Joey updates, questions, DIY play gym pictures!

Hey everyone!!

So I've had Joey for almost a month! Can't believe how fast it's been going! He's been doing fantastic. I have a lot of questions though... He is an over preener (He's on avicalm and fetheriffic and I make him chamomile tea) but lately he's been dropping feathers over the past 3-4 days. Even when he's just shaking out after a shower. I'm not sure if he's molting, because his chest is looking a bit more patchy I think? But I've collected the feathers and I'm taking him to the CAV today at 2, so if you have any additional question suggestions for the vet it would be extremely helpful. I've already started writing out a list. He does have pin feathers, so it might just be a molt, but him being so new with me I thought a vet check would be best.

I take him for walks outside when I walk the dog, I'm not sure if he likes it yet, but I figured the fresh air and sun is good for him and he's not clicking his beak anymore when we go (Unless a lawnmower or car comes by). So do you think it's appropriate to keep taking him with? I'd rather bring him then have him home by himself..

While we're walking he always sees these trees that he wants to climb, he leans away from my shoulder and tries to grab them. I'm awful at identifying trees, and I know that they're not always safe especially if uncleaned, but I was wondering if (With a harness on , Of course!!) this tree is okay for him to climb? It's short so I can easily get him out if he climbs to the top, but I'm not great at identifying trees, I'll ask the vet today as well. Below is a pic of the tree if anyone is better than me at identifying.



He also started this thing where if he's on my shoulder and I'm doing homework, he'll pinch through my shirt so I have to pull his beak off (gently) and then he grabs my fingers and I'll start playfully grabbing his head and he'll grab my fingers with his feet and regurigitate. Is this playful? I love doing it with him, I think it's wrestling and he just starting doing it this past couple days. It's the first time he's actually tried to play (if that's what this is?).

I have many more questions, but heres a pic of the playstand I'm working on. I'll also post cage pics later, I would LOVE suggestions since he doesnt really play or move on the stand or in his cage much...


I hope this all makes sense, I wrote it in kind of a hurry haha. I'm happy to elaborate on anything and i'll post more pics in a bit.

Also, for the shower perch I made him (I'll post pics of that too later) Can I first wrap it in duct tape and then go over it with vetwrap? Same with the play gym? For the portions I feel are less strong

Here are some more pics, sorry the cage is a bit of a mess, I'm cleaning it now...
Again, open to any toy suggestions or whatever. I'm trying to help with the overpreening but I'm having trouble getting him interested in things. He does chew on the wood blocks so I bought him TONS of wood based toys. But it doesnt keep his interest long...

That is one heck of a play gym! I would stay away from duct tape, your macaw is going to go thru vet tape eventually and start chewing on adhesive - yuk. I would try to fit some wood blocks onto the gym - drill a hole thru the blocks with a spade bit , and slip them onto some of the PVC. Color them with food coloring, to make them interesting. climbing trees - macs and amazons are tree top dwellers, so expect him to go to the top. How are you getting him down?? yanking on the harness? Carrying a ladder with you on your walks? Unless your CAV prescribed those commercial sprays, i would wait til your visit, but it sounds like a molt, to me.

Thank you for the reply!! I was going to climb the tree haha. I love climbing as well. I'm also a 6ft tall girl, so it's not too high for me at all.

Heading to the bird vet now so I'll update you after!

Congrats on a successful first month with your scarlet!

Has he always been an over-preener? Be sure to address this with your CAG as it continues. Birds pluck themselves for a number of reasons...stress, poor diet or environment, not enough stimulation. Scarlets are the more active of the macaws out there, so they need a lot more mental stimulation (training sessions, lots of variety in diet, lots of toys to destroy, etc.), more than other macaws.

Love the PVC gym, looks super fun for your Scarlet! I would personally wrpa all the smooth PVC with vet wrap so he can grip more easily.

The pinching and playing and regurgitating sound like affectionate behavior, totally normal, and yes it is cute, isn't it? Good luck with your scarlet!!

And I love the wood block idea!! I was also thinking about putting some plastic colored rings on some of the pvc! The vet wrap comes in the mail tomorrow, cant wait to add some color to that bad boy!

Guys good news!! He's molting! And the vet said it looks like he has a lot of good feather growth since the first time I brought him in (about a month ago, of course)! So he's doing well and the over preening has improved!

Have your tried wrapping some of the gym in Natural Sisal rope? It is considered a safer alternative, as long as it is oil and pesticide free. Might make it easier for him to move around but still be aware of chewing/eating it.

I'm definitely going to try sisal rope! I also just got my vet wrap, so I'll be doing some of that tonight.