This Is What I Have Come Home To (not Nice)
- Thread starter Julia
- Start date
sunnyring
Regular Member
depressing but if he looks otherwise happy its his choice. I have tried telling Sophie how much more comfy she would feel if she'd just leave those few struggling feathers alone instead of tweaking and preening them this way and that till they drop out-- like a child with a loose tooth. Her cage is in front of a large mirror and we also tried telling her ' Look at your nakedness and be ashamed!' but hey they carry on their own way.
Lou
Regular Member
bless him he wants to look like his flock and to match Chloe, I know this is easy to say but you have to stop doing this to yourself Julia, you have to look at it like Archie will do what Archie wants to do, if he wants to be bold fine whats it really going to change? how is it going to impact on his life really? you know these are just phases, psychological problems don't go away they are managed and for the most part he manages them well there are just times when he cant and fair play to him he deals with it in the only way he knows how, its no reflection on you or the care and love he receives for him its just life, he has a right to express himself as he see's fit, again I am sorry if this all sounds daft its easy for me to say and I don't have a plucker so have no idea what your going through but at some point you have to accept this about him and realise there is nothing more you can do to prevent it or change it, if you love someone you love everything about them, this cant be easy and we will always be here to tell you you could not do or love that bird anymore than you do and his life with you is so enriched its wonderful, we will all be here through these bad phases but you have to stop beating yourself up about it and thinking he should be cured now in theory yes he should be as he could not be in a better home but when it comes psychological issues they are ingrained and there forever like I said earlier its about managing them they wont ever go away, well if they do someone pls tell me how! xxxxxx
old cynic
Regular Member
Ive read this post and Julia you have my sympathy.
. Weve owned a plucker for 28yrs and at times ive not felt like taking the cover off in a morning dreading what we will find .
I often think I should start a post called the Twelve Months of Tim with 12 pics on .
It would shock a lot of people Julia . But now we ride the storm coz Tim comes right and you know what Julia its normally around the same months of the year and that's year in year out .
As Tascha will tell you Julia shes been here a number of times Tim and Fester get everything I doubt theres two birds better fed with massive amount of freedom and attention with us both now been retired
. Yes it is hormones with Tim a lot of the time but before she was one she was stripping her legs !!
Last week I read a brilliant article on plucking by Alan Jones did he talk sense .
Saying you can give em everything and they will still pluck yet so you see a bird kept in horrendous conditions with not a feather out of place !!!
One question Julie is Archie a wood chewer or not ?
. Weve owned a plucker for 28yrs and at times ive not felt like taking the cover off in a morning dreading what we will find .
I often think I should start a post called the Twelve Months of Tim with 12 pics on .
It would shock a lot of people Julia . But now we ride the storm coz Tim comes right and you know what Julia its normally around the same months of the year and that's year in year out .
As Tascha will tell you Julia shes been here a number of times Tim and Fester get everything I doubt theres two birds better fed with massive amount of freedom and attention with us both now been retired
. Yes it is hormones with Tim a lot of the time but before she was one she was stripping her legs !!
Last week I read a brilliant article on plucking by Alan Jones did he talk sense .
Saying you can give em everything and they will still pluck yet so you see a bird kept in horrendous conditions with not a feather out of place !!!
One question Julie is Archie a wood chewer or not ?
Julia
Regular Member
@LouThank you so much for your kind words. I think somewhere in this thread I must have come across as blaming myself for this occurence, I really am not! I just feel so desperately sad for him, to see the little man go from having a nearly perfect set of feathers to a ragamuffin in one day is just heartbreaking, he was doing so well. I know I have not done anything wrong, there may be circumstances that I have changed or things that he doesn't like but at the end of the day I really think it it the feathers themselves that are the problem.
@old cynic I am coming to think that this is maybe an annual occurence as I found out it was a year ago that he did the same thing. Yes it is crazy that you can get perfectly feathered ones in horrid conditions. I think Archie doesn't realise how good he is got it. He is not really a wood chewer Dave, it is Chloe that chews the wood. Archie likes to chew fabric so he has cloths hanging down for him to gnaw on!
I am sure it is a matter of getting used to it, I am a bit of a "fix it" person so I may have to admit that I am powerless over this one.
@old cynic I am coming to think that this is maybe an annual occurence as I found out it was a year ago that he did the same thing. Yes it is crazy that you can get perfectly feathered ones in horrid conditions. I think Archie doesn't realise how good he is got it. He is not really a wood chewer Dave, it is Chloe that chews the wood. Archie likes to chew fabric so he has cloths hanging down for him to gnaw on!
I am sure it is a matter of getting used to it, I am a bit of a "fix it" person so I may have to admit that I am powerless over this one.
Julia
Regular Member
@Lou Ok just walked away from the computer and then thought, hold on she is right! I am beating myself up, I want to think that I am not but I am, it is impossible not to. Archie is in my care and due to circumstances that I arrange he is in this situation. I know I do the best I can but I always will think, "is there more I could have done".
I remember when I first got him I was so frustrated not knowing how other people took care of their birds (pre-forum days). I wanted to go visit someone's house to prove to myself I was doing the right thing, ticking the boxes, doing more than. Joining the forum has allowed me to have a peep into others lives and has helped so much with affirming that I am doing all I can and providing me with valuable insight and information as to how I can improve things. So thank you everyone, I would go off my head with worry if I didn't have all of you to put me straight. Sometimes I still think I have no idea what I am doing. xxx
I remember when I first got him I was so frustrated not knowing how other people took care of their birds (pre-forum days). I wanted to go visit someone's house to prove to myself I was doing the right thing, ticking the boxes, doing more than. Joining the forum has allowed me to have a peep into others lives and has helped so much with affirming that I am doing all I can and providing me with valuable insight and information as to how I can improve things. So thank you everyone, I would go off my head with worry if I didn't have all of you to put me straight. Sometimes I still think I have no idea what I am doing. xxx
Just last week I visited our land lord of the land we lease, who has a managerie of animals, does anyone remember the Rhia (like a white Emu) that I put pictures
up of.
Well his wife also has 3 parrots and finally she allowed me to meet them. Well now I understand her reluctance, There was a grey in one cage and an Ammie and
Alexandrine in another. The cages were a good size, but blimey the mess! I don't know when they were last cleaned out. The water bowl looked disgusting, the food bowl seems to just be topped up each day with pet shop seeds with the old food left in, and a box of monkey nuts on top of the cage.
The Ammie constantly moaning is the only way I can describe it. BUT their feathers were beautiful, the Alexandrine was so friendly. There just doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason??
up of.
Well his wife also has 3 parrots and finally she allowed me to meet them. Well now I understand her reluctance, There was a grey in one cage and an Ammie and
Alexandrine in another. The cages were a good size, but blimey the mess! I don't know when they were last cleaned out. The water bowl looked disgusting, the food bowl seems to just be topped up each day with pet shop seeds with the old food left in, and a box of monkey nuts on top of the cage.
The Ammie constantly moaning is the only way I can describe it. BUT their feathers were beautiful, the Alexandrine was so friendly. There just doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason??
Just reading this Julia. I'm so sorry it's so distressing for you. I know exactly how you feel, Milo, although he doesn't pluck, he snips all the ends off his feathers 
He has everything too. A good diet, exercise, he goes outside or has a lamp, an air purifier lots of toys and attention etc I took him to the vet and they checked him over and took a few feathers to look at under the micro scope. She said he's very healthy and apart from the snipping his feathers are actually in great condition.
It's over bonding in Milos case. My fault. He's always been with me from day one. There's only one thing that makes him stop and that's when he's wet. So every day he has a shower. Until he's soaked. He sits on the sink and sings very loudly and lifts his wings while I spray him he loves it. I also do a few sprays of the soother from Scarlett's afterwards and then he's happy and he sits and leaves it alone. I have to do this every single day though. Just a thought? Also he has the cotton Picka from Scarlett's he loves it and it seems to keep his beak off his feathers.
You are doing everything you can. Don't beat yourself up. I know it's hard x
Sarah-Jane
He has everything too. A good diet, exercise, he goes outside or has a lamp, an air purifier lots of toys and attention etc I took him to the vet and they checked him over and took a few feathers to look at under the micro scope. She said he's very healthy and apart from the snipping his feathers are actually in great condition.
It's over bonding in Milos case. My fault. He's always been with me from day one. There's only one thing that makes him stop and that's when he's wet. So every day he has a shower. Until he's soaked. He sits on the sink and sings very loudly and lifts his wings while I spray him he loves it. I also do a few sprays of the soother from Scarlett's afterwards and then he's happy and he sits and leaves it alone. I have to do this every single day though. Just a thought? Also he has the cotton Picka from Scarlett's he loves it and it seems to keep his beak off his feathers.
You are doing everything you can. Don't beat yourself up. I know it's hard x
Sarah-Jane
Some good posts there and I agree with Lou completely, although I can only imagine how heartbreaking it is for you, you just have to smile and give Archie the attention he always has, not more, not less. Everything just constant.
As for the reasons, lots of valid comments made but I'm sure they'll be people who find the exception to your thinking. We just look for patterns and try to find those reasons. But I look at it like they are people. Some people can have similar experiences yet respond in completely different ways. We know parrots are unique in their personalities, just like people. It's this uniqueness we love and although we can rule out underlying causes for this, sometimes we just have to just ensure they are loved regardless of what they do. Archie and others including Sophie are such lucky birds as they are in homes who love them regardless of how they 'look'. I'm sure there are lots of birds out there who are not so lucky. And those of us who have not yet had the experiences of pluckers yet, just see those birds who do pluck as beautiful anyway. It's only people who have no idea of the complexities of these wonderful birds that would not understand and their views don't count anyway! ?
As for the reasons, lots of valid comments made but I'm sure they'll be people who find the exception to your thinking. We just look for patterns and try to find those reasons. But I look at it like they are people. Some people can have similar experiences yet respond in completely different ways. We know parrots are unique in their personalities, just like people. It's this uniqueness we love and although we can rule out underlying causes for this, sometimes we just have to just ensure they are loved regardless of what they do. Archie and others including Sophie are such lucky birds as they are in homes who love them regardless of how they 'look'. I'm sure there are lots of birds out there who are not so lucky. And those of us who have not yet had the experiences of pluckers yet, just see those birds who do pluck as beautiful anyway. It's only people who have no idea of the complexities of these wonderful birds that would not understand and their views don't count anyway! ?
Fartin Martin
Regular Member
What vet are you using?! Maybe get a second opinion?!
Zak
Regular Member
@Julia No need to beat yourself over it... I could never ever figure out why Beerbul did it and the vet always told me too it's a psychological issue - how true that is, I don't know. I'm sure anyone who has a plucking friend has that sinking feeling seeing the behaviour revert back to self-destruction especially after it has been ok for some time and there are new feathers covering them. But, the best we can do is what you're already doing - attention, care, affection... this habit may be compared with that of nail-biting in humans, those doing it can't help it. I hope one day there is a definitive answer and method to resolve it... but until then we just need to persevere in doing the best we can. Has Archie stopped by now?
Julia, he looks amazing and is so content. Maybe it is just hormones if he did the same thing last year. I'm not sure what a vet would offer now. Maybe it was just an 'episode' and it has now passed. Maybe keep a diary of when it happens to see if you can find a pattern. But one thing for sure, he looks so happy and why wouldn't he be? Cage free with you who understands him. I'd just focus on changing your reaction to the plucking, not on changing Archie. Then you'll both be happy! ?
Julia
Regular Member
He didn't actually do any plucking or chewing today.
I have a bit of a theory about plucking and the connection with eating and being fed which I am working on. I will continue to try to figure it out and watch for patterns as that is just the type of person I am and actually I find it really interesting. It can be my scientific study!
Ok @Bradders how should I change my reaction cheeky lady! I can't help but be sad about it.
I have a bit of a theory about plucking and the connection with eating and being fed which I am working on. I will continue to try to figure it out and watch for patterns as that is just the type of person I am and actually I find it really interesting. It can be my scientific study!
Ok @Bradders how should I change my reaction cheeky lady! I can't help but be sad about it.
Haha Julia, we may not have control over things that happen to us. But we can control how we react to things. I'm working on this personally as sometimes I feel I don't agree with a lot of issues in my job. But I can choose how I respond to this. If I didn't I'd be struggling a lot in my job with all the things thrown at me, not from my school I should add but the powers that are beyond that.
So, change your mindset to the plucking, instead of looking at it as he's losing his gorgeous feathers, perhaps think that the plucking has brought him some relief and helped him through a difficult moment. Are we putting a human way of thinking on it, and seeing it as self harm? It might not be, just some feathers that are causing him stress whatever reason that may be. Who are we to say it's not right because it doesn't look 'normal'. For Archie, it might be a way of coping with something. I'm not saying I'm on to anything here, just that you can look at the plucking in a different way. I know one thing though, it's not affecting him like it affects you.
apologies here also as I'm aware I've no experience of a plucker and might well feel the same way you do if it happened to me but looking at it from an outsider, he's gorgeous and happy, and you can't ask for much more than that.
So, change your mindset to the plucking, instead of looking at it as he's losing his gorgeous feathers, perhaps think that the plucking has brought him some relief and helped him through a difficult moment. Are we putting a human way of thinking on it, and seeing it as self harm? It might not be, just some feathers that are causing him stress whatever reason that may be. Who are we to say it's not right because it doesn't look 'normal'. For Archie, it might be a way of coping with something. I'm not saying I'm on to anything here, just that you can look at the plucking in a different way. I know one thing though, it's not affecting him like it affects you.
apologies here also as I'm aware I've no experience of a plucker and might well feel the same way you do if it happened to me but looking at it from an outsider, he's gorgeous and happy, and you can't ask for much more than that.
Lou
Regular Member
yep happy chappy just one thing to consider and I know I can harp on about this so pls forgive me you know I don't want to offend but it could be diet related with the Harrisons? birds are showing having reactions to this and it makes me think of Margy's Roxxi who is doing better plucking wise now she is not being fed it?? its just an idea, more than likely is hormones though, I also don't think your vet is a bad vet because he wont give a collar, it is psychological and we know its a prevention and not a cure and I think it would make him worse and more depressed
just one thing to consider and I know I can harp on about this so pls forgive me you know I don't want to offend but it could be diet related with the Harrisons? birds are showing having reactions to this and it makes me think of Margy's Roxxi who is doing better plucking wise now she is not being fed it?? its just an idea, more than likely is hormones though, I also don't think your vet is a bad vet because he wont give a collar, it is psychological and we know its a prevention and not a cure and I think it would make him worse and more depressed