Stopped eating and talking | Quaker Parrot Forum

irishlass
Hatchling

Posts: 2

Stopped eating and talking Feb 1, 2019 13:55:21 GMT -5

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Post by irishlass on Feb 1, 2019 13:55:21 GMT -5

Casey has always had a good appetite and I taught him to talk (rescued him back in 2004 as a 3-4 day old chick outside). Just recently he suddenly stopped eating and talking. No visible sign of him being ill - no runny eyes, no blood in his poop, no puffiness. Seems to be alert when I talk to him or he is sitting on my finger. Moved around his cage rearranging things, brought him out and put him on his playpen - all nonverbal and verbal commands eg. shake hands he complied. Went to pet store purchased same powder that I bought when when I found him as a chick. I hand fed him making sure temperature was ok. Just this morning he started to speak little by little - I know he knew I was excited for when I praise him he chirped. Observed that he was starting to eat some of his seed and the fresh veggies I offered him. I pureed some peas and offered them and he ate that. He is still not totally back to norm but seems to be improving. No vets in area practice on birds. Any ideas what happened? I felt his crop, at least think it is his crop below beak - seemed to be firm - is it possible it could be impacted? I did read online that there could be causes as to not speaking and eating
Please let me know your thoughts. It's weird for he seems to operate when back in his cage as normal. Rearranging, taking his morning nap, etc.
Thanks so much.
Barbara

cnyguy
Senior Forum Manager

Posts: 2,144

Stopped eating and talking Feb 1, 2019 21:21:55 GMT -5

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Post by cnyguy on Feb 1, 2019 21:21:55 GMT -5

I'm sorry; I really don't have any explanation for Casey's sudden change in behavior. It's unfortunate that there aren't any veterinarians near you who will care for birds; a vet visit is always a good idea when there's a dramatic change in behavior. It seems that Casey is more like his usual self again, so that may be a good sign.

biteybird
Top Bird/Chief Slave

Still alive!

Posts: 2,780

Stopped eating and talking Feb 2, 2019 0:41:11 GMT -5

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Post by biteybird on Feb 2, 2019 0:41:11 GMT -5

Hi Barbara, this is a situation I've never encountered, so I am sorry I can't offer any practical advice...however, just want to welcome you and at least lend some moral support. I hope Casey continues to improve and that your deductions are correct. All the best.

Bonnie (quaker parrot), R.I.P. Pinky (Bourke's parrot), R.I.P. Cockatiel "Scruffy"

irishlass
Hatchling

Posts: 2

Stopped eating and talking Feb 2, 2019 9:33:16 GMT -5 biteybird likes this

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Post by irishlass on Feb 2, 2019 9:33:16 GMT -5

Hi - thank you for your response! This morning Casey spoke additional words that he would normally state. Fed him again fresh pureed peas. Observed him eating some of his seed. Have you ever felt your bird's crop before? I know from the day that I rescued him as a chick, I read online, if food is too hot could burn crop, if too cold food could get stuck in crop and eventually form a bacterial infection and if you didn't fill the crop, your bird could starve without you realizing. This morning I wondered if he had a stroke or something like that, but I think I am going to cancel tat thought for he ran around his cage when I took his covers off as normal, got him out and seems same as before event but he still doesn't seem to be eating as normal. Have you ever heard of bird getting bored with his meal? I know throughout day I may offer him food I am eating which he always taste. Also read that another cause for lack of appetite and not speaking could be depressed. At least today he seems more spunky!

Have a great weekend.

Thanks again.

cnyguy
Senior Forum Manager

Posts: 2,144

Stopped eating and talking Feb 3, 2019 20:21:40 GMT -5 biteybird likes this

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Post by cnyguy on Feb 3, 2019 20:21:40 GMT -5

It's good to hear that Casey is doing better.

Parrots do get tired of eating the same things day after day, and will sometimes reject even favorite foods if they're not in the mood for them. My QP Ralph even passes by on his fresh green peas every now and then, and they're his favorite food. You can try offering Casey a few different things to see if he'll eat them, and still provide some of the things he likes best.