I got oil on my bird's feathers. Now what?

[Chichireeo]

I saw that his legs and feet looked a bit dry, so i decided to put some oil on those legs. I used fish oil and got some on his feathers on the underside, because he kept tucking his leg in, and when reaching for his legs, my fingers spread some oil on his feather.
When he went to bed just now, his feathers around there was still somewhat in clumps. Did i mess up badly? The legs look great, though.
Tomorrow should i try to clean him with some kind of soap? I'll offer a bath, but he drinks the bath water so i can't put detergent in that.

[cindy]

I would use caution with fish oil since it can go rancid quickly. If you need to use oil then try mineral oil.

As far as cleaning him, you will need to be very careful not to use something to harsh and irritating. You will need to rinse him well and set a warming lap near a perch so he does not get chilled.

What were you going to use on him?

[Chichireeo]

I don't think i'll do any more oil. It was not easy. I learned my lesson.

I was thinking of using Dawn like they used on wild water birds when there's an oil spill. I don't know. Can I try a clay bath? The clay they sell as mineral supplement and grit for birds. I put it on dry, like I've seen wild birds roll around in dirt, would that take off some oil?

[Sally]

I wouldn't worry about it. Don't put any detergent in his water or on him. Just give him his normal bath water, he will bathe, preen, and eventually it will wear off. You would do much more harm trying to get the oil off. Those wild birds are so coated with oil that they cannot fly, plus their skin is totally coated, so they have to be washed--your bird is not in the same situation.

[cindy]

I would not do a clay bath....it would be best to clean the oil off the feathers and body, the clay may clump and block the pores when combined with the oil.

I would clean the bird first and let the skin and feathers return to normal. If you are thinking of a dry clay bath I honestly have not heard of finches, canaries doing dry baths. Most finches and canaries prefer a water bath. Unless the clay is specifically for finches/canaries I would avoid using it a a bath. Macaws and parrots require certain minerals and supplements often found in clays.

[Chichireeo]

Ok, i'll offer him his regular bath tomorrow morning and see what he can do himself. It's just the area near his legs, where he can reach.
And then what about the fish oil going rancid on him? I was stupid not to have considered that. Would apple cider vinegar in the bath water help? I don't want to mess up further.

[cindy]

You can add a tiny bit, try it...I use 1tsp to 1 gallon when I mae ups the mix for drinking. Drop about 1 to 2 drops in the bath. Some birds will not drink or bathe in it. My Lavendars usually bathe in regular water but will not bathe in the AC water. All the rest of my birds drink it and bathe in it.

[Chichireeo]

My bird looks a lot better now, but i can tell it still bothers him. He didn't sing as much this morning. He bathed twice.