|
|
Post by Tuesday on Aug 28, 2014 15:15:46 GMT -5
Lihn's been dealing with a lot of pin feathers recently, and I've taken to spending an hour or so a day watching a movie or something with her while skritching her head and neck to open them. She absolutely loves the skritching, though!
What I was wondering about is if her behavior during these sessions is normal - she starts to almost fall asleep, blinking a lot, lowering her head, ruffling up. Sometimes she'll even tuck her head behind her wing and stand on one leg. Is this a normal reaction to having her head rubbed? Is this something that babies normally do, or will she do it as an adult as well? It's almost like she's being hypnotized.
I'm pretty sure it's nothing to worry about (I'm definitely feeling like a new mother right now - checking up on everything!) but if anyone else's birds do this, it'd be reassuring.
|
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Aug 28, 2014 19:40:58 GMT -5
It sounds like Lihn is very relaxed and comfortable and contented, enough so that she'll just doze off.  It's possible that sort of behavior could continue into adulthood. |
|
|
|
Post by Caseysmom on Aug 29, 2014 23:11:51 GMT -5
Yup, Casey can get into a trance while getting pins out |
|
|
|
Post by biteybird on Sept 2, 2014 1:51:55 GMT -5
I don't know if it's anything to do with pin feathers, but Bonnie, our 9-mth-old quaker regularly goes into "hypnotised mode" when I give her a head scratch, also when I roll her up in a tea towel (like a little Souvlaki!). She just loves it. |
|
deanaandsam
Hatchling
avatar Sam drinking pure grape juice only!
Posts: 10 
|
Post by deanaandsam on Sept 3, 2014 13:51:34 GMT -5
Hi Folks...haven't been back here for a long time...stuff happens, you know. But I was around for a few years after we got Sam the man, and Sam is now 12 years old. He has been extremely healthy and a little joy, learning tricks, talking and spending his work day building 'nests' around his bed. But just recently he has decided not to come out of his cage. I leave the gate open every morning, but he rarely even comes out to go to the top. He is in a molt right now that is causing more feather loss than before. I do not see any signs of a flying problem, though of course he's not out to check it much. It just seems so strange...usually an offer of a step-up onto my shoulder is a cause for joy.
He is still eating well and producing healthy looking poops, and he is still building!
Any ideas about why this change in behaviour? I'd appreciate any suggestions.
Thank you,
Deana
|
|
deanaandsam
Hatchling
avatar Sam drinking pure grape juice only!
Posts: 10
|
Post by deanaandsam on Sept 3, 2014 14:34:04 GMT -5
p.s. Sam regularly adored getting 'scrubbies', and usually after supper he would trot up the table to my hand and literally push his head into my hand for the scrub to begin. He would lean into my hand and my thumb would do the stroking of his head....sometimes for ten fifteen minutes, and often he would fall asleep, head on my thumb, until some noise would awaken him from his power nap. I realise now that it was often during a molt, so I guess it was helpful.
Maybe I should literally pick him up from the cage with two hands and stroke his poor little pin filled head! :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by biteybird on Sept 4, 2014 7:32:59 GMT -5
Bonnie emits tiny groans of pleasure when I scratch her little head. Sorry, can't give you any advice re Sam the Man's behaviour changes, as our quaker is only young and is our first! Hope someone else can advise you.
|
|
|
|
Post by benegesserit on Sept 4, 2014 7:56:20 GMT -5
Hi Folks...haven't been back here for a long time...stuff happens, you know. But I was around for a few years after we got Sam the man, and Sam is now 12 years old. He has been extremely healthy and a little joy, learning tricks, talking and spending his work day building 'nests' around his bed. But just recently he has decided not to come out of his cage. I leave the gate open every morning, but he rarely even comes out to go to the top. He is in a molt right now that is causing more feather loss than before. I do not see any signs of a flying problem, though of course he's not out to check it much. It just seems so strange...usually an offer of a step-up onto my shoulder is a cause for joy. He is still eating well and producing healthy looking poops, and he is still building! Any ideas about why this change in behaviour? I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thank you, Deana I have read that sometimes a heavy moult can take a lot of a bird's energy, so they might act a bit more lethargic and less social. I would ask your avian vet about supplementing during these times with a more nutrient rich food, so that Sam is taking in enough calories and nutrients to ensure both a healthy moult and a good amount of energy for activities. I haven't experienced this with my fid, so I can't offer personal experience. |
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Sept 4, 2014 8:19:37 GMT -5
I have read that sometimes a heavy moult can take a lot of a bird's energy, so they might act a bit more lethargic and less social. I would ask your avian vet about supplementing during these times with a more nutrient rich food, so that Sam is taking in enough calories and nutrients to ensure both a healthy moult and a good amount of energy for activities. I haven't experienced this with my fid, so I can't offer personal experience. That is a very good point. The molt is very protein-intensive. When my chickens were molting I always gave them a little extra protein in their diet. It would be a good question for a vet. |
|
deanaandsam
Hatchling
avatar Sam drinking pure grape juice only!
Posts: 10
|
Post by deanaandsam on Sept 4, 2014 12:29:39 GMT -5
Thank you for your suggestions, they are certainly worth trying and can do no harm. I am not able to get to the vet since I am caregiver to my sick husband (maybe Sam wants the attention he is getting :-)) But I will surely watch Sam for any decline. Grateful for your help.
Deana p.s. In case anyone is wondering, in the avatar, Sam is drinking watered down grape juice...we thought it was amusing. |
|
|
|
Post by quinn83 on Dec 9, 2014 0:08:34 GMT -5
Lihn's been dealing with a lot of pin feathers recently, and I've taken to spending an hour or so a day watching a movie or something with her while skritching her head and neck to open them. She absolutely loves the skritching, though! What I was wondering about is if her behavior during these sessions is normal - she starts to almost fall asleep, blinking a lot, lowering her head, ruffling up. Sometimes she'll even tuck her head behind her wing and stand on one leg. Is this a normal reaction to having her head rubbed? Is this something that babies normally do, or will she do it as an adult as well? It's almost like she's being hypnotized. I'm pretty sure it's nothing to worry about (I'm definitely feeling like a new mother right now - checking up on everything!) but if anyone else's birds do this, it'd be reassuring. Yeah Romeo does the same thing. The other night I was doing this and he fell asleep. I guess he lost his balance because he just started rolling. It was so funny because he looked soooo surprised LOL  |
|
It's possible that sort of behavior could continue into adulthood. 
