Rescued Cockatoo

I recently obtained the greatest cockatoo ever (my completely biased opinion!). She was gotten for free, but was apparently taken care of people who meant well, but didn't do well for her. Her foot was broken in the cage, her nails are wrapped around, and her feathers are horrible. She has plucking problems from what I can tell, too.

I am assuming a lot of this is diet related. I have a vet appointment set up, but since we only have one avian vet....it is going to be a few weeks before they can see her for blood work and whatnot. They told me they had her vetted, but then refused to tell me anything about what vet it was or what they said. Her diet consisted mainly of the store bought mix and frat boy foods. Apparently she is a big fan of pizza and chocolate. I wouldn't know, because I refuse to give her any.

My problem is, she is EXTREMELY picky. She throws her pellets out and only wants to eat peanuts. I have given them to her in defeat, but I tend to remove the peanuts from her diet, because that is all she will eat.

Right now, in her bowel, is a RoudyBush Daily Maintenance pellets, a small mixture of walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, pistachios, dried red chili peppers, and parrot and macaw biscottis. I tried just the pellets and she threw them in the floor. She also gets a few banana chips a day.

She also gets a small amount of meat everyday, like chicken or shrimp. When I say small, I mean like a bite size for myself. She will not eat eggs, or egg shells. She wont eat greens either. I have put some kale in her water bowl at dinner, but I honestly don't know if that is helping.

I just want to get her into shape. Any suggestions before her vet trip, would be GREAT. She is hardly in her cage, hates baths but still gets them regularly, and she has plenty of toys, different sized perches, etc. I feel like this is diet related, but I have no clue how to get her on the pellets or supplement a better diet for her. I have read A LOT, and bought like 40 of everything lol. I am used to my cockatiel and parakeets. I knew she would be work, but I also knew that I would do what it took to get her in top shape

Wow! Just, wow!

First of all, THANK YOU so much for taking on this poor bird. Abuse comes in many forms and neglect is probably the commonest. The answers to all your questions will take pages and pages, so I'll try to point you in the right directions for some of what you need to know at first.

First of all, regarding her diet.

Most birds refuse pellets point blank when they're first offered. It takes time and patience to introduce them. But what to feed while you're introducing the pellets? Short answer: I don't know. I inherited a galah who was fed purely on sunflower seeds. It took months of trying and, in the end, it was him watching my Alexandrines gobbling up their pellets that finally convinced him. So no short answer for you there, I'm afraid.

Much of what you mention is not OK food. Some items, like nuts, seeds and banana chips are all right to use as treats while training, but they absolutely should not be given as staple food. Think of it as feeding a toddler on chocolate only. Fatty liver and obesity are the only result of such a diet. Ideally, birdie would be happy enough to nibble on a variety of veggies every day (see our food forums for good advice on diet items and on how to make chop).

There's no need for a bird to eat any form of meat. Some vets recommend it, others don't. If you feed a small amount (say, a teaspoon) of scrambled egg, that should be enough. As you say, she won't eat egg, but a very wise vet once told me 'it's completely amazing what they'll eat when they're hungry'.

Instead of having food available at all times, try giving your bird a mixture of pellets and small seeds (like millet, wheat, oats) in the morning. You might also offer a small (half a cup?) amount of sliced veg. Take that away after a couple of hours and wait for an hour or two. Try offering it again (you might need to replace the veg if it's wilted or unpleasant-looking). Take it away after an hour. Offer again after two hours. Make your final offering just before bedtime (birdie's, not yours). If you do this pattern of offering over a weekend, the bird should get the idea that food might or might not be present and that the composition doesn't change. Just an idea you could try.

The bottom line is that you really, *really* need to get this bird to a vet for a full health assessment. You'll know from that how to proceed (eg. whether obesity is an issue or not, or whether other factors need to be considered). Bear in mind that cockatoos are *chillingly* intelligent and can easily hornswoggle us 'clever' humans. So long as you are patient, consistent and calm, all will be well.

The best part of all this is that when you get your bird (what's her name? My corella's called Miss Rosetta Stone) feeling healthy and happy, she'll make an *amazing* companion. You'll be able to teach her tricks and really interact with her in a way that's - well - it's the best thing ever!

Spend a bit of time checking out our forums to find out advice on diet, cage setup, exercise, toy-making and so on. There's lots of info here and lots of reading for you if you want it. *DO* please stay in touch and let us know how the pair of you get on. Parrot owners are good people and we like to take care of each other.

Betrisher

Thank you so much for responding!! Her name is Liara.

She has already pulled me through a lot. I am a PTSD survivor and birds have always been that thing that helps my depression. So when I seen her in such a horrible state, I all but begged them to take her. Thankfully, they willingly handed her over.

I would have never known that these were not good for her, because the internet is full of crazy things that contradict each other. I have leafy greens, like spinach and greens, in the fridge. I will try and offer her those, with her pellets and throw in some eggs. I even went as far as throwing one in my mouth to show her it was food, because she freaks out over our food at dinner lol.

Her appointment is in 2 weeks. I am trying to get her on a better diet by then. I also want to get her foot xrayed. Bless her, she gets hung on everything, even falling off her perches sometimes. It doesn't open all the way, and her nails are horrid.

I am going to check out the food forum suggestion, now.

Thank you for not attacking me on this. Like I said, I am used to smaller birds, and they eat whatever I give them, no problem lol. She is stubborn, but I have toddlers, so I think I can crack her lol.

She does tell me she loves me, kisses me, and preens my hair. We have bonded so well, in such a short time, I just want her happy and healthy.

Hi and welcome to the forum! And thanks for rescuing this poor 'too!

As Trish mentioned..pellets can be tricky to introduce to any bird. Try soaking a spoonful in unsweeted apple juice to make them softer. Chocolate is a NO NO! it can kill your bird,dog,cat,frog,rat etc..like avocado..posionous..and alcohol.
Nuts are fatty (peanuts especially) try to limit how many he/she gets. This could take time. Just imagine if you ate pizza and mcdonalds all your life and suddenly someone is shoving salad in your face


Jim

AmyMyBlueFront said:

Just imagine if you ate pizza and mcdonalds all your life and suddenly someone is shoving salad in your face


Jim

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This made me laugh a bit. I understand though. It really makes me think if my kiddos. When I made the switch from pasta noodles, to spaghetti squash for spaghetti, I thought they would die.

I just found the chop list on the forum and I think I will be doing that, this weekend.

They have calcium powder. Is this a no no? I read that her chewing on her feather tips and scratching could be a sign of calcium deficiency. Should I worry about that? Or should I just try and fix her diet, alone?

Thank you for taking Liara in!! Welcomed to the forum! Welcome to the struggles of rehabilitation!
Tuu can get real creative in diet! Puree some cooked veggies and make it like a sauce over cooked whole grain pasta! Turn the pellets I to powder and add to oatmeal, to a little applesauce! Make bird muffins with pellets and veggies added in. Share your food with her, eat I front of her, try and get her to steal your healthy food. Make smoothie for her with ground pellets, blueberries, blackberries, cherries or plums. Mix cooked veggies in cooked rice. Good luck!
Thank you for being a PTSD survivor!!!

Chewier her feathers is a common self destructive behavior. Offer shredded paper in big fringe zip tie together. Cut brown paper bags into long fringe like Hulu skirt, they sell rolls of stuff called shredders that c you can weave in cage bars. Lots of stuff to pick at other then herself.

I like this article a bunch! I share it all the time. I do shape behavior, but I don't use clickers, I just say good birdie a d give treat. I like how she talks about rituals and routines, and useing music to soothe. And hand feeding , I hand feed different foods through the day, get them better at trying new stuff , and if I ever have to give meds.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

Laurasea said:

Thank you for taking Liara in!! Welcomed to the forum! Welcome to the struggles of rehabilitation!
Tuu can get real creative in diet! Puree some cooked veggies and make it like a sauce over cooked whole grain pasta! Turn the pellets I to powder and add to oatmeal, to a little applesauce! Make bird muffins with pellets and veggies added in. Share your food with her, eat I front of her, try and get her to steal your healthy food. Make smoothie for her with ground pellets, blueberries, blackberries, cherries or plums. Mix cooked veggies in cooked rice. Good luck!
Thank you for being a PTSD survivor!!!

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GENIUS! This has made me not want to pull my hair out as bad lol. Thank you!!! I gave her some greens and eggs, just now. She went to her bowl, looked at it sideways, then looked at me like, what kind of BS are you trying to pull here? Then went to the other side of her cage.

I am going to try some of this, for sure. I am wondering how she will do with rice...I may try that this evening. If it weren't for her feather health, I would find this stubbornness more amusing.

Thank you for rescuing this wonderful parrot. Once you get the diet worked out, I am sure she will open up like a flower. Patience and consistency are the tickets for success, but work on her schedule not your schedule of expectations. Parrots can take a long time to change behaviors etc, some really long , like years.

Laurasea said:

Chewier her feathers is a common self destructive behavior. Offer shredded paper in big fringe zip tie together. Cut brown paper bags into long fringe like Hulu skirt, they sell rolls of stuff called shredders that c you can weave in cage bars. Lots of stuff to pick at other then herself.

I like this article a bunch! I share it all the time. I do shape behavior, but I don't use clickers, I just say good birdie a d give treat. I like how she talks about rituals and routines, and useing music to soothe. And hand feeding , I hand feed different foods through the day, get them better at trying new stuff , and if I ever have to give meds.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

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I definitely keep lots of things she can destroy. She gets 24 pack of dr pepper (without the soda, of course ) she likes to take all her toys in that box and shred them all to bits. She will also play peek-a-boo with me. In fact, it has become a thing, that anytime I want her attention, I say peek-a-boo and she comes out to greet me. I have her a toy box full of zip ties, infant rattles, boxes with wrapping paper she has to take apart, then chew the boxes up to get her toy from the inside. I have tubes with newspaper in them too. I also use untreated 2x4, cut them down, and dye them with organic food color (which takes FOREVER to dry) and she turns them into toothpicks within minutes! lol she is a mess. But she is fun.

Cooked sweet potatoes and add Cinnamon,make sneak in some pellets, and tiny sprinkle of sugar. She needs food high in vitamin A the most. Her diet hadn't had any, and that effects feathers and health. Many parrots like peppers and the seeds if peppers both hot and regular.
When weather permits, getting outside in light shade, you always with her, in her travel cage, or roll out cage. The benefits of just being outside, and the huge Benefits of Sunshine are amazing!!
You can also feed her cooked lentils with a few hidden veggies and pellets, or cooked quinoa.
Once you get her tasting new foods, and understanding that veggies and other stuff is food! She will love it, and become more adventurous. My parrots and budgies come running! Also feed in wide shallow dish, on top of the cage or bottom. Being able to see everything, and sometimes being in a new place outside if the cage makes them more willing to try stuff. I use glass casserole dishes.

Cockatoos love rice. To get them to eat vegetables I chop it in food processor and mix it. Cooper my male u2 rescue use to be picky and toss with his beak his food out of bowl and then scream demanding more food, but then grind and mix the food up and after a while he became use to it. Last person had him on sunflower seeds in a small cage in back of a garage, so he was in very bad shape when I adopted him. My female U2 will eat vegetable with zero issues.

Any time my birds see rice of any kind they will even steal it out of my plate.

wrench13 said:

Thank you for rescuing this wonderful parrot. Once you get the diet worked out, I am sure she will open up like a flower. Patience and consistency are the tickets for success, but work on her schedule not your schedule of expectations. Parrots can take a long time to change behaviors etc, some really long , like years.

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That is something I have learned in being a bird owner, in general. My parakeets wake me up every morning, yelling for attention. And if I don't give it in time, they throw their food bowls all over their cage.

She has been amazing this far. She is so silly. So far, she will whine like a dog, making me think that my dog is the one doing it. She will bark at them too. My 2 year old will have a tantrum, she will copy her, then chuckle. She does a number of things that keep us laughing. Over all, she has been the best thing we have added to our family, pet wise. I cannot wait to see her at her best!

Also Oven Baked Bites, by all living things, sold at pet smart only , are a pellet all my birds love!

It sounds like Liara is one lucky parrot to have been found and adopted by you! Congratulations! I look forward to more of her stories!

Hide those pellets in everything! Grind them and add to a little peanut butter! ( Till you get her eating better. Offer cooked popcorn as a treat. The more new foods you get her to try the more new foods she will be willing to try , like a Cascade effect!
So happy you rescued, so happy you joined us.

Csprin1 said:

She has been amazing this far. She is so silly. So far, she will whine like a dog, making me think that my dog is the one doing it. She will bark at them too. My 2 year old will have a tantrum, she will copy her, then chuckle. She does a number of things that keep us laughing. Over all, she has been the best thing we have added to our family, pet wise. I cannot wait to see her at her best!

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They are companions and you find it quite awarding once you fully bond with yours. They ride on my shoulder everywhere pretty much.

ParrotGenie said:

Csprin1 said:

She has been amazing this far. She is so silly. So far, she will whine like a dog, making me think that my dog is the one doing it. She will bark at them too. My 2 year old will have a tantrum, she will copy her, then chuckle. She does a number of things that keep us laughing. Over all, she has been the best thing we have added to our family, pet wise. I cannot wait to see her at her best!

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They are companions and you find it quite awarding once you fully bond with yours. They ride on my shoulder everywhere pretty much.

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She rides on mine, too. Sometimes she tries to perch on my head, but her claw being broken, makes that a mess. lol she gets tangled up in my hair a lot. I take her to school, to pick up the kids, or if I am going anywhere I don't have to get out. She LOVES to ride. She has helped me more than I am helping her, that is for sure!

ParrotGenie said:

Cockatoos love rice. To get them to eat vegetables I chop it in food processor and mix it. Cooper my male u2 rescue use to be picky and toss with his beak his food out of bowl and then scream demanding more food, but then grind and mix the food up and after a while he became use to it. Last person had him on sunflower seeds in a small cage in back of a garage, so he was in very bad shape when I adopted him. My female U2 will eat vegetable with zero issues.

Any time my birds see rice of any kind they will even steal it out of my plate.

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That is so AWESOME. I cannot wait to try this!!! Thank you!

Well, I tried a rice blend with crushed pellets and veggies, and put a little bit of eggs with crushed egg shell in it.....SHE LOVED IT. Thank you all for your help. I will keep trying new methods. But this is a lot more progress, than last night. So fingers crossed. I was told by a local rescue, who I am extremely NOT fond of, that they bet she had liver disease. I know birds are good at hiding things, but her beak looks normal and she isn't really plucking her feathers, but chewing them. Plus the feathers I am finding in her cage, are not chewed up at the stem. She doesn't have any bold spots. I have also noticed that she has a lot of new feathers coming in.

Csprin1 said:

Well, I tried a rice blend with crushed pellets and veggies, and put a little bit of eggs with crushed egg shell in it.....SHE LOVED IT. Thank you all for your help. I will keep trying new methods. But this is a lot more progress, than last night. So fingers crossed. I was told by a local rescue, who I am extremely NOT fond of, that they bet she had liver disease. I know birds are good at hiding things, but her beak looks normal and she isn't really plucking her feathers, but chewing them. Plus the feathers I am finding in her cage, are not chewed up at the stem. She doesn't have any bold spots. I have also noticed that she has a lot of new feathers coming in.

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If she had liver issues, you notice beak will overgrow, or not grow correctly, plus they usually will pluck. You can get your CAV to run blood work and check liver values? That will give you a baseline. Always good to know where she at health wise and what to work on. My male U2 had issues and his liver recovered by feeding him correct diet.

She has an appointment a couple of weeks out. I will have them check. Her beak looks normal, no over growth or anything. The only thing with her feathers is just her chewing on the ends of them. I am going to go this weekend and revamp her cage.