help with feather picking.......

['too crazy]

I adopted a neglected cockatoo a few days ago. He did pick some of his feathers but a few months ago he was rescued by someone and he stopped and new ones were growing in. Now I see he is starting to pick them again. I know once they start they usually don't stop but I was wondering, since this behavior seemed to stop for a while, if there was a chance to help him stop again. He just started last night again and I really want to help him since he had such a bad start in life. This guy has alot of toys but he doesn't know how to play with them. I try to show him but he's still very wary me. Any advice?

[Amanda]

Each time a bird gets rehomed, it gets harder and harder for them to adjust. Since this bird is pretty new in your house, the best advice I can give you is to go slowly with him and not to "push" the toys too much. Give him lots of attention and keep him away from "high traffic" areas. If you can get in touch with the people that used to have him, maybe you can ask them what this bird likes/dislikes, his daily routine. Try to keep things the same way to help make this transition time easier for him.

Good luck and let us know how it all turns out.

[birdygirl]

Take your bird to an avain vet. The vet will know how to best stop your parrot from plucking. Good Luck.

[birdygirl]

Also buy some toys that have things that the too can preen. It will take it's mind off of plucking.
Allison

My parrot has two hearts. One is mine.

[Jenny]

Yes, all I can say is to go slowly and keep things for him as calm as possible right now. It is very stressful for birds to be moved from home to home, but since he did stop picking at one point, you have a good chance of him stopping as soon as he gets comfortable adn calmed down about everything. One question I have is how is he like around people? Is he tame, or not? If you can keep a journal of when he plucks and what has happened before he started, then maybe you'll notice some trends. Whatever you do, don't make a big scene when he starts plucking. Ignore it as much as possible or do something to distract him if you can. As far as learning to play with toys, that can take awhile. I adopted a neglected 16 yr. old wild-caught conure who had gone through at least three homes last year not to mention had a very bad plucking problem, and only recently is he finally learning how to play on his own. It's taken almost a year because at first he only had two big toys that he was so used to that they weren't interesting anymore. I'd suggest not messing much with your 'too's toys until he's more comfortable in his new home with everything new, but when you notice he's feeling better than take out a few at a time and buy some new interesting ones, but I'd probably only put three or so in his cage at a time. Food toys go over great with my conure, especially the carousel-type ones where he has to work to get the food out, and so do the kabob-style ones. Experiment with different types of toys making sure they aren't stressing him,and try to figure out which type he likes best. For my conure, any toy having to do with food turned out to be a favorite! Most likely his plucking is just caused by stress and not a physical problem, but taking him to the vet would still be a good idea. Even better would be finding a vet who would come to your house for the check-up, making it less stressful. One other question is, what is his current diet? I hope this helps some, and that your cockatoo quits plucking soon!

[dlaura]

Hi "Too Crazy"
I am owned by a Goffins Cockatoo named Angel. Angel is a feather plucker also and I have tried every avenue to help her stop. However, this is her first home and she is far from neglected. It is hard to watch a beautiful creature do this and not feel the need to help her/him. Even to the extent of re homing in order to maybe improve the bird's standard of life.

Everyone seems to feel that if a bird plucks that it has been neglected. I was feeling very guilty and have run the gammet the last several months trying to help her with this problem. Angel has been to two different Avian vets within the past two months and there seems to be nothing wrong with her physically.

The second vet explained to me that (his opinion) that these intelligient creatures were meant to be in the wild and should never been made into pets. Angel was fine for the first three years with us and suddenly started plucking her chest area. This vet explained that I should not feel guilty over this habit - apparently it is common for this behavior to begin around this time for these species of bird (cockatoo) as puberty is beginning and is a stressful time. Hence plucking from stress. He did some blood tests to be sure nothing else was going on. All negative.

So, don't feel guilty if you can't stop this behavior and Jenny's advice above is right on. I have learned a lot from her. Remember not to over react when you catch your bird plucking - try Jenny's suggestions. Over reacting only teaches them that this is a good way to get attention. It may have been very frustrating to previous owners - to try everything they could and see plucking continue. They may have re-homed the bird because they loved this bird and felt at fault for the feather plucking and couldn't bear to watch the bird seemingly destroy herself/himself?

So, hang in there and do your best. Just love your bird unconditionally - just as they do for us. Let us know how things are going. Ask about any concerns or questions you have. Everyone here is very helpful

[JSimko]

My advice is to take your bird out of the house with you as often as you possibly can. I have seen macaws that have picked themselves clean. Every friday during the summer I take mine to drive-in movies and to flea markets on weekends. I also do some walking outside when it is not too hot out and I bring Taz and our dog Amber. I try to keep Taz busy all of the time and it helps to give Taz a change of scenery. By the way I find that our birds like to watch T.V. and Taz loves to watch movies especially on the big screen. His/her favorite movies so far are "Finding Nemo" and "Rugrats Gone Wild". Taz also makes a pig of himself at the movie theatre.

[birdygirl]

I am going to see finding nemo tonight with some friends. I'm sure Sophie would like to go to a drive in movie but she demands to go to bed at 8 pm every night. However i suppose she would love to go bvut not every Friday.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Jason:

I can just imagine Taz sitting next to you at a drive-in movie. You and Taz would make a great TV sitcom!!!! I wish we had a drive-in movie theater here, but the last one in existence in south jersey was demolished to put up a Holiday Inn Resort.

Birdygirl....let me know how or if you enjoyed Nemo.:D

['too crazy]

Thanks for all the wonderful advice. This bird was neglected in an awful way. He is 6 years old and was left in a windowless room with no perches and no toys...probably why he started plucking his feathers. I did move himfrom a high traffic area in the living room to a corner and last night he was like a new bird. He was actually playing. It was such a wonderful sight I wanted to cry. I am going real slow with him and while I would love to take him somewhere, he won't let me hold him as yet. I can only pet him but it's a step in the right direction. I do like the drive-in idea though. I can't remember the last time I was there. I did indeed forget they needed to be sprayed so thanks for the reminder. He doesn't seem to like it much but then again he could be wary of a new person aiming something at him. It is so sad to watch them hurt themselves but I will be using all of you advice. Hopefully soon he will be a beautiful happy bird.

[Amanda]

Hey birdygirl, let me know how you liked the movie Finding Nemo. We are planning to see that movie tomorrow because I'm off school and my husband is off work (it's Canada Day here tomorrow). The kids want to see that movie ... so let me know if it's good.

[Mrs.Birdy]

Happy Canada Day Amanda, Rio and Bijou. Is that like the American 4th of July??? Just curious.

Have fun.

[Amanda]

MrsBirdy, yes Canada Day is the same as the 4th of July. Lots of fireworks, partying, and best of all ... I'm off school! Woohoo... :D
We are suppose to have a really nice day tomorrow so we are also planning a picnic by the lake (Lake Ontario). Too bad we don't have any beaches, though. A couple of summers ago, we went to visit our relatives in DE and went to Rehoboth beach, took the ferry across from Lewis, DE to NJ. We saw some dolphins too. It was really nice.

[Jenny]

'Too Crazy: That's so great to hear that your 'too was playing and enjoying himself! I'm sure he will be like a totally new bird within a few months!
Amanda: Happy Canada Day! I was wondering what that was too after seeing it on our calendar... Enjoy being off school and seeing "Finding Nemo"! I thought it was a great movie, and am sure you'll enjoy it. :)

[Mrs.Birdy]

Have a wonderful Holiday with your family today. Enjoy.

:)

[JSimko]

I saw Finding Nemo with Taz. He loved it. Taz laughed at the funny parts and had a blast. He loves animated movies.

[Amanda]

Thanks everyone for wishing us a happy Canada Day. It is now 10:11 am and starting to get really hot. It's going to be a great day for outdoors. The kids can't wait till we go to the movies... and after reading all the great reviews you have given of the movie, I can't wait either ... :)

[dlaura]

too crazy - how is your cockatoo doing these days. Did you succeed in stopping the plucking?

[crazeemama]

Too crazy -
Don't feel guilty about the plucking. This poor bird is just stressed to the max. try aiming the water spray over his head sso it falls down like a mist . It is really hard to get them wet enough with a spray bottle because of the powder down. I have been researching some homeopathic info that i saw on www.quakercorner.com.
And i have ordered the Quell spray but it isn't here yet!! It is nasty tasting, but supposedly has a little lidocaine in it so that the itching etc isn't so bad.
I will say that in addition to the recommendations given on quaker corner i was told that 'rescue remedy' also gave good results. I am not finding that to be true.

Evidently Oliver had a history of plucking when he was re-homed before and the 'cure' was to let his flights grow in. But i feel he perhaps started to pluck because of perhaps the wing trim and seperation anxiety but has continued it because of the discomfort in volved. I have talked to others and have decided that next time a trim is needed we will do a progressive trim and hopefully it will not be enough to upset him.
oliversplucking is getting extreme. I will see after the new spray if a collar may be necessary. I have seen somewhere about making a collar out of that insulation (foam) for plumbing pipes but can't find it now.
So that is what i am trying. Ithink the biggest thing is to just really make them feel like they are in paradise! The best fruit and veggies, good treats and stuff from your hands, a soft voice reaccess your interactions to see if perhaps you are being more confontational than necessary at first etc., There seem to be so many variables. Good luck. I am interested in comparing notes!!!

['too crazy]

It's ironic this post came up at this time. Barney was doing so good until this past week-end. Alot of his tail feathers came back in and now they're all out except 1. He is constantly picking and even though I try to ignore it, it seems like he's doing it to make me mad. I always give him a small dish of animal crackers or cherrios before bedtime and he goes to his dish, breaks them apart and throws them on the floor. Sometimes he takes the whole dish and throws it on the floor. He still won't let me hold him, all I can do is pet and lately he tries to bite me. I wonder if he's mad because I got the new Senegal? I can't remember if the plucking started before or after we got him but I know the attitude came after. And it's not like the new bird gets more attention than Barney. I have some of that Quell but I forgot I had it. The girl I got him from gave it to me but said she didn't have to use it. I tried it last night and I'll try some more today but so far I can't say if it works or not. He was looking so good and now he's back to looking like a sick chicken again. Maybe if he changed his attitude he would stop picking but I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions?

[dlaura]

At another site today, I was reading about the "Quik Links" that are used on many of the toys we purchase for our birds. It seems that these links are zinc coated and could/may be poisoning the birds when chewed on. The suggestion was to replace the quik links with stainless steel links. Sounds like to easy a fix to me - but who knows - we've tried everything else.

I think Casegura mentioned this once to me also.

Someone else mentioned putting Vitamin D oil on the plucked area. Also, aloe gel.

['too crazy]

my 'too never had any toys before I got him so he has no idea how to play with anything. I have no toys with links, only toys made with wood. He will chew them sometimes but his favorite thing to chew is his perch made of twisted yarn. I have heard that before with the aloe vera. Maybe I'll give that a try. I'm starting to get desperate. He doesn't look as bad as when I got him but it does seem to be his favorite pastime of late. Do you think he could be jealous of the Senegal? I was thinking about just taking him off the cage in a towel and cuddling with him a while. He won't let me pick him out so I would have to use the towel. Any advice? I'm so afraid of stressing him out and making him pluck more. Crazeemama have you tried a hardware store for your foam? I think home depot has it. How would you make that into a collar? I'm not to that point yet but I'd like to get one made in case it comes down to that.

[crazeemama]

you get the size that best matches the neck size then you have to make it long enough that his neck is a bit stretched but not so much he has trouble opening his jaw. Generally you have to cut a notch in the front for the mandible. then duck tape it back together. I can't find the website i saw it on, but as soon as all the frosting is washed out of everything, i will hvae more time to check where i saw it. Also i had mentioned that i had tried 'rescue remedy' and that it didn't seem to be helping. Well after adjusting the dosage, it is having some rather good results. Would you beleive i am STILL waiting for that Quell spray!!!! Also quaker corner website had some other homeopathic type things listed also. I won't go into detail here on them, If someone wants more info just PM me. Ok i have to work some more birthday magic!!!

[Squawksx3]

Im so sorry to hear this 'too. We've had our 8 yr old Goffin's for a year and a half now and thank goodness, he has never plucked. He was also abused and neglected before we got him. He didnt know how to play with toys, it took a couple of months for him to play with anything. He would attack anything we put on or in his cage, but we would still put them up, very slowly and one at a time. He still gets scared of some things, but thats in the Goffin's nature, they easily get scared by simple things and are easily stressed. I really think that our B&G taught him how to play. She loves toys and he used to intensely watch her while she played. He loves his toys now and plays with them constantly. I wish I could help out with the feather plucking, that poor baby :( . Best of luck to you.

['too crazy]

Thanks to all for your encouragement and support. It is so discouraging to watch him pluck after all the feathers were coming in so nicely. It is such a helpless feeling to know something is wrong but not to know what it is. He really seems mad at me in perticular and I swear it has to do with the senegal. It is kind of funny when I try to give him something to eat and he takes it only to throw it back at me. A bird throwing a tantrum isn't something you see everyday. I'll just keep working with him but you never know. He may end up with Crazeemamas collar on!!:eek:

[crazeemama]

The Quell Spray has just arrived, so i will let you know how it works in a few days. Oliver is definitely picking less but when he does he is still quite frantic about it.
'too crazy - really explore other options before you consider a collar. Sometimes i think they make it worse. It really is a treatment of last resort.

[dlaura]

crazeemama,
What is the "rescue remedy" you mentioned using on Oscar?

['too crazy]

Not to fret Crazeemama, I'm no where near getting a collar yet. I just wanted to know how to do it if it ever comes down to that. Let me know what you think of the Quell.

[crazeemama]

name to OSCAR. Oliver is perhaps not plucking quite so much today. I am using the Quell he really puts up a fight about it though. The 'rescue remedy' Is one of the 'bach flower remedies' from the health food store. Quaker Corner also has some homeopathic recommendations. They are NOT of course for LONG TERM use a couple weeks is all. I think Oliver is just nervous about being moved and the other birds too. Just some adjust ments. I really hope between the two things i can get a handle on his plucking and get on with training him. I am starting twice a day to show him a couple of toys and try to get him interested in playing. i guess that is about all i can do. I think the other thing is time. I don't want to put a collar on him unless there is no other way. But i don't want him to start mutilating either.

[crazeemama]

First Quick Links - the reason to replace them is the are GALVANIZED meaning that if your birds are as talented as a couple of mine are, they can get ZINC POISONING from them. If you bird is in a cage made from chicken wire, hardware cloth, or any galvanized wire it might be getting Zinc poisoning. If so the bird will have to have chelation therapy. Very important. That is why i replace mine with stainless steel. And the links thenselves really don't wear so can be used again and again.

According to my vet, If you put anything on the plucked skin directly it has to be thoroughly washed off within an hour otherwise the bird may spread it onto the feathers and then pluck more because of the stuff on the feathers. He even goes as far as saying 3-4 drenching showers a day if necessary. He also cautioned me about the over use of aloe vera and water sprays. no more than 1 oz aloe to 16 oz water. and it can be a factor in bacteria growth and can actually have a sticky build up on the feathers which in turn leads to more plucking. SO food for thought.
Ty had a minor plucking problem when i first got him and showering daily with me in the shower really nipped it. i did nothing else except of course a wonderful diet,which he badly needed, clean cage, and lotsa toys. he can never have to much wood to shred.
Oliver may be alot better once he figures out how to play. He also takes a shower with me in the am everyother day and then one more shower during the day. I haven't turned the heat on yet so it is a bit chilly in the am and i don't want to give him a chill.