shannonzee

It's official ~ Belle had absolutely NOTHING wrong with her. She had simply become 'scared' of her favorite swing perch that she'd had for over 6 months in her cage! I noticed this about two weeks after my last post. She used to swing, scream, hang, and attack this particular perch. Couldn't get her off of it some days. Then, I noticed that when she would wander to the other end of her cage (perch was in the middle), she would very cautiously go around the perch and then proceed to do what she was doing. I coaxed her to opposite ends of the cage about four times to make sure I saw what I saw. And yes, I guess, at some point, the perch & her had a disagreement, and apparently, the perch won! Once I took it out, it was almost an instant sigh of relief from her! The feather chewing stopped almost completely within 2 days, and although she still occasionally chews one or two feathers, everything is pretty much back to normal! (I think the residual feather chewing is a result of the habit she had formed). Thank you to everyone that gave some pointers, I was extremely happy that no one judged me! I hope that my admission of the 'bad toy' will help someone else in the future who may have the mysterious feather chewing story on their hands.

Thank you - that is reassuring that I'm not the only "bad parent" out there! ha ha ha It is stressful to me, but we have started with the aloe gel (I was unable to locate the juice here). We started it 2 nights ago, and the first night, she despised me for putting it on her, but tonight, she actually stayed put while we were doing it - I'm guessing that's making her feel better. I will take your suggestion on the flying game - she loves to flap-flap-flap on her playstand (sending feathers everywhere), so I bet she will love that. As for keeping her busy - since this started, she's never had so much to do in her cage! She definately is used to it She lets me know when I've forgotten to add treats to her toys to look for. I know she's playing, as everything's getting destroyed, and every day, there''s new challenges to make her work harder. Perhaps this is a hormonal thing, or a bad habit. At least, this is what I'm hoping for. I would be devastated if the vet missed something. I would be even more devastated if I caused this somehow... Thank you for your advice! As I said, we're willing to try anything! I'll let you know how the aloe is going...

Thank you both for the advice. Yes sugarbeth - it was an avian vet - I'm crazy, I have 4 birds She did blood work & took a stool sample from her. Everything came back normal... My husband is very much like a bird (ha ha ha ha) he hates the dry winters, so the humidity in our house is 'bird-friendly'(?) - feels like a rain forest some days...just kidding - it doesn't get that bad I am going to try the Aloe Vera solution - perhaps that's what it is... the "bare" areas are much more obvious these days - the picture I had put up was within the first week. If anyone else has a suggestion, like I said, I'm willing to try anything!! Aloe Vera, here we come!

Great idea on the rawhide! I have tried baby toys (yes, they are a bit more expensive) and LOVE them since they are safe! and Belle has a hard time destroying them! To the dog section we go!! I know he's not popular on this site, but for $50 a month, I've subscribed to Chet's toy club - so far, the toys are a HIT! They are natural, safe, and completely destructible Even at that price, I'm still saving money - instead of going to a pet store where I was spending about $100/month, and still had to bring the toys home to "bird-proof" them.

Here's a pic of what my gal looks like (eek! My baby!)

My 2year old female has begun chewing her neck feathers - just in the front. I say chewing, because she is leaving them attached, just chewing them to the skin. I have visited the vet, all seems to be fine. We've tried many foraging toys, which she LOVES, but the chewing is still happening. We've even tried (god help me for admitting this), a collar, but she figured out how to take that off, and it's become a game. She's not losing weight, she's eating as normal, her droppings are great. She's starting to look funny, as there are many bare spots on her neck. This started about a month ago - the latest we've tried is a spray from Harrison's to soothe her neck, thinking that the chewing was a short phase, and she was only continuing because they were irritating her as they grew back (feathers). Has anyone experienced this? We haven't had any big changes in the house this year, except for 1 more bird, and she was here months before the chewing started!! If anything, she's getting a little more attention, just so she doesn't feel left out. Her trick training is succeeding, she's learning more songs, speaking better, etc... If anyone has any suggestions - I'm willing to try just about anything! One thought I had was that it's been a long cold winter (had snow today-ha ha ha), and she's lacking vitamin D (she was outside just about every day in the summer)? HELP! Post edited by: shannonzee, at: 2009/04/26 01:04<br><br>Post edited by: shannonzee, at: 2009/04/26 01:06

I'm going to "defend" Chet...Yes, he is making millions off of inexperienced bird owners, and yes, some of his techniques are odd (to say the least). However, have any of you ever been at your wits end with your bird (noise, neediness, destruction, stubborness, etc)? Although I may not agree with all of his ways, I do find, that if I listen, and think about what he's talking about, I can make sense of MY birds, and incorporate some of his techniques into my daily training. I don't WANT a bird that just sits & cuddles, or stays in his cage. Yes, over time, they will "get used to you", but we all have birds that are going to live a VERY long time - most of them will outlive us! Don't you want to know that when you're gone, your bird will be a happy, easygoing pet that ANYONE will be able to take care of? That's my concern ~ who wants a bird that will only allow ONE person to play with them? When you're gone - who is that ONE person going to be? No One...I know my "kids" aren't perfect, but if you really sit & listen to his advice, and think about it - he really does explain a LOT of how a bird thinks, reacts, and honestly? I had no idea how to "think like a bird". I will be the first one to say that I'm not an expert, and I will be the first one in line to accept & learn new techniques & advice.

I would LOVE to join thins club!I even have the battle scars to prove it! My least favorite trick is Belle's classic: She puts her head down, begging for a pet, and when I finally give in, she bites! Ahhh, well, what can we do? We love these little beasts

Ok - pics are up...just 3 though, I didn't want to go crazy & use up ALL the space:evil:

Thanks judygram! Your kindness is appreciated! I was just kidding when I said I was spanked I cannot believe the open arms on this forum ~ it ranks right up there in my new favorite place to be! Am I ever glad I decided to 'make myself known' I will be putting up pictures of Belle that we took in the summer outside in our gazebo. We had built a structure out of plastic piping for her to be on & climb while we were outside - instead of her climbing all over the place - she seems to enjoy it very much! Thanks again judygram!

Thank you for your input. That was what I thought, but I just wanted to know other experiences...

I have been gently 'spanked' for not introducing myself...I initially joined just over a year ago when I first found Belle, to answer questions, read, learn, and to get some new ideas. However, I was very new to being a grey mom, and was nervous that I was doing something wrong, so I stayed away from the forums, and just read! Boy, did I read! So many sites, books, videos...and really? They all say the same thing ~ just in different ways! I love birds - I always have. I fell in love with 2 budgies we were bird sitting when I was just 9 years old. My parents never let me own my own, so that was the first thing I did when I got my own house 7 years ago! We rescued 2 budgies that were injured from a pet store. Gave them a great life - their injuries were too severe to expect them to live long. We had them for over a year. During that time, word got out that I rescued these two, and somehow, I ended up with 2 finches, 1 lovebird, 2 additional budgies, and 2 tiels. All of these little guys were unwanted by their owners, and being the sucker that I am, I took them in. Cleaned them up, got them on proper pellet diets, and found them new homes. I was left with my favorite cockatiel - Marshall. He is a grey & white cockatiel, no red cheeks - very much like a miniature grey! My ultimate goal was to one day own a grey, an amazon, and perhaps a macaw, but I knew I had to work my way up the chain - to learn - to not hurt them in any way. To be able to give them the attention & love they require. Now, I have Marshall (he's 7yrs old), and Belle (she's my grey - will be 2 in February - I think). I found Belle in a pet store - she had been purchsed, and then returned 3 weeks later - the owners couldn't handle her. Of course, it was love at first sight! We brought her home that evening, and she has grown to cherish her pet (my husband). This is where the desperation came in from me to have her learn to trust me, to love me. I know that sounds selfish, but after Marshall just took to me instantly, it was disheartening to have her "pick him" - as he is not a bird person! Of course, over time, he has learned (with instruction from me) to love her, and appreciate her quirks, and to notice when she's "flirting" with him (dropping her wings). We have been successful in the last few months in her learning to trust me. No petting yet, but it will come in time. I've learned to not push the issue, as she knew I was Marshall's 'pet' first. She's excited to learn new things, and is getting used to new toys quicker, and is not as skittish - all this since we've started to learn tricks! Which brings me here - I need toys. My creativity has disappeared, and I find a lot of the toys in the stores aren't safe! Also treats! We can only eat so much cereal during training! She hates natural sunflower seeds (loves the salted <- but that's why she doesn't get them often). The other reason I'm here is to read other problems that people are having - and their successes too! To know that I'm not the only one... I look forward to meeting you all!

Right now, her favorite trick is to take a key, lego piece, anything that makes noise & to drop it into a metal bowl. She does it on command, and only gets a trick if she succeeds (Now). It seems boring - but she loves it! Eventually, we're going to work towards matching shapes into one of those children's blocks (hopefully). The other trick we're working on is learning her colors - this is a long & tedious process, but we're starting with blue, then we'll slowly add other colors so she memorizes them. As far as speaking - she seems to be leaning toward learning songs & animal noises! She "do-do's" the Winnie the Pooh song, and has parts of Jingle Bells. Whenever she's in the mood, she says "Wanna sing?" Then breaks into her versions! Most of the tricks that I am going to do are variations of the videos received from Chet's website. Not all of them are going to work - I know that, but learning about her & her curiosities is the first step!

I am looking into getting a Green Fronted Amazon parrot. Another rescue. After a few weeks of him being in our home, I would like to consider placing him in our Grey's cage. Since it is so large! Has anyone, or does anyone, have other birds with their AG's? I have a cockatiel, which will NOT be housed with her, since she could eat her in one bite! Since Belle has been on her own for a year, I know this might cause some "problems", but she will get over the basics ~ I'm looking for advice? I do have another cage for the Amazon should things not work out, but I HATE cleaning 2 cages - why make it 3?

I am in no way defending Chet - I am happy that I obtained some information for the $$ that I spent! I have been a bird owner for only about 7 years, and through that short time, I have seen (I'm sure you all have) people who think they're bird owners, when, in fact, they are just slowly killing their pets with neglect, boredom, malnourishment, etc. I am the queen of looking for help - I have read just about every website out there, every book, just because I want to be sure I am not doing anything wrong. In truth, they all pretty much say the same thing, just in different ways. But, unless we take the time to learn, we are not going to ever improve. You are probably right in stating that it was my determination to do this that 'broke' ground with Belle, and I cannot be happier with the difference in her personality!

I have heard of this site, and I have purchased a few of their videos as well. At first, it was overwhelming, and I thought "This is never going to happen", so I put it away, and chalked it up to lost money. A few months ago, I was still not having any success in my grey NOT biting me, not listening, etc. (She loves my husband). I pulled out the videos & gave it an honest effort. What a huge surprise! I'm kicking myself for not taking it seriously earlier! Although she's not a "superstar" like the birds on the videos, she is taking a huge interest in learning the tricks. AND she is now respecting me - no more biting, snapping, etc. She still won't let me pet her like my husband can, but there is a level of excitement when she sees me - almost "What are we going to do today?" kind of look! I do work full time, and I didn't think this was ever going to work. Until I realized that even 20 minutes in the evenings was going to work out If you invest your time and patience, I am sure you won't be disappointed! Yes, the emails can be annoying, but when you read the stories, sometimes an idea that someone else had works! We need to shake down our pride of being bird owners, and admit, we don't always know everything. If we did, we'd all have perfect birds, wouldn't we? Some of his stuff is common sense, but sometimes, it's the way he presents it - the biggest one for me? Thinking like a bird - especially the 2 year old that we all have.