keeping parrots (merged)

YorkiePud_3

... sorry, meant to say too ...

I have always had greyhounds up to the last year or so ... and obviously, if your parrots are flapping, then they are going to dash up to see what is happening ... but as for actually "going" for them, my two didn't.

Everyone should have a greyhound! They are the most loving, loyal and faithful animals ... they have such a bad press and yet they really are a wonderful house dog.

When I had my two living indoors, I also had a cockatiel, African Grey, canary, tiny Yorkie and tiny chihuahua ... and they all lived in peace together!
In fact, I would notice the biggies would be very careful to look down and see where the littl'uns were, so's not to tread on them ...

I also know of a greyhound who has been rehomed in a household full of cats ... and he is happy as Larry!

tiamai_d

I LOVE greyounds!

They are wonderful pets, especially re-homed greyhouds, and a very worthy cause too.

We has an African Grey called Laurie in a house with two rotweillers and a grey hound. They got on fine, after one dog got too close one day and received a peck on the nose.

The bird used to whistle like my dad and you could almost see him laughing when the dogs ran in to welcome him home.... It also used to throw seed at the youngest rotweiller who ate it like a hoover!

Thing with dogs is, so long as you don't make a big deal of a situation, dogs wont.

And re-homed grey hounds are usually big placid lazy lumps full of affection, and you can make sure you get one who ignores birds and cats.

Maz

Hope somebody can help with this one!

A friend of mine has an African Grey who has started to pull out his feathers, mostly on his neck and chest. Vet is flummoxed and can't give any explanation or suggest anything.

Anybody else come across this and if so, can you offer any advice?

Understandabley, my mate is getting very worried and would be very appreciative of any advice/suggestions given.

craftyanny

found this, might be a start

Why do they pluck?

Greys pluck feathers for a variety of reasons. Sometimes boredom or not enough human interaction causes an African Grey to pull out its feathers. I have also seen birds that pluck because they get too much attention -- with the owner running over every time the Grey pulls out a feather. Others pluck because of dietary imbalances, or environmental problems, such as people smoking or the air too dry. Greys should have regular baths and exposure to some kind of moist air on a regular basis. African Greys who are emotionally abused by someone who bangs on their cage or routinely squirts them in the face with a spray bottle for discipline may pluck. A single frightening experience has caused Greys to become feather pluckers.
Any bird that plucks should first see a veterinarian. If the veterinarian cannot find a physical reason for plucking, behavioral problems should be explored. There is no question that African Greys are among the most intelligent parrot species. This higher degree of intelligence, along with possible incorrect early socialization at the breeders and not understanding the bird’s intellectual needs when it becomes a companion parrot often leads to neurotic habits -- such as plucking.

beachbeth

Have they moved house or had any other change? This can stress parrots out and make them behave in this way.

tiamai_d

Assuming as the bird has been the vet and the vet has found nothing wrong, and its diet is well balanced, it could be that the bird is bored.

They need lots of one to one attention. Toys are not a replacement for interaction between owner and bird.

They need lots of interesting activities while the owner is away too.

Also the need a bath or a misting to keep feathers nice and healthy.

If it's getting enough attention and everything lese it needs, then it could just be that it's a 'self-harmer'. You do get them, birds who feather pluck for no reason.

judyjetson

If the vet's baffled, then I'd assume he's not a specialist in tropical birds, so I'd be looking first of all to find one who is, if only to rule out any illness, disease or possible vitamin deficiency. Our local vet was great, but admitted that he was limited in his knowledge of parrots.

If the bird is very young and has started plucking, it could be boredom but if it's an older bird, there could be other reasons, which is why it would be best checked out by a specialist.

Maz

Thanks everyone!

It's difficult to say which of your suggestions are the most apt. My friends relationship ended some time ago, Jack (the parrot) has plenty of toys etc in his cage, a companion parrot (if there is such a thing! a green macaw kept in a seperate cage alongside him) and he has the telly on all day! I will recommend that he finds a vet who has more specialist knowledge though.

Fran

If you are unable to look after your parrot you can take it to

The Parrot Sanctuary..

They can also pick them up.

Personally I'm not happy seeing birds on their own in cages for hours on end for human entertainment.

maytaurus

Feather Picking

African greys have a reputation as feather pickers.
SEE HERE for loads of info

http://www.ukparrotcages.co.uk/african_greys.html