Pria

Thanks all for your help and advice. I was having a terrible day yesterday and let everything get to me and was starting to feel...well a failure. An early night and reading all the advice has put me back on track. Your right, I do love Billy for who she is and have to accept, at this moment in time this is what Billy does but hopefully, with a bit of love and patience it might not be forever. Thanks all x

Thank you Talon, your words of wisdom have been a great reassurance. Right an early night and a change of attitude I think! I am not being patient and it is showing...thanks again. Sophie

Thank you Judy. I am even annoying myself as I know I have to stop worrying...its just doing it! Some days Im fine about it and others like today Im not! Yes ive tried the Aloe but it seems misting of any sort makes her pick more when the feathers are wet she seems to be able to cause maximum damage! Thanks for your advice as always.

Sorry to have to vent on here but I have to have a winge at people who understand! I am getting increasingly frustrated at Billys overpreening/picking of her back and neck feathers, I am worried she is soon going to create bald spots. I know me fretting about it is only going to make matters worse but I am sure the problem is getting worse not better. I have been to the avian vet, we have a uv lamp, humidifier, toys and plently of time out the cage, I have spent a fortune on foraging toys/shredding toys activity toys etc. Im pretty sure she knows it bothers me as sometimes she shouts ''no'' when she is doing it (even though I have never said this to her). I have been giving her MORE cage time on advice from the avian vet who thought she might be feeling insecure out of her cage as she wasnt out very much in her previous home. The vet also advised me to put her onto a pellet diet which she took to very easily. Ive also firmed up Billys routine and she has always had 12 hours uninterupted, dark sleep. Spraying misting only seems to make her worse and she always picks after she has been sprayed. I have Avix rain spray and soother. The only other suggestion the vet had was sexual frustration. Billy likes the ladies and didnt get too much attention from them in her old house and now her bonded person is female who gives her a lot of attention. Does anyone else have any ideas? Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Its very frustrating not seeing any improvements. I tell myself I have to stop thinking and obsessing over it so much but its so difficult when I feel like I must be doing something wrong? Am i expecting too much too soon? I have had Billy for just over 8 weeks. Well rant over....I feel a bit better already ;D

That looks fantastic! What lucky birds you have.

Thanks guys, when we first got her she was a total sun flower junkie so I put her on Johnson and Jeff low sunflower African Grey seed. Tea time I mashed the pellets in with a load of vegetables and pasta. I couldnt watch her or she doesnt eat but I dont think she was fooled. A lot of it got thrown at the dog lol. The vet said her weight was fine and she was healthy enough to 'force' her into the food change but I still cant help but worry. Going to have a go at eating some myself (ummmmmm) and pretend she cant have any see if that works ;D Thats interesting that the companies will send out samples, didnt know that thanks for that pikachu.

Hi all, Billy had her first trip to the avian vet yesterday. Overall she believes Billy to be a healthy and good natured bird. She did however recommend I put her onto Harrisons foods. Billy, However, isnt very impressed by this and her first bowl ended up getting thrown at me ;S. Just wondering if anyone has any tips who has been through it before? I was wondering about crushing some of the biscuits up and mixing it with something else? The vet wasnt overly concerned with Billy's feather chewing but suggested I settle her into more of a routine. She also suggested it may be sexual frustration. She only chews on one side of the back of her neck and her back. Ive ordered some Axiv sprays and her sun lamp came yesterday so Im excited about the possible improvements. Anyway thanks again for all the advice and support on here, it really is a wonderfl site, I hope with time I will be able to help and offer advice aswell. Sophie

Any update Sarah? Did you ring the police? X

Steve is right this is civil and nothing to do with the Police. I cannot understand how they have got involved in what sounds like a verbal agreement between you and the seller. Have you been told the full story here?? Perhaps Archie was already ''stolen goods'' and you have unknowingly bought him. All I know for sure is the Police would not normally get involved in the circumstances you describe (I work for the Police in the UK).

Hey guys, its a large branch off a hawthorn, I was lucky enough to spot some kind tree surgeons cutting one down and they got me this perfect branch. My husband then spent 2 entire weekends taking the bark off with the best tool we could find...a pizza slice! Yes Doug thats my next project too, I picked some apple tree branches up yesterday from my friends garden and intend to make her some perches for her cage with the bark on, that should keep her busy!

Hi everyone, just wanted to share these photos of Billy enjoying her new play stand, it took about two weeks of eyeing it suspiciously before she hopped on today

Mister Beak! I love it!

Hi all, I just wanted to share these photos with you. We have had Billy for just over 3 weeks now and in that time she hasnt let me touch her....until now! Im so happy! Still working on her over preening but I have seen a definate improvement with the Aloe sprays and hemp seeds.

Thats a great idea, she does love to rip things up! Ive been trying to ignore her doing it but I'll give this a try. Ive tried giving her new toys but she is scared of everything so this might be the answer.

Hi everyone, Just a quick update, Billy is still chewing her feathers I have bought a humidifier, mist her and she only ever goes in her cage to sleep or when we are out (which isnt very much). I think I must book us in at the vets for her to be checked over. Im hoping this isnt going to get her even more stressed than she already is! On a postive note Im really enjoying working on our bond and have taken on what everyone has said about not pushing her and letting her come to me when she wants to. I just hope we can overcome the chewing issues. Thanks again for all the help Sophie