"Naked" Cockatoo

[hvnleigh]

The Cockatoo I am fixing to give a home to is a rescue bird. She lost her person, he died and after his death his wife placed her in a basement room, she was taken to the rescue where she has been ever since, soon I will make the trip to go pick her up and bring her home where she will have a loving home once again, the lady at the rescue is very sweet and loving, I am not saying she isn't but she takes care of tons of animals almost entirely by herself. What I am wondering is if anyone here has experience with feather pluckers and has suggestions on how I can help her to allow them to grow back....I am already ordering her some sockbuddies
Thanks

 

[MickeysMom]

Awww the poor baby! Thank you for giving her a loving new home.

I really don't know anything about plucking except what I've read online. there are many great articles out there. I have read that sometimes they will continue to pluck even when their circumstances are improved.....it becomes a habit. I think that lots of love, and good preening toys is a place to start...

Good luck with her!

 

[KellyH]

Sometimes they pick from stress and being kept alone in a basement would certainly be stressful for a social bird like a cockatoo.

I've seen birds that were almost completely bare come around after being placed in new, loving home with lots of toys and attention. But, I have also seen some birds where the plucking has become an ingrained habit and will never be fully feathered again.

The most important thing is to rule out anything physical which would be causing the plucking first. Has this bird had a check up with an avian vet?

No matter what, just remember that it's the bird inside that counts and I'm sure this bird will come to flourish with you.

 

[hvnleigh]

yes, I had just thought I forgot to mention she has been checked out by 3 avian vets and has been found to be healthy and I also plan on getting her a check-up when I get her home. Unfortunately there are no Avian vets here in Oklahoma but I have done my research and found a really good vet that does specialize in exotic pets, which of course is not only birds but they are that category, so he is more qualified than just an average vet anyway. The lady at the rescue and I have agreed we both think it was/is a stress thing, even though she is in a better place now in the rescue, the lady does not have the time for her that Cockatoos require, we are both hoping that once she is settled she will eventually stop plucking, but I will love her naked or feathered I chose her! I could have kept looking for a fully feathered bird or a bird with "no issues" but I wanted her...I knew when I heard about her that she needed someone, and I have plenty of love and attention to give

 

[suebee]

my nut is a feather chewer, but i've had her for a year now and can see improvements in photos i took same time year before

she molted, got her feathers back, then grrrr she started with the chewing, but not as bad as when we 1st got her, so i am hoping this time next year, she'll have chewed less

it can be very stressfull for you when they chew/pluck in front of you, ignore it

settle it into a routine an take it from there

 

[MikeyTN]

Its wonderful your adopting her!!! She may improve over time. When we got Dixie, she was stuck in the dark basement with no windows or much attention period. She was horribly plucked and she barbers her feathers too. We've had for for over 7 years and she still barbers a bit, she mainly do it to her crown but no plucking so she's grown in most of her feathers except a little patch around her throat area that's never going to grow back cause she plucked it too much. I don't mind her barbering her crown as much as plucking. She's one sweet happy bird!!!

 

[KellyH]

I'm glad to hear that everything checked out with the vets. And I'm also very happy to see another person who appreciates the value of a rescue/rehomed bird. Always nice to see them get a happy ending too.

 

[triordan]

sometimes they pluck so much that their feathers will never grow back~ any idea on the age? Thanks for giving her a home, Im sure she will be much happier being around people!

 

[mnkeastman]

thank you so much for seeing the beauty of this sweet girl no matter the state of her feathers! I am sure you will have many happy years together!

 

[Mare Miller]

It breaks my heart when I hear of this happening, I mean...what kind of person would put their bird away in a basement, away from activities and a social atmosphere? Uneducated ones, I guess, or ones that don't care. I know that Cockatoos can be super loud, but that's what earplugs are for! This is one lucky girl for you and her to have found each other.

 

[BillsBirds]

Like my friends here, I thank you for giving this Angel a new home & a new life!

 

[hvnleigh]

I realize her feathers may not grow back or that some may not at least, but the good thing is the rescue has told me she is friendly, lovable and loves attention so we should become good buddies quickly Im not real sure of her age. I dont see how anyone could take a loving, beautiful, intelligent pet and put them in a basement room either but I am so glad someone found her before it was too late to save her