Tea and Pluckers

['too crazy]

I think there may have been some discussion on this about the time I joined the forum but I don't recall any answers. I read yesterday on a site about giving a feather plucked bird Chammomile tea. One lady said it worked wonders for her bird in the first 2 weeks. Has anyone tried this? I'm curious to know if it works.

[Barracuda 42]

I have not tried it on a bird yet but i to have herd it works wonders and i have used it on sick dogs as well as other animals, it works great.. Alot of people have been talking about it even on quaker forums i have herd them mention it several times along with using the aloe spray for pluckers...

[dlaura]

I think there may have been something mentioned about the tea at one time............but I forgot. Will plan on trying it for Angel. Thanks for reminding me Sherry.

['too crazy]

The site said how to mix it so let me know if you need it. I think I'll try it too, what the heck. Cuda, the site also mentioned using the aloe spray but I thought for sure someone here tried that and had no results. Do you remember that Diane?

[Barracuda 42]

Hey "too, each bird is diffrent when it comes to how well they do with each diffrent remidy, i think also its how strong ya mix the aloe up, maybe try using it alittle stronger than normal while also using the tea, also try getting the bird on the red palm oil or flax seed.

[Squawksx3]

Good luck sis and Diane... keeping fingers crossed!!.

['too crazy]

Thanks sis! By the looks of our birds, we need all the help we can get!!;)

[Squawksx3]

But they are very much loved, which is what counts the most ;). We cant change the past... but can better the future.

['too crazy]

Well we love them more because we know what they've been through I think. Most people who come into my house have no clue what Barney is because he looks a mess. Some people wonder why I keep a bird that looks so bad. Good thing I wasn't judged by my looks...you know, with the hairy back and all!!:D

[dlaura]

'too crazy I thought I remembered that I was supposed to brew a weak cup of tea and let it cool and give the bird that in place of water. If you have a different formula please let me know. I have not tried the aloe yet as I've not been able to find it anywhere. Also hesitant because of Angel's reaction the last time I sprayed her with something which was supposed to prevent plucking. She proceeded to pluck out every tail feather, most of her wing feathers and her chest. At least now it is mostly just her chest.

['too crazy]

I heard you can get aloe spray at health food stores but I'm going to hold off on that for a bit. I spray Barney for his bath and he hates it. I don't want to make him mad and have him pluck because he's ticked off.

This is what I got on the other site as far as the tea:
Brew 1 cup decaf camomille tea as you normally would. Add 1 qt. (4~8 oz. cups) water. Use diluted tea for 2 weeks. Go back to water after the 2 weeks. Offer tea 3 times a week.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought camomille tea was decaf. I have some around here somewhere but I can't find it. I want to start it tomorrow.

[dlaura]

OK - I'm pretty sure I have some home too. We'll both start tomorrow and keep each other posted on the results.

How is Lucas doing?

[Barracuda 42]

'too, you can find the aloe juice at Wal-Mart in the pharmacy section, it comes in a gallon jug for like 7 bucks or so, have you all thought about doing a total bath with it and not a spray? Have you all tried the Red Palm oil along with other remidies? The aloe is supose to sooth the skin and stop the itching picking..

['too crazy]

I haven't tried anything yet. My Cockatoo doesn't like to take a bath so I'm forced to spray him. I just recently got him off the cage (like a week ago) and I'm still getting him used to that. I'm holding off on putting him in the shower or sink. Didn't you order the red palm oil? What was that for again I forgot?

['too crazy]

Ok Diane, I couldn't start the tea the other day because I couldn't find it so I bought some today. Of course now the other box will pop up. Have you started yet? It will be interesting to compare the results. I'm starting today.

Lucas is doing soooooo much better. He is such a lover and follows me everywhere. I've almost tripped over him a few times. I'm hoping we're past the problems! Thanks for asking.:)

[dlaura]

That is funny 'too crazy - as my weekend was so wacky I didn't start the tea drink either. I will start today also.

Cuda - I found the Aloe Juice at Walmart and need to start using it for a spray. That sounds like a good idea to use it for a bath too. What it the dilution supposed to be?

Well, I got a light for the cage also - so I will be hitting this plucking from three more directions. Will keep you updated on any progress.

['too crazy]

Hey wait, what's the light for?

[dlaura]

It is a special light that I purchased thru the Foster/Smith web site. Jenny had suggested a light and posted about it being on sale. So, I purchased one that attaches to the cage - another thing she will be scared to death of at first! The light simulates the sun light a bird would get out in the wild and is supposed to be helpful to pluckers. I think Crazeemama had suggested it also.

[crazeemama]

Chamomile tea is caffiene free, so decaf isn't an issue. Also I had bad results with the aloe juice. Then i was told you should use this other type of aloe juice. I have included the link.
http://www.georgesaloe.com/

Good Luck.

[dlaura]

'too crazy - found my chamomile tea last night and prepared it for Angel. This morning I used it in place of her water. Hope you started it for Barney also!

['too crazy]

yep! I started it last night. We'll compare notes in 2 weeks. I was wondering though, how's the tea supposed to help? Does it calm them?

[dlaura]

I assumed it was supposed to calm them - as that is the affect they describe it having on humans.

[dlaura]

Thought of you 'too crazy as I was brewing yet another tea for Angel last night. I think it may be helping to calm Angel a bit - or maybe I am just looking to hard. Also am continuing the saltwater. Today I put it in a bowl I had been using for a little of seed mix. Took the seed mix and mixed it in with pellets. I am hoping that since this bowl is one she checks frequently that she'll drink some of it. It is beginning to seem like a ritual getting her set up before I leave for work. If it helps it will be worth it though.

From looking at your note above it looks as if a week and a half has gone by. So soon I'll be cutting the tea back to once or twice a week as prescribed.

['too crazy]

I wish I could say it's working for Barney. I had him on the floor yesterday and he'd stop playing to pick a feather out. Maybe I should try the sleept time tea and make it real strong for a week!;)

[Squawksx3]

Hey guys, I went to a dog rescue meeting tonight and we got on the subject of plucking birds. One woman said that she was given a mini macaw that plucked. The only feathers he had was on his head and neck... he plucked his whole body bare. She said he quit plucking right after she got him and all was going good, feathers all grew back... then one day he started plucking again and there was nothing she could do to stop him. She had an african gray and amazon and put his cage between the two birds. She had a friend who had many conures and he was willing to take the mini macaw and see what he could do. He put the mini macaw in an aviary with many green conures and he not only stopped plucking, but became a very happy bird and still is to this day... even bonded with a female conure. The woman said that she thought maybe putting him with lots of birds the same size and color may have helped him... but its really hard to say. It worked with this mini macaw, but may not work with others. Just thought I'd share this ;).

['too crazy]

Well Bailey, who is smaller, likes Barney but Barney is afraid of Bailey. I could try putting their cages closer together but with my luck, Bailey will start plucking. Hummm what to do?:( It does make sense though because you have 4 and none of them pluck.