Went to visit my future adoptees!

[Safira]

Some of you may have seen the post by Rio's Mom about a gentleman in Maryland looking to adopt out his 2 CAG's for health reasons. I have been in touch with him and went to visit the birds today. They should be coming home with me this time next saturday, and I can't wait!

Their names are Gracie Lou and Lucy Lou, they are sisters from the same clutch and are 9 years old. Unfortunatly Gracie is a horrible plucker, she is naked from the neck down. No wing feathers, and one lone red tail feather that she let grow out (to be plucked off soon I am sure.)

Lucy is in perfect feather, but less hand-tame then Gracie. Gracie will step up for me, Lucy not so much.

Gracie's my biggest concern, considering she's mostly naked and the smaller of the two. They both had toys and a playstand and spend a lot of time out of the cage. They eat Harrisons and bountiful harvest from mysafebird store as well as fruits and veggies (and saltess, butterless popcorn and noodles ) The current owner and vet have tried what they could, but she plucks plucks plucks.

They've both seen a vet, but they'll be going again (Lucy needs her wings clipped and Gracie I want examined anyways before I try to address anything with her pucking.) I'm going to try to make an appointment for the same day I bring them home. Then it can be "truck, vet, truck, home -end of moving stress and onto settling in!"


They talk and whistle, and I wish I had taken pictures while I was there. I forgot my cell phone in my truck and didn't want to be rude and ask him if I could go get it.

Anyways, they are coming home with me in a week. I am excited!! It gives me time to re-do the floor in the bird room and set up an air filter. They'll be in there for quarintine, and my Macaw will stay in the living room.

I really want to change out Gracie's cage. Hers was the smaller of the two, its not bad but smaller then I would like. I have one that would work very well but I don't want to freak her out. I think I'm going to set her cage up next to the 'new' one, so she can climb around on both and eventually take her old one away. Either that or just use the new one, and hope the 'one time stress of it all' makes it easier. Suggestions on that?

Okay, I'm done rambling.. Now I just have to wait.. Gonna order some toys and new perches and things for them.

Bah, I hate waiting

 

[roxynoodle]

I'm glad to hear you will be taking the birds.

I did put Pete straight into the cage I already had instead of his own cage. His cage was just so small. I decided to just get all new things out of the way at one time. Merlin also moved into a new cage here and she had no issues with that as far as I could tell. My conure, however, is very attached to her cage and I think I'd have a hard time getting her to accept a new one. But, I think when you bring home a new bird it might just be easiest to put them straight away into a new cage and let them just adjust to everything.

 

[Safira]

That's what I was thinking, but then I had another bad thought. Because she is plucked and she has nothing to cushion her fall, I'm not sure the new cage would be a good idea. The one she has really isn't horrible. The new one is taller, and I'm afraid if she falls she might hurt herself on the grates. I could put a cushion of newspaper down on them though...

 

[roxynoodle]

You could also put the top perches about the same distance from the grate. Does she normally fall? Because that generally indicates something is wrong.

 

[Safira]

no, but she has no way to 'glide' or soften her landing. She is nothing but skin and birdy bones. No feathers past her neck.. she has some 'down' that's starting to grow, but from what I understand is she lets it grow for a few weeks then rips them all out again.

I was trying to find a picture of an African grey that was plucked as badly as she is and I can't find one.. The bird Spiritbird linked under adoptions isn't as bad as she is.

 

[roxynoodle]

I suspect if you line the grate with paper towels though she will go down there every day and rip them to shreds, lol! Merlin is quite the shredder. In her case then a smaller cage might be better.

I wonder if you could get her to grow some feathers back by putting a flight suit or some kind of vest on her. She might still pluck her wings and tail though.

 

[Safira]

Pictures! They are what I would guess is a few years old. The first is Gracie (When she had feathers) the second is Lucy.

 

[Spiritbird]

I wish you could have taken them home this weekend so you do not have to wait a whole week. I think the soft collar would be suitable for Gracie after a vet looks at her. Shopping - Products by MY SAFE BIRD STORE She will be stressed out anyway from the change so why not a collar?? Please keep us posted on how it goes. By the way congrats. on your new daughters. I think Roxy is correct to put them straight away in their cages and not worry about the old cage.

 

[Safira]

Spiritbird, the link didn't work. Were you talking about the little collars with the capes on them? That might work, I'll order one and try it out!!

The current owner isn't really ready to say goodbye so quickly. He does -have- to hand them over soon, but I think he's holding on to the last minute. I won't go into his reasons, they are good ones and I understand stuff can happen. So next weekend it is! It gives me time to set up my air filter, get the carpet ripped out and the pergo put in. Also, I have a few days to order some new toys and stuff

 

[Spiritbird]

Here is the link again, hope work. If not go to mysafebirdstore.com and in the search window type in collars. They are hand made.

Shopping - Products by MY SAFE BIRD STORE

 

[Rio Mom]

I'm so happy you are going to be adopting them!

 

[mnkeastman]

sounds like a great visit. I am very happy for you and the girls

 

[roxynoodle]

That collar is actually pretty cute. It looks like the bird is wearing a little dress!

 

[Safira]

I like the collar. I am going to order her one.. getting it on however might be the problem.

Is it next saturday yet? I want my birdies.

 

[Wulfgeist]

I know what you mean, I want my baby and to start getting to know it..long years ahead of us, yes yes I know...sigh!

Grats and kudos to you for taking on a poor troubled baby and for giving the girls a new home.

 

[wenz2712]

I am really please that you are adopting them!! Cant wait to see pics of them both

 

[thebirdnerd]

Best of luck with the new adoptees! I myself just acquired an 11 month old grey who has chewed feathers. I would try packing the cage with toys that are easily shreddable, such as paper toys. In my experience, I've found that plucking birds usually are big chewers. Good luck!

 

[BillsBirds]

Good for you & them! I agree that the new cage should be part of the change. I also agree with the collar, and giving lots of chew & shred toys. Good luck with these babies!

 

[Amber]

I like that soft collar! That looks much nicer and much more comfy then those terrible plastic things people put on pluckers. I do understand it's for health reasons and usually a last resort though, but they really don't seem pleasant for the bird.

 

[Safira]

Halfway there!!

I ordered one of the pink soft collars. I was going to get a cool pattern but thought I'd dress her as a pretty princess instead. I also got a few toys, but I don't want to go overboard on the off-chance something happens and he changes his mind. Anything I ordered I can give to my macaw if I need to.

Come onnnn saturday.