Bailey Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Well Shay has started again.. She has been plucking like mad since I got home 45 min ago. I had to run to the store.. I get home to let her out and she she is striping and plucking like crazy.. This is horrible news she was actually starting to grow more feathers back.. I can't figure it out. could it be because this is the first day I have left her for any extended amount of time?? Sadly I wlll be seperating Sam and Shay tonight I was trying to avoide it at all cost because they seem to really love and want each other.. She has ripped out a good chuck of the new fether growth on herself and now she is working on whats left of Sams beautiful feathers. I feel like I have failed we were doing so good in the last few days..<br><br>Post edited by: Bailey, at: 2008/02/02 01:01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Bailey, I am so sorry to hear she has started plucking again, but maybe you will have to separate them so she will not pluck out Sam's feathers too. It could be a reaction to being left for an extended amount of time, this is going to be difficult to resolve especially if it is being left alone that is causing her to pluck. Don't despair, Bailey, you are doing what you can to stop it but it is not your fault, maybe some of the other members will have some suggestions that may help to put an end to this plucking. In the meantime ignore it and keep your chin up.:ohmy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nychsa Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 It really seems like very obsessive behavior. If the vet ruled out that she has some pathology that is causing her discomfort and causing her to pluck, then she really needs something to redirect her obsessive behavior. Does she have any interest in shredding toys, foraging anything that would keep her interested and occupied? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted February 2, 2008 Author Share Posted February 2, 2008 we have tons of toys and old phone books with the whole thought of plucking parrot in mind. I thank you for the suggestions. She does really well when I am home which anymore with the weather I usually am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tari Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 What did the vet say? You should not feel like you failed sometimes parrots pluck kind of like we chew our nails. And there is not much you can do but try to slow it down. I have a plucker for the most part he does pretty well till spring then he pulls the few that can grow back. He is naked on most of his chest. Wait here he is. The legs is what he plucks these days someday they well stop growing back. All you can do is your best and try not to beat yourself up over it. :kiss: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Very good advice Tari, sometimes they just do it and there is nothing you can do to stop them but just love them unconditionally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nychsa Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Geezum, isn't this one of those times where you wish you had like a video cam or something so you could see how she gets going when you're not around? I can really appreciate what you're going through. Hang in there! If she's fine when you're around, and then starts flipping out when you leave - I wonder how she gets that going. I bought Bella one of those mirrors that plays a recording when it detects motion in front of it. I recorded my voice talking to her the way I do when I'm around. She plays with that silly mirror when I'm here, so, I imagine she messes with it when I'm gone too. Since I have greyhounds as well, I usually play soothing music on XM (Audio Visions) while I'm gone. The greyhounds are accostomed to always hearing music during the day from their time on the race track. The parrots know now when the music comes on, I'm getting ready to leave for work. Jiggy goes automatically into his cage and starts playing with his stuff. Bella needs a bit of an extra invitation to go in, but she does and starts playing with that mirror. But - what they do when I'm gone - NO IDEA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamelessmuse Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Awe, sweetie you didn't fail!! You can't blame yourself for your baby's issues. She's obviously has some things to over come. Just keep learning all you can so you can help her. Oh, and what are they currently eating...a number of feather pluckers have issues due to food additives and pestacides and such Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MazyAK Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I hear a couple of ideas above,,,, saying the vet gives a physical clean bill of health. Turn on a video camera on the cage 20 minutes before you leave and leave it on when you go,,,,when you get home and he's plucking watch the video, you may see something. The other idea is take a video camera and sit in a chair and read a book out loud and video it for an hour or longer. Then just before you leave turn it on where the birds can see and hear it. Be back before the tape is over. If no plucking, the next time you leave turn on the tape, and be gone at least an hour after the tape ends. If upon returning to a plucker, you are on to something. Then it's time for some serious work. when you leave the next time be back before the tape ends. The time after, get back just before or as it ends. Even wait outside and come in as it ends. The next time come in 4 or 5 minutes after the tape ends. Each return thereafter should be just a few minutes more each time, therefore increasing the time from the end of the tape until you walk in the door.Hopefully the problem fades away in this type of longterm be43havior modification training. Just an idea! Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted February 2, 2008 Author Share Posted February 2, 2008 Thanks for the support guys. She is currently on Pretty Bird I am trying to switch Them over to Roudy Bush Pellets so far not much luck she is pretty set in eating simply nuts. She has a small window of veggies/fruits that she will eat. I don't have a working camcorder due to my son wanting to take a video. I do however have a new digital camera that takes 20 min with audio. I will try borrow a friends so I can make a video of her when I leave and for her of myself. I thought of making an audio recording on my computer but I suppose it would work better with a visual. I do appreciate everyone's support. I do tend to take it take it hard because I have a horrible problem with wanting to fix everything I guess its just the mommy in me.<br><br>Post edited by: Bailey, at: 2008/02/02 08:40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 Bailey i'm sad to hear that,dont beat yourself up over it as frustrating as it is,pinpointing the reason for plucking is always a difficult task for owners, it's a casr of two steps forward & one step backwards,take each day as it comes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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