Adopting an Eclectus tomorrow. Meet Lulu. :)

[Kaons]

Hey everyone, just wanted to say that tomorrow we are going to have a new member to our family. Lulu the Eclectus! I'll keep you all updated tomorrow afternoon once we receive her. We are all very excited.

I have done my research on eclectus parrots. An eclectus seems like the perfect pet for everyone in our family. She is currently 4 years old. I am incredibly excited right now.

 

[psychocircus91]

Looking forward to seeing/meeting her. What is her history like?

 

[Kaons]

She's only been in one home. They just needed to put her up for adoption because they didn't have the time anymore unfortunately. She's always been happy, never plucked a single feather. She says hello, mimics a phone, and talks a lot when she doesn't see you lol. Speaking of plucking though, what's the best way to avoid it even happening in the first place? Any signs you should watch out for? Is the best way to prevent plucking keeping her happy in general?

 

[SailBoat]

Great!

Please make an Appointment with a Certified Avian Vet (ASAP). Most buy /sell agreements require that the new owner has the Parrot 'Vet Checked' within a very limited time period to assure everyone of the health of the Parrot.

Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[SailBoat]

She's only been in one home. They just needed to put her up for adoption because they didn't have the time anymore unfortunately. She's always been happy, never plucked a single feather. She says hello, mimics a phone, and talks a lot when she doesn't see you lol. Speaking of plucking though, what's the best way to avoid it even happening in the first place? Any signs you should watch out for? Is the best way to prevent plucking keeping her happy in general?

Simple answer is: Yes! Knowing how to keep her happy is what reading in the Eclectus Forum hopes to provide. Enjoy the reading!

 

[tashawithanekkie]

Congrats on starting your eclectus journey! This is a great place to learn, like Sailboat said, enjoy the reading.

 

[coopedup]

Congrats! Hoping you two have a wonderful relationship for the next 40+ years

 

[Anansi]

Congratulations!!! Looking forward to "meeting" Lulu, so post LOTS of pics!

As for prevention of plucking, keeping your ekkie happy is one important aspect. But it's important to note that psychological/emotional state is not the only pathology of the behavior. Sometimes the cause is medical. Or it can begin with a medical cause, such as severe itchiness or nerve tingling that prompts the plucking, and then evolve into a habitual behavior that persists long after the medical cause has been neutralized.

So, to prevent plucking, or at least significantly reduce the chances of it, you should do several things. First, keep up with her regular checkups with a certified avian vet. And be sure to take her to said CAV at the first sign that anything is wrong.

Second, provide a proper diet. A varied fresh food diet of veggies, sprouts, fruits, oats, grains and legumes is best for them, as ekkies have proven sensitive to many different brands of pellets. (Reactions have been known to include the development of toe-tapping, wing-flipping, feather plucking and increased aggression.) Their diets should be heavy with Vitamins A and C. And you'll want to watch closely for any foods, or combination thereof, that cause an adverse reaction in them. (Jolly, for instance, reacts badly to having blueberries AND raspberries in the same chop. Just a particular sensitivity triggered by that combo. I don't know why, but it's enough that i know.) And legumes are important, but not in excess as too much protein can also trigger toe-tapping and wing-flipping.

And third, provide frequent baths/showers. And I'm talking soaked to the skin, here. Optimal would be every other day, but you should at least do this twice a week.