Sensi ex breeding macaw to pet

[Bubblypoet]

It's now been nearly 6 months of love patience and training for sensi. He is an ex breeding blue and gold macaw with a hell of alot of attitude. When I got him, his nails were very long and sharp his beak too long and his feathers in very bad condition. I'm now happy to say that although the self mutilation has not gone away (I've tried nearly everything) I am hopeful that with continuing his training we can further our bond. I am about to buy casozen for him but I'm really really not sure if this is the right move. I've tried to get him to eat chop only. I'm afraid this caused his plucking to get worse. So he now gets seeds (high grade only) along with his favourite vegetables, which to be honest there are nor many he will eat. Tomatoes,cucumber,red peppers,carrots and obviously fruits but as mainly a treat as I know how much sugar is in the fruit. He didn't let me touch him when I first got him but I did something crazy!!!! To get closer to him I used my face. I know, I know. But he has very very bad hand hatred! He has a very large vocabulary and is a charmer. He gets me to let him watch tv and although I am with him all day I do not beleive this is enough. He let's me pet him in the shower only or if he's sat on my knee. He's a strange one to figure out but it has been a pleasure all of it. He still lunges but does not bite me any more. He self soothes and as I have no clue where he was prior to the previous month I had him. (He's meant to be 12.) The vet couldn't read his ring either. Just wanted to give you this novel (sorry) to see if anyone knows aswell about ex breeding birds.

 

[wrench13]

Hi there. First - keep in mind that this casozen does not list the specific 'natural' ingredients, suggests that this has some sort of GABA A inhibitor (which might be Gabapentine) and most importantly"

• No Guarantee Cure: Casozen® is designed to support the well-being of birds and help manage stress. However, it is not guaranteed to cure any condition or behaviour.

Unfortunately there is no magic bullet for plucking and self-mutilation.

Breeder parrots have possibly the worst time in captivity. Usually minimal human interaction and the impetuous to breed breed breed. The breeder may not have cared if he plucked himself bald as a supermarket chicken, as long as the chicks kept coming.

You dont know much about his history - when the plucking and distrustful behavior started. Assume a long time, long enough for them to become habits. And habits in parrots can take a long time to break, sometimes really long and even never broken.

They are all about trust! Trust takes time to build up, like a bank account - a little deposit every day. Think in those terms in all you do with and to him. Does this build trust or does it withdraw trust from the bank. Thats an important frame of mind to keep.

Go at his pace of acceptance, and not your pace of expectations. Parrots love and thrive on routine, predictability and resist change, unlike our quick monkey brain changeability.

Diet - changing diet, as you have found out, can cause stress, and is best done gradually over time. My little amazon took a year to recognize pellets as food and not poison or toys. A year of offering them just to have to sweep them up and throw them out. Persistance is key in changing foods. Try changing the preparation of new foods - whole, chunky, smaller pieces and finely chopped. Sometimes thats the ticket to acceptance. Me- i'd leave the tomatoes out - too acidic for their digestive system. Hot red peppers - very good for them and dont worry about the heat.

Ideal parrot diet is like 60% veggies, 20% pellets, 10% fruit, 10% seeds and nuts. Percentages are not that important, what is important is the variety.

Good Luck!!