Suggestions for adopting a severe plucker (long)

I just got the word that we will get to adopt a U2 with severe plucking issues. Actually she mutilates. She was brought in to the clinic where I work in November because she had mutilated herself to the point she had opened the abdominal wall. Healing has been a slow process. It all began when the parrot she lived with died 4 years ago, then she transferred her bond to her caregiver and if he was not holding her, she plucked.

She is healed now, is very sweet but nervous. (never mean). No rescue groups could take her due to her issues and when I found this out, I offered to bring her home here. I have a 23 year old grey so she'll get to see another bird.

Right now my plan is to just get on on a really good diet (she was on mostly pellets only), I am not going to get lovey dovey with her as that seemed to be the problem. I WILL let her have fun, games and basically just be a bird. I have tried foraging games at work and she just looks at the things like it is a trick........but I will continue to offer them.

Anyway..........any suggestions on what I can do to make this transition as smooth as possible would be appreciated!!!

Thanks!
Pengle

First, thank you for taking in this sweet little bird despite her challenges. I am also glad to hear the severe wound is healing up well and she is on the road to recovery. Toos' are notrious birds for plucking when they don't get huge amounts of attention. The key is teaching them independent play and self rewarding activities so they have a positive way to keep occupied when their favorite person isn't around. Since you work in a vet clinic already, I'm sure you will have a excellent opportunity to get top notch advice to help her overcome her plucking. I do think for such an attention needy bird, keeping your distance a bit from day one will probably be a good bet. If she isn't given 24/7 attention while she settles into her new routines in your home, she will hopefully learn right off she needs to entertain herself (with fun toys of course!). Dont get her into a pattern of tons of extra attention up front so when you are giving her normal amounts of attention later she misinterprets it as a bad thing and reverts back to plucking. Encouraging her to play with various types of toys and teaching her "games" she can play with herself will hopefully lead to her learning more appropriate behaviors while your not around. Best of luck.

Two years ago I took in a then 12 year old female Eclectus who was looking for her 4th home. She had been plucking for 6 or 7 years apparently. In some areas she can no longer grow feathers.

Just like the bird you are going to get, Bella had become very close to the women in her previous homes and the more they babied her and worried about her, the more aggressive she became to others. Each time she was rehomed it was because the other family members were tired of being attacked or screamed at. In one home whenever the husband spoke Bella called out loudly.

So, like you, I decided to make an effort to not let Bella become dependent on me. Let me tell you, this is not as easy as it sounds. For the first couple weeks whenever I entered the bird room she would lift her foot, wanting to be picked up. I didn't though. Instead I stood close and talked to her nicely but not too long and never in a voice that was anything but upbeat. No pity or babying.

My bird room is divided from my living room with a screened (wire actually) wall in wood framed panels. She climbed on the wall thinking she should be with me instead of in that room with other Eclectus.

I'd say it took about two weeks and then she began attending to birdie business. I have a never ending supply of pinecones nearby and thankfully she discovered that they are wonderful to chew. She started climbing about the room on the branches and ropes I have spanning the room and in general learned how to amuse herself.

It helped that LaFitte took an interest in her, but at first she was shocked when another Eclectus approached her. Now, two years later, they have bonded. I rarely hold her, but can. She is nice to all visitors and will sit with men as well as women now.

I know the best thing I did for Bella was to NOT fawn over her, cuddle her or let her become too attached to me.

Thank you so much for your reply!!! It really give me encouragement that this is doable and that I am following down the correct path!!


Pengle

Yes, you are. Thanks for helping this poor angel. Many people will not take on severe pluckers. I have had some success. A better diet including fresh fruits & vegetables will help. Pellets only are boring & unsatisfying. Plus, daily bathing & showering will help with itchiness from new growing feathers. Good luck. You have your work cut out for you.

Firstly i'd like to say thank you so much for the great thing you have done. As the plucking goes just keep her entertained and stimulated. She is a cockatoo so lots of brain work like puzzles and foragaging and of course wood chewing/shredding. Also you can try preen toys like fleece and so on. I seen a topic on what some one called pom poms which were fleece strips tied together to make a ball. as for the mutalating that may never change and she may always have to wear one of those horrible heavy collars, but it is for the best. Keep care of her feathers for her like preening her head and so on were she sadly cannot reach.

I took on a servely plucked harlequin macaw i mean had head/neck feathers and nothing else. Just the fact of moving him from the rescue to my home stimulated feather growth not to mention the fact that she gets lots of great toys/ attention from someone she loves. Love, care, and stimulation seems to be the best for these pluckers.

I wish you luck and again thank you=).