zoeg
Hatchling
Posts: 1 
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Post by zoeg on May 29, 2017 14:29:25 GMT -5
Hello all, I hope you can help me. I wanted a Quaker parrot - initially from a breeder, however when I went to the pet store for food/supplies they had a poor little blighter in. They said he had been 'bullied' in the aviary and the others had bitten/pulled his feathers out. I thought I could give him a better environment so now he is with me. He has baldness around both his ears n seems a little scruffy around the back of his neck.
Please take a look at the photos and tell me what you think. Does their explanation look likely or is the bird poorly?? I can't see any mites on him. It does not seem red or inflamed. He doesn't seem to scratch it and he has been eating already.
Any suggestions on how to get him back to feathery goodness?
Thanks in advance and best wishes,
Zoe.
Oh - don't seem to be able to add photos?
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Post by easttex on May 29, 2017 17:15:34 GMT -5
Working without photos (which seems to crop up as a problem periodically), if the feather removal was just a matter of a short term thing, the feathers should start growing back pretty quickly. Birds generally don't wait for a molt when feathers are missing, though they usually will when feathers are only damaged. The stress of a home change, even one that is for the better, could slow things down some. If the bullying was prolonged and there is follicle damage, it's possible the they will not grow back at all. In any case, the best thing you can do is to put him him on a healthy diet. Mainly a good quality pellet, supplemented with fresh veggies, a little fruit, and healthy snacks. I'd also recommend a checkup with an avian vet. Welcome to the forum! That's very kind of you to take in a quaker in need, rather than going to a breeder.  And shame on the pet store for allowing him to be bullied, if that is what happened. |
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Post by julianna on May 31, 2017 13:04:13 GMT -5
Hello to you and you little new friend. It is sad to read that someone would allow a poor little bird to get picked on by the others. He should have been removed much sooner. Anyway... you are now with him and that is all that matters. Like easttex said... a good diet should bring the feathers back and the bird will feel a lot better.
Remember that they do like baths. Some people will use a spray bottle but I let my QP tell me when he wants a bath and he usually goes in the bathroom sink. He splashes around in there and loves it. I put enough water to the top of his legs and the water should be a little cool. He stands still when he wants out and I just lower my finger and up he comes. He usually does this 2-3 times a week... but a lot of quakers do not have as many baths.. perhaps once a week.
There is a lot of good reading on this site and it will help you understand Quakers so feel free to do so. Best Wishes
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Post by biteybird on Jun 1, 2017 1:29:56 GMT -5
Hi Zoe & quaker master. Welcome. I hope he is starting to settle in and that his feathers start to recover soon. The fact that he is eating already is a good sign. I seem to remember that some people put a smidge of aloe vera in their bird's bathing water (I think - someone will correct this if I'm wrong). |
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Post by beccilouise on Jun 3, 2017 16:26:37 GMT -5
Hello Zoe and quaker! You are doing such a lovely thing by rescuing this poor little birdie. All the advice you have already been given is really good. I agree with Biteybird that a bit of aloe vera is supposed to help (though I've no experience of this myself). I would also highly recommend an immediate checkup with an avian vet just to rule out any possible underlying health issues. Once it has been clearly established that the feather damage is due to the bullying, make sure he is on a healthy, pelleted diet (zupreem, Harrisons, Haagen, Psittacus or KAYTEES are all really good) with plenty of veggies, especially green veggies (including collard greens, boiled peas and broccoli). If he's trying to regrow feathers, healthy proteins will also be important. A little bit of boiled egg twice a week, some safely boiled pulses and legumes or some sprouted seeds will all really help make sure the protein level in your birdie stays balanced so he can regrow his feathers. Also, make sure he gets at least 10 hours of darkness a night (recommended is 12) and always has access to clean water. It's a good idea to get plenty of preening toys as well to help occupy him, and make sure he has AT LEAST an hour of occupied company a day. All this will help him to establish himself in his new home, and the sooner he recognises this as his territory, and you as his flock, the quicker he will start to recover from his ordeal. Good luck and keep us posted!
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Post by aaron on Jun 4, 2017 23:14:05 GMT -5
Thank you for taking in this little guy-- really nice thing you're doing. Posting photos is a pain on this board, unfortunately. You have to host your photos elsewhere and then link to them from here. There are instructions here: www.quakerparrotforum.net/thread/31/post-photosIf you have trouble with it, just shoot me a private message and I'll give you my email address-- happy to post them for you. |
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