may be adding another bird.

[pennyandrocky]

mya has been having some issues and the rescue where i adopted her has suggested it might be time for another bird. i've heard from other cockatoo people that it's easier to have more than one. i have had fantasies about birds i would like to add but i've never had more than 2 at one time. financially it's not possible right now, she said she would give us another, but then there's toys/accessories and vet care. i don't think i have enough room for 3 to fly around. so i guess i've got alot to think about.

[marie83]

I don't know the situation and whether another bird is best, I also don't know alot about cockatoos as such other than the bits which apply to most parrots but I just wanted to try to give you a couple of ideas or things to consider which may help you decide if its do-able.

-is there anything anyone on the forum could help with or advise you on regarding the issues you are having?
-Would the rescue be willing to contribute to vet care should the bird need it? maybe in exchange for some voluntary work?
-could you take out bird insurance or save up x amount per week to help with vet care, basicly give the birds their own bank account which you never dip into?
-would a family member be willing to loan you a small amount of money in an emergancy, obviously you shouldn't rely on this but it might help in the short term? you could borrow some money as insurance until you have managed to get some savings for the birds on your own then pay it back in one go.
-could you have them out of the cage in turn so hopefully flying space will be less of an issue?
- would DIYing your toys/playstands help reduce costs for the accessories? Maybe you know a someone who could help out with more complex stuff.

[pennyandrocky]

in the adoption contract it says if i ever need help with vet care, food or any other expense they will help. but i don't really want to take away from the rescue they need every penny, although if it were life and death it's nice to know the help is there.having them out in turn is not possible they are out everyday from 7am-7pm i would have to make sure they got along before i brought the new bird home.she is pulling at her skin and bleeding the woman who arranged the adoption said she might be stressing because she needs another bird to relate to. we are trying other things first this was just one idea she had. we've talked about adding another in the future i just don't know if i'm ready right now.

[marie83]

Eeeouch, poor thing
Not being funny because I know you have been here much longer than I have and have no doubt read up and learned about all manner of things but are you 100% sure it is a behavioural issue? Its just its becoming more thought of between vets that "at least 70% " of all plucking/overpreening/self mutilation behaviours are actually caused by a medical or nutritional issue- the hard part is finding out what, sometimes it can take extensive testing to find out what it is and occasionally even re-testing as tests can come back negative

You do know your bird though and know how likely it is based on your own experiences etc so tell me to butt out if you have reasons to believe its more likey to be a pyschological issue.

[Eurycerus]

Its just its becoming more thought of between vets that "at least 70% " of all plucking/overpreening/self mutilation behaviours are actually caused by a medical or nutritional issue- the hard part is finding out what, sometimes it can take extensive testing to find out what it is and occasionally even re-testing as tests can come back negative

OT but in response to Marie: So there're quite a few pluckers in the rescue group here and on an online Senegal group I occasionally visit and they just would not believe that the plucking was the result of anything but a psychological disorder. It made me feel bad for their little naked Senegals that there people weren't willing to even consider that. I personally would prefer it to be a medical problem as at least then there might be a concrete solution. I guess this knowledge is just not well known by vets... and it seems like sometimes people consider vets God when it comes to pet illness.

[pennyandrocky]

no i wouldn't tell you to butt out medical would have been my suggestion too with the little info i gave . no she just laid 2 eggs and was sitting on them for a week it seemed like she was stressing that nothing was happening. i was sitting next to her while she was sitting on the eggs and heard her banging her beak on the eggs then saw scratches on her chest so i removed the eggs and put them in a drawer. she seemed relieved started playing and talking like normal then i saw her pulling on her chest til it bled. right now we are putting ointment on and we got scrunchies to put on her neck so she can't reach her chest. i'm hoping that will work.

[Eurycerus]

Oh gosh that is heart rending! I would be so sad if my buddy did that...

[Michael]

Parrots are really expensive to keep. I think it's important (and the most responsible thing to do) to avoid making a commitment to a bird that you can't afford to give the lifestyle it deserves. I realize the rescues are overfilled and it's tempting to give it anything, cause even that is better than being at a rescue. However, it would also put a financial strain on you and be unfair to your other birds. It wouldn't be fair to them if you had to budget less than previously to them as the result of another bird. This is without even getting into time and other related factors.

[GreenWing]

Parrots are really expensive to keep. I think it's important (and the most responsible thing to do) to avoid making a commitment to a bird that you can't afford to give the lifestyle it deserves. I realize the rescues are overfilled and it's tempting to give it anything, cause even that is better than being at a rescue. However, it would also put a financial strain on you and be unfair to your other birds. It wouldn't be fair to them if you had to budget less than previously to them as the result of another bird. This is without even getting into time and other related factors.

'Agreed with Michael... if it's going to cause financial problems then don't do it. Surely there are other options to help your bird than adding another to the flock...

[pennyandrocky]

we are trying other things first. thank you for all your replies this is so hard for us. i'll update.