Betrisher
Well-known member
- Jun 3, 2013
- 4,253
- 177
- Parrots
- Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
Background: Dominic is a sort of rescue bird whom I inherited indirectly. He's been kept alone in a 'cocky cage' - 2'x2'x2' all his life and been fed exclusively on sunflower seed for the past I dunno how long. He has two huge lipomas hanging off his front and the most evil demeanour in a bird that I've ever seen. I had thought he was a lost cause, but people here have been so kind with their suggestions, I determined to try and give Dominic a better life.
Well! Things have gone swimmingly so far! I had hoped to start re-socialising and re-training Dominic a couple of weeks ago, but illness and a spate of filthy rainy weather made that not happen. Dom lives outdoors and there was some worry about how I'd get him into the house for training sessions. No problem. My precious husband has agreed that he needs to be in the family room for the foreseeable future (erm, that is, Dominic needs to be indoors - my husband usually is...).
The next good thing is that I got an appointment with our vet and she has pronounced Dom in the pink of health for his age (between 25 and 30, we think). She's not willing to try and remove the lipomas yet as she agrees that his previous diet was dreadful and has recommended a diet based on pellets and fresh veg, pretty much the same as what I've already been told here. The aim is to get the lipomas to shrink, if possible, and then they won't really matter. As it is, they drag on the ground and affect poor Dom's gait. He has to walk tall to keep his tummy from dragging on the ground and when he stops he lifts up first one leg and then the other as if to relieve a cramp. He must be so uncomfortable, poor little thing! Not only that, but he has actually plucked all the feathers off his back and haunches. It's amazing - he's bald in every place his wings cover him. Who'd have guessed! So a secondary goal is to occupy him and help him to stop plucking.
I've been trying to get Dom to nibble a bit at veggies and things and he does - only, he won't swallow them yet. He spits most of it out again. Today, though, I bought the pellets the vet recommended ($$$$ for a rather small bag!) and am gearing up to change this bird's life for the better! One way or another, he will learn to eat healthily and he will have a fun life.
So, this arvo the kids and I spent a few hours with Dom on the kitchen table. (That is, Dom was perched on the table and we were perched on chairs all around him). HE PLAYED!!! For the first time ever, he played with his toys! He tossed all his bells and coloured beads on the floor and then tossed them again once I'd picked them up for him. Then, he allowed me to scratch his head for the longest time. When I reached out to see if he'd step up, he bit the living $#!+ out of my wrist and drew blood. Oh well. Small steps. He's clearly afraid of fingers and hands for some reason. I tried again with a stick and that worked, so that's our starting point.
I'm so excited! I thought this poor bloke was beyond saving, but the small responses I got today have given me hope. I'm especially glad that he's indoors in the middle of the family. He can chat to the Beaks, who live next door and still see the Lovebirds, who live on the other side of the picture window.
I'll shut up in just a minute (so sorry for the long post), but I wanted to ask what makes a bird become hand-shy. My parents and brother-in-law are the only people ever to handle him and I know they've all been kind to him (if neglectful
). If I so much as move my hand toward him, Dom will come racing at me with his wings outstretched and crest up and his bill WIDE open for maximum leverage. I'm not fazed by that (I've learned to be happily bitten by the Beaks), but I reckon if I knew the source of his fear, I could address a cure more easily. Y'know?
Having said that, my brother-in-law called in this evening and Dom stepped up instantly and happily onto his hand. He has the huge, horny hands of a concretor - d'you think my dainty little fingerettes offend Dominic?
Anway, many thanks to all those who have advised me thus far. With your help, this bird is gonna get better!
Well! Things have gone swimmingly so far! I had hoped to start re-socialising and re-training Dominic a couple of weeks ago, but illness and a spate of filthy rainy weather made that not happen. Dom lives outdoors and there was some worry about how I'd get him into the house for training sessions. No problem. My precious husband has agreed that he needs to be in the family room for the foreseeable future (erm, that is, Dominic needs to be indoors - my husband usually is...).
The next good thing is that I got an appointment with our vet and she has pronounced Dom in the pink of health for his age (between 25 and 30, we think). She's not willing to try and remove the lipomas yet as she agrees that his previous diet was dreadful and has recommended a diet based on pellets and fresh veg, pretty much the same as what I've already been told here. The aim is to get the lipomas to shrink, if possible, and then they won't really matter. As it is, they drag on the ground and affect poor Dom's gait. He has to walk tall to keep his tummy from dragging on the ground and when he stops he lifts up first one leg and then the other as if to relieve a cramp. He must be so uncomfortable, poor little thing! Not only that, but he has actually plucked all the feathers off his back and haunches. It's amazing - he's bald in every place his wings cover him. Who'd have guessed! So a secondary goal is to occupy him and help him to stop plucking.
I've been trying to get Dom to nibble a bit at veggies and things and he does - only, he won't swallow them yet. He spits most of it out again. Today, though, I bought the pellets the vet recommended ($$$$ for a rather small bag!) and am gearing up to change this bird's life for the better! One way or another, he will learn to eat healthily and he will have a fun life.
So, this arvo the kids and I spent a few hours with Dom on the kitchen table. (That is, Dom was perched on the table and we were perched on chairs all around him). HE PLAYED!!! For the first time ever, he played with his toys! He tossed all his bells and coloured beads on the floor and then tossed them again once I'd picked them up for him. Then, he allowed me to scratch his head for the longest time. When I reached out to see if he'd step up, he bit the living $#!+ out of my wrist and drew blood. Oh well. Small steps. He's clearly afraid of fingers and hands for some reason. I tried again with a stick and that worked, so that's our starting point.
I'm so excited! I thought this poor bloke was beyond saving, but the small responses I got today have given me hope. I'm especially glad that he's indoors in the middle of the family. He can chat to the Beaks, who live next door and still see the Lovebirds, who live on the other side of the picture window.
I'll shut up in just a minute (so sorry for the long post), but I wanted to ask what makes a bird become hand-shy. My parents and brother-in-law are the only people ever to handle him and I know they've all been kind to him (if neglectful
). If I so much as move my hand toward him, Dom will come racing at me with his wings outstretched and crest up and his bill WIDE open for maximum leverage. I'm not fazed by that (I've learned to be happily bitten by the Beaks), but I reckon if I knew the source of his fear, I could address a cure more easily. Y'know?Having said that, my brother-in-law called in this evening and Dom stepped up instantly and happily onto his hand. He has the huge, horny hands of a concretor - d'you think my dainty little fingerettes offend Dominic?
Anway, many thanks to all those who have advised me thus far. With your help, this bird is gonna get better!
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