My First Cockatoo is a Rescue

[Erick123]

Peanut has been making some progress. Yesterday I was trying to teach him "step-up." He tried to get on my shoulder a couple of times, but I blocked him with a stick. He eventually did get through because I didn't want to use too much pressure. I stood calm and sat down. He started to cuddle with me and thats why I slowly put a blanket around him and placed him back into his cage. I started to play peek-a-boo with him which got him really excited and motivated him to play with more of his toys. He also started eating some fruits and veggies! He is very slowly starting to open up.

 

[Scott]

Awesome! Just remember progress can be two steps forward, one step back! Keep your eye on the ultimate prize and enjoy the process.

 

[Erick123]

He usually shakes alot when people are around, but around me I've seen him shaking less and less. He started to interact with all the toys I've gotten him and he is eating a bit more. He did get excited and started throwing his toys around. His crest and his feathers on his cheeks were up. I decided to leave to room so he could calm down out of fear of getting bitten again. Now he's in his room climbing his cage, interacting with his toys. I guess this is a good way to teach him how to entertain himself while I am gone. He does keep plucking his feathers which gets me worried. I reschedule the avian vet visit for tomorrow since I will be getting a ride from a friend. Hopefully they can help Peanut.

 

[Scott]

Unless you plan on being with Peanut 24/7/365, teaching the gift of self-entertainment with toys and chilling out alone is invaluable. A bored cockatoo feeling dissed will scream, be destructive, and scream.

Does he pluck at random or is it concentrated to a small area on the chest? And does he remove the feather or just groom intensely?

 

[Erick123]

He usually plucks at the same areas. Either on his chest, around his feet or around his wings.

 

[Scott]

Was curious, as some cockatoos pluck a small area of the chest. If it is widespread, more than likely a behavioral issue is the cause. The vet can help rule out any skin or disease issues.

 

[plumsmum2005]

As well as AV testing you could invest in a picking/preening toy? If placed near his fav spot he may just turn his attention to that instead of his own feathers? Even if it only works some of the time it is still a win IMO.

 

[Kiwibird]

I am not sure if now would be the right time, but any idea when the last time Peanut had a bath was? Parrots, in nature, regularly experience rain. In our homes, they typically need to be bathed once a week at minimum, if not more. Bathing can be achieved through gently misting with a spray bottle (you can buy ones at the dollar store, be sure to never use a spray bottle that has ever had anything but water in it). I can only imagine their discomfort and that their skin would be rather itchy going months or even years without a bath. Especially a dusty species like cockatoos. I would ask the AV when you go when he/she thinks would be an appropriate time during Peanuts training process to try him out on a bath. Might make him feel a lot better and help a bit with the picking if he had nice, clean feathers and skin!

 

[Erick123]

So today I took Peanut to the vet. I took him in a decent size kennel. It was a bit difficult to get him in, but we managed to get there in one piece. He just chewed on the paper inside during the ride there. When it was time for our appointment, the nurse introduce herself to Peanut. It seemed he was relaxed just by the sound of her voice. The nurse and vet did a physical examination and inform me that everything seemed to be normal. I got some blood work done, but those results along with Peanuts gender will arrive later during the week. Overall, Peanut behaved very well.

There is a growing concern for Peanut. I work full-time and I still attend college. I do my best to spend my time with Peanut, but there are times where I am exhausted. The other day I tried spending time with Peanut and I fell asleep on the couch. The fact of the matter is that in the long run, this is going to hurt Peanut, because work and school will definitely get in the way of our bonding.

There is this sanctuary in Florida called Zakee where it seems Peanut will thrive in the hands of loving professionals. He will be part of a flock and will be loved by those are have the hands on experience. If you guys don't mind can you give me your opinion on this sanctuary? Is it something you've heard of and given my situation, do you think this is the best idea. My goal is to make Peanut happy. After all, seeing him alone in that small cage in the pet shop is was inspired me to rescue him. Cockatoos require alot of time and attention, which is something I barley have for myself sometimes.

Please take a look and tell me what you think


zaksee ? OUR MISSION

 

[plumsmum2005]

I am sorry to hear that life gets in the way with Peanut, such a shame. What is your gut feeling re him being with his own kind or with people? I have heard of 'toos that are placed in a sanctuary but they are so human imprinted that they are not happy and spend the rest of their lives craving human interaction. The sanctuaries say they will not rehome any that come to them so stale mate really.

Is there anyone you know that could also develop a bond with Peanut and share him with you, lighten the load?

Whatever you decide for him all I ask of you is to be absolutely sure it is the right choice. Hope someone knows the sanctuary, (it is only by visiting such places can the truth be seen) and can tell the info you seek.

 

[Scott]

A very difficult dilemma, Erick, and I applaud your willingness to honestly assess the situation. Your decision to rescue Peanut from an awful situation was well intended and without the benefit of extensive experience.

Many cockatoo parronts develop buyers-remorse and are confronted with a difficult reality. Once you are certain these feelings are permanent and not the outcome of a particularly trying day or so can you plan for a better future. While finding Peanut a loving family-home is the best outcome, life in a sanctuary may be better than a prolonged cycle of re-homing as is the case with so many Umbrella Cockatoos. I am not familiar with Zaksee, but a bit of Googling yielded some favorable reviews. https://www.google.com/#q=zaksee+forida+bird+sanctuary&spf=1496759349638

Many members call Florida home and may be familiar with Zaksee by reputation. Take some time to research them and other options carefully, as this is the last best thing you can do for Peanut!

 

[Erick123]

Will my cockatoo be able to adjust to being out in his room until I get home? Let's just say I get home and take a nap and then spend the last two hours with him. Is this something that will hurt him or is it something that a cockatoo can adjust to?

 

[ToMang07]

Every animal is different, as is their environment. Willow is (mostly) very well behaved when caged. I will not leave her out when I (or a family member) is not around for both her safety and my house's.

That said, I work 12 hour shifts, so when I'm working, she is in her cage anywhere from 4-15 hours straight at times. Keys are fresh food/water, and toys that the bird loves. In Willows case, 90% of that is colored wood she can destroy, along with her plastic toys, string/yarn/rope toys, and even metal chains from time to time.

I also tend to leave the lights on, window shades open, (her cage is in the window for sunlight and visual entertainment) and either the TV or radio on for her.

Days I'm off, she's out most, if not all day, usually downstairs on her perch/cage. (She has both side-by-side in the living room.) If I am gone for short periods of time I'll leave her downstairs in the cage with the TV on. Any time I'll be gone an hour or more it's upstairs in her big cage (which is the size of a fridge.)

My work schedule is pretty much up 6:30-7am, Willow is out until I leave at 8, and then it's either she stays out if someone is home, or it's upstairs until someone is home. (10pm for me.)

Days off, it's out all day, unless I go somewhere. I'll pop her into the cage if I'm outside in the garage or mowing. If it's nice/warm out she'll come outside with me on the porch in her "travel" cage.

A lot of people will tell you to keep a steady routine, and I too would recommend this if it is possible. My schedule however, it was not. I got lucky with a very well behaved bird that does not scream very often, and 1 brother that lives with me who she loves.

Every situation/bird is different. Take your time, learn each other and work on bonding and gaining his trust. Keep lots of toys, and change them regularly. Watch for dangerous ones. Be careful not to over-stimulate (as it usually results in biting) and make sure the bird learns to self-entertain.

Good luck!

 

[Erick123]

Peanut isnt much of a screamer either. If he does scream, it is only for less than 2 mins. At night, he doesn't make a peep. I think what I'm going to do is have 2 hour sessions with him on the days I work. Earn more of his trust and tame him more. If it's successful, then I will take him to my room so he isn't alone when i get home. Sometimes the cage is open, and he just sits inside it relaxing. The vet results came back and he's healthy. He just needs a bit more calcium so Peanut just sitting around for long periods of time seem to be something he chooses to do. I might just wait and continue to observe him. If he is used to be alone, then I feel everything will be fine.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Just a thought you rescued him from a shop right? Was he left there at night? If so that would be a fair amount of time alone and might help in so much as he got used to it. He would also have learnt that people do come back.

 

[Erick123]

Yeah he spent all night there. When I would go to the gym in the morning (anywhere from 1AM-4AM) I would see him there.

 

[plumsmum2005]

The decision is yours of course but why not see how things go for now?

 

[Erick123]

Yeah I'm going to see how things turn out. We've been making progress yesterday too. He's learning not to get on my shoulder and there was no plucking. He would start to pluck then stop. Also he's eating more. I just want him to be happy and if he can adjust to my busy schedule, I will keep him.

 

[Kiwibird]

I think Peanut sounds to be making good progress and it sounds as though you really connected with him. Cockatoos certainly can adjust to our routines. All parrots who are alone all day need toys, foraging etc... to stay entertained during the day when we're not around. When both my husband and I worked full time, we used to leave the radio on for our bird and I'd fill his foraging toys every morning right before leaving. I also used to rotate and add new toys much more frequently since he was in his cage all day and could only access what was available to him in the cage. That became part of my routine. If possible, position Peanut near a window so he can watch what's going on outside. Basically, make sure he has the tools to self-entertain and not be bored while you aren't there. Also remember, interaction time doesn't need to be super involved one on one time. Building a simple, portable t-perch is an inexpensive way to be able to bring your bird around the house with you without the need for them to be attached to you (be sure to use stainless steel screws and not toxic zinc plated ones if you do build Peanut a t-perch). Training sessions should actually be kept rather short, to keep him interested and wanting more, but just being out of the cage, in your general vicinity and occasionally being talked too (basically made to feel included) is all a parrot really wants. Our bird comes around the house on his perch all the time without me needing to actually be playing with him. He just wants to hang out. Add a toy to the perch, and he's super happy. You are doing good with Peanut so far, so keep up the good work!

For reference, this is a "t-perch" and is a great tool for parrot owners. You can make one very cheap and with little carpentry skills, but they can also be bought as well:

 

[Erick123]

Just wanted to share this pic of Peanut.

He opens his mouth open and moves his tongue up and down. Anyone know what that means?