|
Post by birdie on Oct 26, 2014 18:23:28 GMT -5
Good Afternoon ! My name is Teresa and I work at an animal shelter here in BC, Canada. Though we do have a parrolet, I've added a new feathered friend to the family whom I adopted from work. He's (sex unknown) a Quaker parrot (age unknown) who we called "Chicken Little" Quite bonded with me, not so with my fiance which is ok as our parrolet is his bird. He's kind of in rough shape, chest bald from plucking, spots on his wings, good appetite though he throws veggies out. Has free flight time prior to me going to work and when I get home though he prefers to sit with me. had his first "bath" as our parrolet always "baths" 1st thing in the morning. Have noticed that he looses a lot of dander, some of the feathers that he pulls out seem to have some white matter attached to the quill part. Not sure if that's from previous trauma or poor previous diet. Other than that, he's a happy little guy
|
|
|
Post by Caseysmom on Oct 26, 2014 19:04:35 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum Teresa from the other side of Canada in Ontario. Sounds like Chicken Little has found himself a good home. I haven't had any experience with plucking, maybe someone else can add some info on that. Hopefully with a better diet and some new toys to keep him busy maybe he will get out of the plucking habit. Have lots of fun with your new happy little guy!
|
|
|
Post by birdie on Oct 26, 2014 19:16:31 GMT -5
Thanks kindly ! Only have had for a couple of weeks now. Still learning about him and he's found a new friend in Baby, our parrolet.
|
|
|
Post by cnyguy on Oct 26, 2014 20:03:35 GMT -5
Welcome! Sounds like Chicken Little has a good home with you. I have no experience with plucking and won't try to offer advice on that. I can recommend continuing to offer vegetables to Chicken Little. You have to be persistent and offer the same things over and over; it takes time to get a stubborn QP to try new foods. I often mention that it took me 8 months to get Ralph to try broccoli, and it's now one of his favorites. Try preparing vegetables in different ways-- both cooked and raw for most types (beans of all kinds should always be cooked though). Try them in bigger chunks, finely chopped, or mashed up. It sometimes helps to eat some of the same things in front of your parrot and act like it's the most delicious food you've ever tasted. Parrots like to share the foods their human companions enjoy.
|
|
|
Post by biteybird on Oct 27, 2014 1:02:03 GMT -5
Welcome Teresa & Chicken Little (love the name)!
|
|
|
Post by easttex on Oct 27, 2014 3:42:10 GMT -5
Hi Theresa. Wow, working in an animal shelter would be rewarding, but hard. How do you keep from bringing them all home? My African grey was a plucker when I got her. Breast and legs mainly, but she always left some downy feathers, so was never bare. It took a couple of years, but she quit. Improved diet, quiet and secure environment, toys and tons of attention - who knows why. It sounds like you are not too stressed about it, and I think that's the best approach, beyond ensuring a vet has eliminated any physical causes and providing the best home you can. And telling him regularly he's the most beautiful creature in the world, of course.
|
|