Well, Its official! (And some questions)

As of sometime this week or next, I will be the semi-owner of an CAG I am getting him on a trial. He is a picker/self-mutilator on the underside of his right wing and a little on his right breast. He is on an herbal calming supplement once a day as well as a pain reliever once a day. His feathers, when he does let them grow, grow in like ingrown hairs. He has had an experimental surgery to try and stop all feather growth there, but it didn't work. So we will be trying to deal with that. I am going to try and put a cone on him so he can't pick, he is getting a bigger cage and we are changing his diet (right now he gets no real foods, only some flavored, bright colored puffs)

Any suggestions about the feathers? What is the best food for them? I have heard about Harrisons (I think that's what it is) and I can buy it at a local vets office. Is that a good food?

Has anyone tried this?

FEATHER DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR KIT-harrisonbirdfoods.com

I was thinking of that plus their "Bird Builder" supplement, as it says it can increase the feather strength and appearance.

Higgins, Harrison's and Roudybush all make excellent foods for CAG's. Sounds like you have your work cut out for you, but if you can help him it will all be so worth the effort.

Do you have any previous bird experience? I hope your a have quite a bit of bird experience for your sake as well as the birds. I NEVER recommend a rescued bird for anyone who doesn't have a lot of previous and current bird experience because eventhough it could tuyrn out wonderful for you both, it will more than likely end badly and it sounds like this bird has some serious issues.

mtdoramike said:

Do you have any previous bird experience? I hope your a have quite a bit of bird experience for your sake as well as the birds. I NEVER recommend a rescued bird for anyone who doesn't have a lot of previous and current bird experience because eventhough it could tuyrn out wonderful for you both, it will more than likely end badly and it sounds like this bird has some serious issues.

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I haven't owned a bird, but have worked with them at school (I understand that's not the same as owning a bird, and I don't expect it to be). I don't get a pet without research, and his current owners are my roommates so I will get to live with him until I decide whether to adopt him or not. That's also why I joined this forum, is to get help. He is a great bird, I can see it in the time I have spent with him. He just needs an owner who is more dedicated to him then his current owners. I already have built him a stand so he can be in the living room with us, as well as countless toys (both hanging and foot toys) to help keep him occupied as he won't pick if he is busy (this I know from seeing it. He only picks when no one is paying attention to him ) and he has had the same toys for a good 2 months.

ETA:
I don't expect it to be an easy road. I also know that there is a 99% percent change he will never stop picking. But does that mean I shouldn't try? I honestly don't think it does. It means I will have to be willing to do more then a lot of bird owners to make sure that it is kept under control to the best of my abilities, and to seek help from others along the way to be sure that I am doing it right.