linseed and safflower. Doves can tolerate varied seed diets, and temporary changes in dropping colour/consistency from diet are common, especially with high-fat or pigmented seeds.
Potential Concern:
Doves have specific nutritional needs (lower fat, higher grain content) compared to parakeets, and a Parakeet mix is richer than ideal for doves. Over time, excessive fat from linseed or safflower could lead to digestive upset or nutritional imbalances. If the green, moist droppings are excessively watery (e.g., like porridge) or accompanied by symptoms (lethargy, fluffed feathers, reduced appetite), it could indicate an issue like bacterial infection, liver stress, or parasites, warranting a vet visit.
Recommendations:
Adjust the Mix Proportion:
Reduce the proportion of Parakeet Seed Mixture in the blend (e.g., from 25% to 10-15%) to limit the intake of linseed and safflower. These seeds are nutritious but too rich for doves in large amounts. Increase the proportion of Kaytee Dove Supreme or Petco Healthy Select, which are formulated for doves.
Example Mix:
40% Kaytee Dove Supreme, 30% Petco Healthy Select, 20% Kaytee Forti-Diet, 10% Witte Molen PURE Parakeet.
Monitor Selective Feeding: Observe if your dove is picking out linseed or safflower from the Parakeet mix, especially in the evening. If so, consider offering the Parakeet mix sparingly as a treat rather than a staple to prevent overconsumption of high-fat seeds.
Introduce Pellets and Vegetables:
Add a high-quality dove pellet (e.g., Harrison’s, Roudybush, or ZuPreem for doves) to the diet to balance nutrition and reduce reliance on seeds. Pellets can stabilize droppings and minimize colour/consistency changes.
Offer small amounts of dove-safe vegetables (e.g., chopped spinach, carrots, or peas) to diversify the diet. Avoid overfeeding watery greens, as they can also soften droppings.
Check Dropping Consistency:
Normal dove droppings should have a formed, brownish faecal component with a white urate cap. Moist, green droppings are okay occasionally but should not be consistently watery or voluminous. Take a photo of the droppings for reference and monitor for changes over 2-3 days after adjusting the diet.
Veterinary Evaluation (If Needed):
If the green, moist droppings persist after reducing the Parakeet mix, or if they become excessively watery, foul-smelling, or accompanied by behavioural changes (e.g., reduced activity, weight loss), consult an avian veterinarian. They may recommend a faecal test to rule out infections or parasites.
Feeding Schedule:
To minimize overnight effects, offer the seed mix in the morning and a small portion of pellets or dove-specific seeds (e.g., Kaytee Dove Supreme) in the evening. This may reduce the dominance of the Parakeet mix in overnight droppings.
Conclusion:
The green, moist droppings overnight are likely caused by the Witte Molen PURE Parakeet Gourmet Seed Mixture, particularly its linseed and safflower seeds, which are high in fat and chlorophyll. Your dove may be selectively eating these seeds in the evening, leading to the observed pattern, while daytime feeding on the more dove-appropriate mixes (Kaytee Dove Supreme, Petco Healthy Select) results in browner, firmer droppings. This is likely normal but suggests the Parakeet mix is too rich for your dove’s daily diet. Reducing its proportion, balancing with pellets or vegetables, and monitoring feeding behaviour should normalize the droppings. If the issue persists or other symptoms arise, an avian vet visit is recommended.
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