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Post by tdmom on Jan 17, 2016 16:40:52 GMT -5
Hi, as of Thanksgiving I'm a mom of 2 rescued Quakers named Tank and Dozer.
The boys (no DNA tests yet) were abandoned in a foreclosed house in the FL Keys. Neigbors heard them and called police, who then moved them to a rescue sanctuary in the Keys.They were there for 5 yrs before coming to TX this Thanksgiving.
Dozer is plucking his feathers, but it's not too bad. Tank is my problem child, he's a screecher. As long as I'm still he's ok. But any kind of movement will set him off, even if I'm feeding them or just walking in/out of the room.
I can't handle either of them, if I go to open the cage they scatter. Between the screeching and handling issues, it makes grooming and checkups difficult. I'm not new to birds (parakeets for over 13yrs) but I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing for Tank and Dozer.
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Post by wsteinhoff on Jan 17, 2016 17:13:13 GMT -5
Welcome to the quaker parrot forum. Sorry I have no experience with pluckers or issues with screaming or movement. I know there are people on here who have had birds who plucked that may be able to help you out soon.
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Post by easttex on Jan 17, 2016 18:36:53 GMT -5
Welcome to you and Tank and Dozer! That was a kind thing to do, taking in birds that have not had a very good life and who have some problematic habits. I will give you a link that might help you address the screaming: goodbirdinc.blogspot.com/2008/05/stop-you-parrot-from-screaming-for.htmlThe African grey I adopted seven years ago was plucking when I got her. I think she was responding to something specific in her foster home - remodeling - and once she was removed from that she pretty much quit on her own. It didn't happen quickly, though. Around two years. If Dozer only started recently, he may respond the same way to the improved conditions. But if he plucked through five years in the sanctuary, it could be tough to stop it. Let him bathe as often as he will, and give him as much humidity as you can. Some people recommend adding aloe to the water, but I'd be very careful with that, and dilute it very well if you do use it. It can build up on the feathers and you don't want to give him another reason to focus on them. If you see him plucking, you can try to discretely distract him, and reward him when he stops, but don't respond to the plucking directly. If you are happy to let them continue to keep their own company, they'll no doubt be content with that. If you have hopes that you can eventually hand tame them, you'll want to put them in separate cages. Again, welcome to the forum!  |
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Post by Caseysmom on Jan 17, 2016 20:06:08 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! Lots of good advice, hopefully Tank and Dozer will start to improve in your home!
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Post by cnyguy on Jan 17, 2016 20:38:38 GMT -5
Welcome to you, Tank and Dozer! I dont have any special advice to offer about plucking or screaming, but there are some articles on the companion site, Quakerparrots.com, that you might find helpful: Screaming articleFeather plucking article |
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Post by aaron on Jan 18, 2016 13:03:50 GMT -5
Welcome to you and your two little ones! I'm not very well versed in the matters you are dealing with but wanted to thank you for rescuing these two little guys. You're doing a very nice thing for them and they are lucky to have you even if they don't realize it yet.  |
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Post by julianna on Jan 19, 2016 11:54:16 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. Quakers are totally different than parakeets as you will notice by some of the posts on here. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask as the folks on here are very familiar with Quakers and will give you some excellent advice.
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Post by Susan on Jan 25, 2016 23:44:25 GMT -5
When I rescued Johnnie, he came from a very poor environment. Poor built into a wall cage & filthy, drugs (pot smoke & crack cocaine smoke, cigarette smoke, seed diet only! Poor baby! When I got him home I bought a nice size cage, probably too big. But I just let him be so he could to settle in to his new home. I would just sit by the cage & talk to him. play music & sing softly. transitioned him to pellet food, HARRISON'S brand. Just gave him time to get use to our routine. Left music on,or T.V. on when we went to work or out. I did a lot of research. Bought books on Quaker parrots etc. But time & patience was a big part of it. Having 2 in one cage might make it harder to accumulate them, you may want to try to separate, but keep them close. 2 cages maybe difficult to maintain so that may not be a option. Plucking is a problem we experience with Johnnie, we had to collar him(tried different one's too) it was hard to have to keep him collared until he healed but it works. I still keep a close eye on him & check him frequently. He would chew under his wings terribly. We moved his cage to a different area in the living room were he could see into the kitchen & dining room. He knows when I am prepping food & starts squawking to make sure I don't forget to give him some. They like to chew chew chew. give him lots of paper type toys, I use a few online bird supply Co. www.drsfostersmith.com mysafebirdstore.com Screeching I can't help you with Johnnie squawks a lot but I have learned to tune it out. When he is upset he can screech & I just tell him "QUIET!" most times he quiets down & I will give him a treat! Good luck & enjoy |
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Post by aaron on Jan 26, 2016 14:35:29 GMT -5
Susan, it sounds like you did a really great thing for Johnnie. Thanks for doing that.  |
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Post by julianna on Jan 27, 2016 14:11:41 GMT -5
Poor little Johnnie... That was a very nice thing you are doing Susan. It is terrible to see these little smart creatures in such distress. Bless you.
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