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caring for birds
I have been the proud care-giver to several different birds. From small birds like canaries to extremely large birds such as parrots. Out of all of the birds I have cared for, two spring into my mind with similar problems. Both had the same anxiety or over-preening condition. They pulled out all of their own feathers until they were bald. One was a tiny parakeet and the other a cockatoo. Baldness can be fatal to birds. They cannot control their own temperatures. I went to look for something I could use to cover the unprotected areas of the bird until the feathers had grown back. To my dismay, there was nothing to be found. I knew I could not leave the birds in their present condition and so went to work creating what was to become their new breast guards. Here is what I did. I molded a breast plate out of cardboard and masking tape to PERFECTLY fit the breast of the bird. I then covered the breast plate with a knitted protector that done up under the wings to allow freedom for flight and movement. Birds are extremely intelligent and can figure out how to take this off. You must use a hook&eye method. The middle of the back is usually an awkward place for birds to reach and so it is also difficult for them to undo a hook&eye. This breast plate must fit EVERYWHERE on the bird. Not too tight at the neck, with protection to prevent rubbing everywhere it touches the bird. You must remove the breast protector from the bird at least 5 times per day so that they can preen their new feathers that are growing in. If you are worried they will pull the new feathers out, you can preen the bird yourself using a very very soft childs toothbrush. Brush all the new feathers flat in the direction they are growing. Slowly the feathers will grow back in and you can leave the breast guard off longer and longer each time during the day. As soon as you see the bird begin to pull feathers again, replace the breast guard. Make certain they are pulling and not preening the feather. It is my opinion that you do not leave the breast guard off at night until you have NOT used it on the bird during the day for at least 1 week. Birds of all sizes are intelligent, tricky and sneaky. They pick their own opportune times. In both cases, with the two birds I used the guard for, both DID get better and DID stop pulling their own feathers. They recovered from the anxiety issues they had and settled down. Sometimes it helps to be creative when you are left with no other alternative. It just might work, you never know. |
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May, 2012
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