Should I adopt a 9 year old with plucking problems?

[thermodynamic]

I am highly tempted to adopt a 9 year old female GCC.

For $200, with cage and toys.

She can be "loud" according to the owner and she plucks. The owner has taken her to the vet a year ago to find out what the cause could be... (I suspect it's behavioral-related).

I have 3 other GCCs at this time - all male. (I doubt Rosie, a pineapple, is female given she tries to mount Scooter (male) all the time...) I know a vet visit would be needed to ensure I don't bring home any contagions that would harm or kill my three GCC.

Assuming the bird would be interested in me, should I adopt it or leave well alone?

Thanks!

 

[Enjru]

There is a chance that one or more of your current flock COULD learn plucking behaviors from this new bird. It depends how emotionally distraught or not you'd get if that happened. Also, make sure that you have the time and the space for 4 birds instead of 3. And have a think about what you'd want to do if some of them started breeding.

 

[mandolynn]

Adopting a bird that plucks is a huge undertaking and you should research all that they require. It will be much more work than just adding another bird. And as far as breeding goes, id keep them separate because there is much thought that some mutilation may be genetic.

 

[thermodynamic]

There is a chance that one or more of your current flock COULD learn plucking behaviors from this new bird. It depends how emotionally distraught or not you'd get if that happened. Also, make sure that you have the time and the space for 4 birds instead of 3. And have a think about what you'd want to do if some of them started breeding.

Adopting a bird that plucks is a huge undertaking and you should research all that they require. It will be much more work than just adding another bird. And as far as breeding goes, id keep them separate because there is much thought that some mutilation may be genetic.

Thanks!

I always thought plucking was an emotional issue - if there is a possible genetic link, then - yup - breeding would be bad.

And that's an excellent point -- would the other birds see the new one pluck like a guitar and join in the jamboree... that would be horrific. it is an image I do not want to see in real life, much less in imagined concept.

I will DEFINITELY not go through with this, particularly for those grounds.