Mac is in boot camp for the next 12 weeks..............

[Boysmom]

Mike below is a link to the Ekkie swing I purchased for Ruby. watch the videos labeled show videos to see how the birds love these swings. You might be interested in one for Mac to help distract him from destroying feathers. I hung Ruby's in our homeschool classroom and she enjoys swinging away while in class. This way she isn't alone in the house while we are in class for 3 to 4 hours a day.

Swing Gym, cups, toy,

 

[mtdoramike]

Mike below is a link to the Ekkie swing I purchased for Ruby. watch the videos labeled show videos to see how the birds love these swings. You might be interested in one for Mac to help distract him from destroying feathers. I hung Ruby's in our homeschool classroom and she enjoys swinging away while in class. This way she isn't alone in the house while we are in class for 3 to 4 hours a day.

Swing Gym, cups, toy,

Thank you very much, this is very interesting. He has a rope swing that is close to his playstand and that is where he slept last night. But I like the looks of this swing better and with the poop tray underneath it can be setup any where. Do you remember what the cost was? I didn't see a price any where on the web page.

 

[Boysmom]

I paid like $60 for mine, I believe, but I got the optional ceiling guards also. I feed her Ekkie pellets also, so I had pellets and avian trio and granola in my order also. She custom makes each swing so prices vary according to the options you want. This swing allows for the Ekkie side to side swinging motion that they love. Ruby can really get hers going high side to side. The poop tray and ceiling guards are awesome ! Jane is an Ekkie expert, so call her and she may have some help with Mac's issue also.

 

[mtdoramike]

It's been close to two weeks now for Mac's basic training. I can't say it's been pleasant either. I'm getting a might tired. But Mac's feathers are starting to come back in very nicely. You can see some new growth on his wings and chest areas that he is leaving alone. It's not quite a constant a battle as when we first started. I'm allowing him to do a minimal amount of preening, which all birds need to do. But when I feel it's enough or if he starts chewing on his feathers, I click him with the clicker and if that doesn't stop him after the second click of the clicker, I mist him with water. He doesn't preen when he's wet.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Holy smokes, Mike, I honestly can't believe what a difference 2 weeks made with Mac's plumage. PHENOMENAL!!!

I can only imagine how beat you and the Misses must be, but my golly, this is truly working, isn't it?

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Mike, So glad that you are having such fast and good results in boot camp. Wondering, do u have any idea what might have started the plucking? Trauma? Environmental?

U said it got worse after vising the previous parront. Is it the separation/loss?

 

[Pajarita]

Looking good!!!

 

[mtdoramike]

Mike, So glad that you are having such fast and good results in boot camp. Wondering, do u have any idea what might have started the plucking? Trauma? Environmental?

U said it got worse after vising the previous parront. Is it the separation/loss?

It all started a few months before I received him. His favorite person died and the guys wife went back to work so she had to lock him up for 8-10 hours a day, which is when she noticed the over preening and plucking. It was minimal at that time with his wings and thighs. But once he came to me, he started doing better and then the previous owner stopped in for a visit. She even commented about how well he was looking. But after she left, he started again. Then a year or so later, she stopped by again for another visit and after that he really went to town on his feathers. To the point that had we not intervened, he would most likely have picked his chest and neck area clean. He only had the down feathers left on his chest.

So yes, I think it started with separation anxiety, which I believe quickly became a habit or like I tell him, "you've got the monkey on your back". To show just how problematic it is, he will go in his cage and literally hide behind his toys to pick and chew his feathers hoping I or my wife don't catch him. I'm hoping his progress continues, but sooner or later, we aren't going to be able to be up with him 24/7. So I'm hoping the strict regimen will sink in and replace or break the feather destruction habit.

 

[Calace]

I need to congratulate you both on the awesome progress but especially on your dedication to Mac. What amazing love you are showing through this strict routine and loss of sleep! Inspiring! :35:

 

[Molcan2]

Wow Mike, you have made good progress and I applaud you on that, truly. I can feel the exhaustion in your post, mostly because I have lived it for TWO long years . From personal experience, don't touch the collars, great in theory but there is a down side. We finally resorted to collars, worst decision ever made, turned into a giant mess that resulted in a large wound . What diet are you feeding? Perhaps he may have an allergy? My flock is now getting switched to a combination of Goldn'obles I and TOPS, if that doesn't work then we are cutting out anything with corn in it.

Are you using tap water to bathe him? I don't know what water system your using but over here in the fine city of Eustis they have changed it (not sure what they've done but I can taste a difference). We are using Harrison's rain water now for bathes. You may also want to try Harrison's soothing spray until he calms more then switch to the rain spray. Just a suggestion. I have tried everything with Rome (collars - hated, drugs - absolute worst thing ever did hands down, 24/7 supervision - exhausting but does work problem when you cant be around, aviary - beautiful but she cant get past her plucking to utilize it, Now I'm doing the diet change eliminating anything with artificial dyes and preservatives and feeding organic only and trying the rain spray-crossing my fingers and toes).

We have actually resorted to sending Rome to an actual birdie boot camp at MARS in Melbourne for a month. We had to remove her collar because of a wound (that occurred from her hitting it against something). All of her feathers had grown back in, within two days she plucked her chest bare and started creating a wound on her chest. After two years of exhaustion I had my breakdown. We get her back in a few weeks, I'm taking this time to regroup myself, breathe, and for plan - was going to say B but at this point I think were closer to T or Q. Good luck Mike, its not an easy road but your definitely not walking it alone.

 

[MikeyTN]

I swear Mike your OCD like me....lol.....

 

[mtdoramike]

Wow Mike, you have made good progress and I applaud you on that, truly. I can feel the exhaustion in your post, mostly because I have lived it for TWO long years . From personal experience, don't touch the collars, great in theory but there is a down side. We finally resorted to collars, worst decision ever made, turned into a giant mess that resulted in a large wound . What diet are you feeding? Perhaps he may have an allergy? My flock is now getting switched to a combination of Goldn'obles I and TOPS, if that doesn't work then we are cutting out anything with corn in it.

Are you using tap water to bathe him? I don't know what water system your using but over here in the fine city of Eustis they have changed it (not sure what they've done but I can taste a difference). We are using Harrison's rain water now for bathes. You may also want to try Harrison's soothing spray until he calms more then switch to the rain spray. Just a suggestion. I have tried everything with Rome (collars - hated, drugs - absolute worst thing ever did hands down, 24/7 supervision - exhausting but does work problem when you cant be around, aviary - beautiful but she cant get past her plucking to utilize it, Now I'm doing the diet change eliminating anything with artificial dyes and preservatives and feeding organic only and trying the rain spray-crossing my fingers and toes).

We have actually resorted to sending Rome to an actual birdie boot camp at MARS in Melbourne for a month. We had to remove her collar because of a wound (that occurred from her hitting it against something). All of her feathers had grown back in, within two days she plucked her chest bare and started creating a wound on her chest. After two years of exhaustion I had my breakdown. We get her back in a few weeks, I'm taking this time to regroup myself, breathe, and for plan - was going to say B but at this point I think were closer to T or Q. Good luck Mike, its not an easy road but your definitely not walking it alone.

We had taken Mac to an Avian vet who checked him for mites, did a stool sample check, blood workup. I think the total bill was close to $350.00 or so. All checked out fine. The vet recommended using a collar. But I said NO to the collar. This is when I told Mac it was time for some tough love.
It reminds me of the old saying my grandmother used quite often with us kids "What doesn't kill you will make you stronger". The vet also felt it was from habit more than diet. But the habit possibly stemmed from emotional issues when his favorite person died before we adopted him. They were VERY close and were together almost 24 hours a day.

I don't use pellets. Mac gets fresh fruit and veggies daily and about a spoon full of seed and nut mixture. But he also gets his snacks like a nibble of cheese (his favorite), pop corn, pizza. But I'm limiting his protein intake. Now, with his pop corn and pizza, I will mix a half spoon red palm oil in with the pop corn and pizza about once every two weeks to make sure he gets some oil into his system (also recommended by the vet) I also use red palm oil. I saw it on Dr. Oz.

I usually use bottled spring water for his baths unless I take him in the shower with me. But since we have gotten sooooo much rain here, I have a rain bucket or barrel out back to catch some rain water and use it in the mister bottle. I also mix a small amount of the red palm oil in a separate mister bottle and mix it thoroughly and then spray him with it about once a week or so. It helps his feathers not feel as hard with him constantly over preening them. He also gets 30-60 minutes of outside time each morning.

 

[mtdoramike]

I swear Mike your OCD like me....lol.....

I don't know whether it's me or Mac that's OCD, but I'm staying on him 7 ways to Sunday for sure. He's not going to pluck himself bald on my watch. hahahahahahaha.

So I'll go to bed around 9:00pm and Rosalie will stay up with Mac until around 12:30am-1:30am, then I get up with him from then on until morning. I catch a cat nap or three every now and then when he's being good about not picking his feathers. Last night was one of the toughest, I had to click him 4 times with the clicker when I felt the preening was more than just preening.:54:

 

[MikeyTN]

Both Mike Both!!!!

 

[MonicaMc]

He does appear to be looking better!


I hope you don't mind another suggestion? Just throwing this out there! But have you ever heard of the Refeathering kit? I made a post about it.


http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/35127-pluckers-refeathering-kit.html

 

[mtdoramike]

I may have to try something like this as an exit strategy. I haven't decided how to end this ordeal without undoing all the good that has been accomplished.

 

[Boysmom]

Mike, I have another suggestion for you on this subject. I use a product called Avian tranquility during molting for all my birds, and since Ruby had started to rub the feathers off her face recently I started her back on it. It has decreased her face rubbing and she does have tiny pins in those spots now.

AVIAN TRANQUILITY

 

[mtdoramike]

Thanks Boysmom, I placed an order for the Avian Tranquility. Hopefully this will help with the exit strategy and help not to undo all the good that has been done.

 

[Pajarita]

Be careful with ekkies and Avian Tranquility, it's mostly pollen (high in protein and vitamins) and, if you are already feeding pellets, you might end up overdoing it on the 'richness'. Tryptophan is good (that's why my gloop has more oats than any other grain).

 

[Boysmom]

I have been feeding the avian tranquality and avian trio to Ruby for well over a year. Her blood works last month shows no signs of it causing any problems and I feed her Ekkie organic speciality pellets. I have always read that Ekkies in the wild consume more pollen that most other species as they are mainly fruit eaters which is pollenated by bees. I get all my pellets and supplements from prettyparrot.com and Jane there is an Ekkie specialist, as she has been breeding them for many years. She is well known for having the highest quality Ekkies available, so I trust her research and knowledge.