Skittles my new Umbrella Cockatoo (pic heavy)

[MarciaLove]

Skittles is a U2 that was dropped off at my house on Sunday. The owner was very ill and couldnt care for him so she gave him to me so I can find him a home. I am his third home, in his first home his owner hit him with brooms and mops to make him be quiet so he is terrified of anything long and stick like near his cage and he bit his tail and wing feathers off! in his second home though loved very much he was put on an all seed diet from walmart bird seed and hes proving difficulty to convert to pellets but he loves veggies that i've given him! He is so cuddly and loves music he is very energetic! I dont know his age the lady whop gave him to me had him for four years before that im not sure how old he was. So heres some pics of Skittles!

this was how he came Ive been working on more toys and perches for him.

Here is a pic of him dancing

and here is him outside he had never been outside before in his second home and probably not in his first either.

 

[getwozzy]

Wow!!! Poor guy
He looks like he's a fun guy despite all he's been through! I can't wait to see how he improves with you!!

 

[MarciaLove]

he is very fun I feel so bad for his little wings though! He is cuddling with me on my lap outside now

 

[getwozzy]

Awwww!! What a sweetheart!

His wings look terrible!! my heart breaks for him!

 

[Terry57]

Wow, what a lucky boy he is that he has found you He is gorgeous, even with all he has been through, and I can't wait to see him after he has been with you for awhile!

 

[jenphilly]

Try different root veggies, we have found those to be big hits with our toos. Ivory had never had a fresh fruit or veggie in her first four years of life, so we had the same type of problem. Just keep offering fresh stuff everyday and when you find something, use it mashed up with other new items so Skittles is more likely to try! For us, the magic moment was when Victoria made up a chop mix with beets! Yep, white bird, reddish veggie, but it remains a favorite!

She will now eat about any root I give her... beets, parsnips, carrots, potatoes obviously too! If you invite Skittles to eat with you as well that might encourage him to eat since his flock is having dinner

I know he's only been with you a couple days, but if pellets continue to be a challenge, try some of the Goldenfeast mixes and then pic a pellet and put it thru a nutribullet, coffee grinder or blender to make it into a dust, then shake it up with the Goldenfeast mixes. To this day, its the only way Ivory eats pellets, tho she has no clue!!!

I hope he settles in quickly and adapts to a healthy eating lifestyle He's a pretty boy, but he certainly looks like he could use all the love you can give him!!! Good to hear he is affectionate and dancing for you, definitely happy to be with you!

Are you keeping him or will you be working with him to find a home?

 

[MarciaLove]

jenphilly thanks SO much for the suggestions he really love carrots and kiwis so far and he eats a little broccoli just flings pellets though! ill try what you said if i cant get him to eat pellets when I've had him longer my original plan was to find a home for him when he is on a good diet thought I really really like him so he might just stay idk!

 

[jenphilly]

If you can nurse him back to good health and feathers and spend all that time with him, then you are a much better person then me!!!!

We fostered kittens for the humane league including tiny newborns with their mommas, never had trouble giving them back when they were ready, but I don't know if I cold have taken Ivory and gotten her to where she is now and let her go.... nor do I think she would have wanted to go! You might be stuck with Skittles anyway, if he has a say in it, he certainly looks happy to be with you

We volunteer for a shelter in Jersey and even just going over there and helping, you get attached. Either way, I think its awesome you took Skittles in and are investing your time, energy and love into making him a happier, healthier bird

 

[MarciaLove]

Update on skittles! He is doing great he is now dumping his pellets in his water dish so that's better I guess lol i think he may also be eating some of them. After giving him some baths he looks a thousand times better!!! Ill post some pics of him all clean in a minute! He hasn't been mean at all he is the sweetest bird and is getting more comfortable exploring also!

 

[MonicaMc]

You might try blending the pellets up, adding water (or fruit juice) to the pellet dust until it's like a thick paste like consistency. Add in some seeds to it and try feeding that to Skittles. It's basically a simple Nutriberry! Only you can control how much seed to pellet ratio there is!

If he gets accustomed to that, you can then just mix regular pellets into the pellet paste and seeds, giving it more 'crunch'.


It's actually a simple and easy method for many birds! And if my local rescue doesn't try it out before I visit again, then we'll be making some for the birds there who wont eat pellets!

Original idea came from Vetafarm.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zWTxD8Bcw0"]Vetafarm - Conversion from Seed to pellet - YouTube[/ame]





Would love to see new pics of Skittles! I'm sure that he would look absolutely amazing with the right care and attention. Of course, I bet he looks better already after a bath!

 

[Pinkbirdy]

He looks like hes going to be fun [Congrats]