The Streak is Over...

[riddick07]

The good streak is over.... Folger chewed on his leg a bit

He is less nervous being in the small cage and calms down faster but today I noticed the leg. Looks nice and new ...drive me nuts this bird will...

I jokingly said I'll have to make him socks...but now I've been looking at him and trying to figure out how to do it...I was thinking fleece and Velcro... the imagine in my head of Folger in leg warmers and a collar is a bit hilarious actually...

 

[Kiwibird]

Poor Folger The plucking/mutilating must be so deep-set in him. Have you ever tried bitter apple spray? When Lucy the DYH had the cast on her foot (that also covered most of her leg) she had to have it sprayed with bitter apple to keep her from chewing it off. I wonder if it would work for Folger and his habits? It is so unpleasant tasting, they do not want to touch it. That might buy some time for refeathering and him to continue learning healthy preening habits. I think theres also another spray specifically for pluckers, but don't know the name.

If you did make "socks", it would be tough to keep them from falling down. Do you know of any knitters who may be up for the challenge of knitting a set of bird socks? Or perhaps if Folger is accepting of a harness, you could rig up a "suspenders" like setup that would hold the "socks" up by attaching them to a harness or one of his adorable sock-suits Just some thoughts. I think everyone wants to see Folger stop chewing!

 

[RavensGryf]

Aw, I'm sorry Darn it!!! Like April said, it must be so deeply rooted in him. It's just such an automatic response for him. Poor guy. I like her idea of suspenders Hopefully it's just a little and he won't go hog wild all over his body anymore?! Or is his collar stopping him from reaching other areas?

 

[riddick07]

He really had to contort a bit to get the leg. I'm upset but also vaguely impressed!

I might try the bitter apple on the legs. I was thinking the velcro woulld keep the the leg thingy up and not slipping down. If the opening was small?

I guess the only thing to do is try and see how it works. I can see Folger flipping around trying to shake them off though... when the collar first went on he kind of rolled around trying to rip it off with his feet for a little bit...

His collar does stop him from getting pretty much everything but the upper leg area and down, plus the tips of his wings. I kind of wondered how long it was going to take him to snap and try chewing on his legs instead...guess I know!

 

[Anansi]

I'm so sorry to hear that Folger is back to plucking, Victoria. But the fact that it took this long for him to try it is probably a good sign, no? You've obviously made tons of progress with him.
I really hope the bitter apple spray will help.

 

[Freespin]

He needs a onesie! !

 

[riddick07]

I feel so bad right now... I took Folgers collar off so he could groom normally for a couple hours. I COMPLETELY FORGOT I TOOK IT OFF.... I just remembered 10 minutes or so ago and I took it off this morning... luckily he only picked at his skin in two spots and it is really lightly (no real blood and only just broke the skin in one spot) but still! I can't believe I forgot. I'm usually pretty good about keeping an eye on him when I take the collar off so I can disrupt him when he gets focused on his skin... GAH...I just can not believe I forgot!

 

[thekarens]

You're human and these things happen. I'm sure this will make you even more hyper aware and thankfully he didn't take it too far.