'too crazy's feather-kids

[Squawksx3]

This is Barney... its wonderful to hear he's letting you give him kisses!!.. please give him lots from us!

What a sweetie..
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-1/588652/BarneyG2.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-1/588652/Barney2G2.jpg

[Squawksx3]

And here's beautiful Bailey...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-1/588652/Bailey.jpg

['too crazy]

To anyone who has not seen a Goffin cockatoo before...don't get scared, this is NOT what they should look like. Barney is an atrocious feather picker. Actually he looks good in the top picture. He no longer has any long feathers on either wing and those few beginnings of tail feathers are gone as well. We have a neighbor who says he looks like a sick chicken!:eek: Sometimes I have to agree. He was severly neglected and picked out of habit and I think it's a habit I'll never break but I have not given up. I think it would have been a great shot if he was fully feathered.

Thanks Jan, for posting my pictures for me once again. Maybe someday I'll actually learn how to use this computer!;) (don't hold your breath tho!!)

[Squawksx3]

Poor Barney.. it just breaks my heart. Wish there was something we could do for him. Does he let you hold him at all yet?. Maybe if you get him a female G2, he'll start worrying about what he looks like, make himself look more handsome and stop plucking!.. you know how men are hehe.

No prob on the pics sis... send them to me anytime. It appears Village Photo's will only let me download so many pics per day.. thats why it took me so long to post your pics... not holding my breath either LOL.

['too crazy]

Well I used the towel like you suggested to get him off the cage. He is NOT a happy camper when I do that. He squirms quite a bit to get down. I have put him on the floor and got down there with him but he shakes like he's scared. He does this thing with me where he squawks real softly just once and I do it back to him. Then he does it and I do it and on it goes. Anyways, he will do this while he's on the floor and he'll come by me but only for a second and he's off walking again. He just doesn't really want me to hold him and thats what I really want to do. I don't want to force him but maybe I should. What do you think??

[Squawksx3]

Have you tried taking him to a different part of the house.. new surroundings for him?. They tend to cling to you more when in a strange place and therefore, may learn to trust you more. He needs to know that you are there to protect him, not hurt him. Thats a good sign that he comes by you when on the floor. We take our guys to our bedroom for quality time... they're used to it now, but in the beginning they would stay real close and cling to us, we find it really helps to get them away from their cages and territory. Set him on the bed with you and let him explore for awhile.. being with him the whole time. If you see its really stressing him out, take him back to his cage... start out doing this little at a time.. maybe adding 5-10 minutes more each day... make sure its calm and quiet when you do this and no distractions.. focus completely on him, maybe take a toy he likes with you and lay it on the bed. Taking him outside and on car rides also help. I know its real cold back there still, but when the weather gets nice, take him out. They will trust you and go to you for safety and protection if they're scared. All living beings long to be loved and held... it just takes awhile for some to trust again after living thru abuse. Good luck... and let me know how it goes.

[dlaura]

Hi Sherry & Jan - enjoyed the pictures. Thanks to both of you.
Poor Barney - isn't it frustrating when we do everything but can't seem to help them. Angel is kind of bare on the shoulder part of her wings -- but has her tail and wing feathers. Her chest/crop area is completely bare. It's strange that they seem to pluck different areas.

Sherry - I to like the different scented lotions and sprays. However, I was told to be careful around the birds as they tend to rub off and may cause the plucking as bird does not like the smell or feeling. Try washing the lotion off your hands before attempting to handle Barney. That may help. Taz will not come anywhere near me if I smell differently to him. Seemed strange until I thought about it.

[Squawksx3]

You're right Diane... never thought about the scent thing with the birds... mine dont seem to mind it and would probably jump on our arms if they were covered in poo LOL, none are pluckers... but definately something to think about.

['too crazy]

I do wash it off my hands but mainly because I can't stand that greasy feeling. I've not had a problem with the lotions and Bailey but then Bailey doesn't pluck or has to emotional problems. He just talks and talks and talks....

[dlaura]

Bailey is just adorable and again makes me wish I had a quaker. Does he just jabber in bird or does he actually say words?

['too crazy]

Oh man does he say the words. Heres an example:
Good morning, I love you. *kissy noise* Gimme Kiss. *kissy noises* Give me kisses. *kissey noises about 5 times* I love you. MOLLY! MOLLY! GET DOWN! MOLLY! Don't you bite me. Mama, mama, MOLLY! Hi Barney. I love you *kissey nose* Here kitty kitty. Molly! Yappity, yappity, yappity. I love you. What 'cha doin'? Take a bath? Yappity, yappity, yappity Peek-a-boo! Don't you bite me! Don't you bite! Don't you bite mama! I love you.........................and it's like this constantly, non-stop until finally around 8:oo pm he says night, night. He NEVER shuts up! Thats why I taught him yappity, yappity, yappity! He's great tho!