Help for grieving quaker

[NWQuakers]

One of my quakers died this morning. It was supposed to be a routine beak trim, but Percy died in the process and the vet wasn't able to revive her. I didn't have a necropsy done, but the vet was pretty certain she had either a liver tumor or similar issue, and it wasn't just the beak trimming. She was older and fat when we got her as a rescue, but she seemed to enjoy her life with us, and especially our other quaker, Lucky.

Lucky already lost another friend when my quaker Mark died a couple of year ago. He yelled more and plucked worse and when my vet called about taking Percy, we did, and they became bonded.

I didn't show Lucky Mark's body, but this morning I showed him Percy. He groomed one of her wing feathers for a few seconds then seemed to get mad. I set the box she was in, open, on a near by table while I took care of some chores, then showed him one more time. Then he got some food, said a few things, and didn't react much.
I had to go to work for a few hours, and I'm hoping he won't be plucked when I get home. I put a radio near by and some grooming toys.

Is there any consensus on showing the surviving bird the body of a cage mate?
Should I rearrange the cage to distract him?

 

[Allee]

Deepest Condolences for your loss of Percy. I'm so very sorry.

Several months ago we lost one of our quakers, also a rescue, she died very suddenly of a stroke. I showed her body to my other quaker. The two had been together for two years. Right after Zeke's death my other quaker would call her name every afternoon, that was their routine play together time. She still calls for Zeke occasionally but not nearly as often. My remaining quaker is also a plucker, her plucking didn't get worse though. She did start being friendlier to her other flock members after Zeke's death.

I completely rearranged Harry's cage to distract her. I know she missed Zeke terribly at first but she did better than I expected.

 

[NWQuakers]

Thank you for the kind words.
I will do some rearranging for Lucky tonight, and see if he wants some people time. We have an active household, so hopefully the dogs, cats, people & wild birdies outside at the feeder will be a good distraction.

 

[NWQuakers]

Lucky has been a little more noisy, but still eating and talking, even asking for a big mac like he always does when I'm in the kitchen.
He's in his sleep cage now, and settled down after some squawking.

 

[NWQuakers]

So I rearranged his cage before getting him up this morning. Only one happy hut, some toys that haven't been out for a long time, moved perches, etc.

He was making noise long before his usual wake-up time, and I am pondering just having him sleep in the main cage so he won't feel isolated. Our work schedules have changed recently and the household will be going to bed and getting up at decent hours thanks to no more shift work. Maybe sleeping near the dog (the main cage is near the inside dog's bed) will be comforting.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I am so terribly sorry for your loss of Percy! Gosh, I remember it as if it were yesterday when you lost Mark.

HUGS to you!

And I truly hope Lucky will continue to do well for you.

 

[NWQuakers]

Lucky decided he wanted to be in his sleep cage after all. He was much quieter and slept in a little instead of yelling when we first got up.

I made some changes to his cage and set up some foraging opportunities for him this morning. So far he hasn't done any more plucking than usual. He seems to like a bare patch kind of like a necklace, and rarely keeps feather there for long.
He seemed a little lost this morning, since he's so used to feeding and grooming Percy, but he started playing with his favorite toy once I put him in his cage for the day.

He yells a bit more, then scolds us for telling him to knock it off. "talk nice, talk NICE!'

 

[Christinenc2000]

Sounds like you are doing a great job helping him adjust . Keep us updated. I am sure this thread might help someone in the future

 

[NWQuakers]

He's a little creeped out by Percy's old foraging toy (a hanging lidded container) but when I set it on top of the cage, slightly open, he eventually got brave enough to reach in and grab a treat. Hopefully I can encourage him to check it out when it's actually hanging inside the cage.

There is a bit more yelling than usual, esp when we're busy making dinner and feeding the cats & dogs. It's going to be a challenge for me to find healthy ways to distract/reward him, but he's a nervous, skinny type, so a few calories here & there won't hurt.

Next up I plan to sort out a radio/dvd set up for him during the day. I have a portable radio, but it tends to fuzz out of tune if left on a long time. I don't have cable and my computer isn't close to his cage to play itunes or youtube conveniently. Maybe a kids dvd player...
He does have a huge window with lots of activity outside though.