Beyond Frustration

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I am putting this in the 'People Things' section because it is more about my frustration with Baby's plucking than it is about her.

The other morning I woke up to see a pile of feathers on the bottom of her cage --- downey types and others.

She was coming along so well. There were many downeys on the sides of her chest near her wings that she let grow out and several pin feathers were starting. Now they are all gone - including the new pin feathers.

She has this routine when new pins come in and I get hope on hope that she will have "some" feathers on her chest... she lets them get to a certain length and out they come. The frustrating part about this is it gives me hope and then it is all dashed.

I don't think most of her chest and legs will ever grow feathers again. It has been a year and a half and I have never seen any signs of new pins in those areas.

No one knows the heartaches of plucking except an owner that has a plucking bird. Sometimes it makes me want to cry.

Plucking, feather shredding, and self-mutilitation are far beyond our abilities to control or change. Screaming, biting, and aggressive behaviors are maddening - but plucking and the such are heart-wrenching.

I have researched, studied, communitated with other owners, changed diet, tried a variety of topical medications, changed activities, and on and on - for more than two years.... with no solution.

Was there something that set her off the other morning that caused her to pluck at that time???? Not that I can find.

Avian experts have many theories about why birds pluck but few if any have stopped a plucking bird from plucking. The two main theories that come close to explaining this behavior is genetics and captivity... and those are the two things we cannot change for our campanion birds.

No one - and I do mean no one who has nerver had a plucking or mutilating bird can ever imagine how difficult it is to deal with. Some of you here know and share my heartaches... and I truly share yours.

Lar

[Julie]

Larry,

This is heart wrenching and draining to the most extreme sense, and it is not our body that is suffering the consequences. The overwhelming feeling of guilt and frustration just seems to compound and you feel at such a loss during these times.

There is no amount of words that I can say to make things better, but I can totally relate and sympathize with the pain you are going through. Some times knowing that YOU are not the cause, you are not alone, and that no matter how much you do or don't do things my not ever change. It is always best to live with that hope and drive that we may some day get things fixed and back to "normal" again.

We would all give just about anything to give them back thier too zuberence for life. To have them strutt around, showing off, and just simply enjoying life.

Big huggs & tears, j

[iti hoa's mom]

I am putting this in the 'People Things' section because it is more about my frustration with Baby's plucking than it is about her.

The other morning I woke up to see a pile of feathers on the bottom of her cage --- downey types and others.

She was coming along so well. There were many downeys on the sides of her chest near her wings that she let grow out and several pin feathers were starting. Now they are all gone - including the new pin feathers.

She has this routine when new pins come in and I get hope on hope that she will have "some" feathers on her chest... she lets them get to a certain length and out they come. The frustrating part about this is it gives me hope and then it is all dashed.

I don't think most of her chest and legs will ever grow feathers again. It has been a year and a half and I have never seen any signs of new pins in those areas.

No one knows the heartaches of plucking except an owner that has a plucking bird. Sometimes it makes me want to cry.

Plucking, feather shredding, and self-mutilitation are far beyond our abilities to control or change. Screaming, biting, and aggressive behaviors are maddening - but plucking and the such are heart-wrenching.

I have researched, studied, communitated with other owners, changed diet, tried a variety of topical medications, changed activities, and on and on - for more than two years.... with no solution.

Was there something that set her off the other morning that caused her to pluck at that time???? Not that I can find.

Avian experts have many theories about why birds pluck but few if any have stopped a plucking bird from plucking. The two main theories that come close to explaining this behavior is genetics and captivity... and those are the two things we cannot change for our campanion birds.

No one - and I do mean no one who has nerver had a plucking or mutilating bird can ever imagine how difficult it is to deal with. Some of you here know and share my heartaches... and I truly share yours.

Lar


You mention that what we do know about birds that pluck are that it may be genetics and captivity. Here is my question. How do we know they don't pluck in the wild?

[Chrissy and Flock]

Cassie has let some of her feathers grow back, right now she is going through a heavy molt so I am not sure whats molted and whats plucked. It's such a helpless feeling not being able to do anything to stop it. Seems all we can do is love them for who they are and keep on trying, maybe one day there will be a magic cure out there.....

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

Larry,

I'm so sorry. It's the worst feeling not to be able to help them when something is wrong. And then to get the glimmer of hope, pin feathers, only to find those plucked later as well. Heartbreaking.

Linus is still working on his chest, it's getting worse but very slowly. I don't think it is the focal point of his day. Yet.

Patty

[Sashagirl]

Larry

I suffer along with you for me it has been a 4 year battle with Buzz one of my B&G Macaw's.As the years have passed her plucking has gotten worse.
She has had her good and bad days.This year has been her bad year just as I thought things were getting better she lift her wings and I had the surprise of my life.She had started plucking the worse ever.There are days that I would rather not look at her because it is so upsetting.So many tests were run on her and there is nothing medically wrong with her it's habitual.She was given some medication that they said was like birdie prozac I stopped using it on her I saw no changes in her situation.She has went from one point to this point I wake up waiting for them all to be gone.She's a closet plucker and it hurts me more than it does her because I don't understand why?She's out of that terrible situation I rescued her from.:teary:

Marcia

[Dot]

When Fergie (Scarlet) started over-preening, I became a basket case. I was so upset about her. This is sad to admit, but I took a sabbatical to stay home with her. I needed the time away from school too, and I needed the computer classes I took, but Fergie is the real reason I took the sabbatical. Now how sick is that? Not Fergie - me.

One thing I learned for sure was that she picks up on my vibes. It came to the point that for my health I had to either ignore the shredding or think about re-homing her. That was an easy decision. I ignored it and it went away.

She still does some each November and I think she will each time she enters a breeding cycle.

I am so sorry for you. I almost cried when I read your post.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

You mention that what we do know about birds that pluck are that it may be genetics and captivity. Here is my question. How do we know they don't pluck in the wild?

Good question Peggy.

The theory of caused by genetics is not my theory... some poultry medical experts came up with that one and it might have some validity. It came out of the poultry industry and their research. There is not much research or research money put into companion parrots' maladies but there is a ton put into studying chickens because that is a big money making buisiness. There was an article in the Good Bird quarterly a few issues back addressing plucking and all the present day theories.

With capativity breeding the mates are selected for the parrots - they don't have a choice in the matter. Something like an arranged marriage... where in the wild the birds select one another.

There could be something to it and maybe there is not... I dunno.

Oh by the way... there is some evidence that plucking goes on in the wild.

My guess is... the rare plucked birds in the wild not find mates because of their physical appearance and apparant lack of health to best continue the species.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I had no idea that there are so many of us here that have plucking and multilating birds.

Thank you all so much for sharing your feelings with me... that is important to me.

[bonnie]

I've only been dealing with plucking for a very short time. You are so right when you say no one can understand until they've watched it in their own bird. It makes me want to cry when I see the feathers in the bottom of the cage. I can't imagine dealing with it as long as you and others have.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Thanks Bonnie Girl,

And what makes my situation even worse is I have had Baby since she was 4-1/2 months old. She is not a re-home that had bad experiences... she started plucking while under my care.

The guilt never goes away.

[bonnie]

I can't even imagine. Just hang in there. She really does love you.

[Anne-Samantha's Mom]

I know nothing about toos except what I read on this board etc..I can sense y our angst and frustration and have no advice but to send you positive thoughts and prayers..hugs dear..

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Hi Anne - thanks for the hugs... I needed that.

Yep - Toos are sometimes very diffucult.

I love Baby severly and would go out of my mind without her - but I believe that some species are best left in the wild and Toos is one of them.

[FoxersArtist]

Big hugs to you larry. i know you are feeling a world of guilt, but you really are an awesome companion to baby and this is not your fault. We're here for you, whenever you need us.
-Anna

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Awww - thanks Anna.

Yep - it is really difficult to deal with... especially since I have always been her caregiver - no one else to lay the fault on.

Benny Boy had some feather shredding issues when you first got him. I remember us trying to work things out for him. How is he doing now with his feathers???

Lar

[too&me]

I will always have hope! Why are so many of us here with birds that have heartbreaking behaviors? My theory is that we came together to help support each other and to share what we each have learned about dealing with these issues. We do not shut it out of sight, we love those moth eaten FIDS and are willing to do whatever we can to help them and each other. Some of us have birds in beautiful feather and some have birds who are beautiful with out feathers. Yes it is hard not to feel we are some how to blame but if we keep learning and working at it some how some time we will have answers, even if we have to solve it ourselves! I have Harry U2-feather barberer-doing good right now Fred Elanora-Self mutilating but happy otherwise/perplexing Goffins foster Bacard-eating his cast and plucking his chest a bit. We all still look up to you for your leadership and your caring soul, the soul of a warrior. Hugs from us all here we all do care about Baby and you and Ms. Me. Julie and I share the greif we feel when Carl and Fred hurt themselves for us plucking would be a big improvement.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I was surfing around the net this evening to see what the latest and greatest is said about plucking and I ran acrosss this...

http://www.birdtricks.com/feather-plucking.htm

These people prey on the desperate and should be exposed for what they are.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

This lady said it better than I could....

http://caiquecrazyblog.blogspot.com/

[too&me]

True! Sad little man selling his "helP" to the unwary or just the desperate.