May be taking in a plucked CAG

[Sashagirl]

Hello Everyone

I was contacted by a bird acquaintance of mine and he has asked me to take in a CAG.It has issues of plucking as well as being scared of human contact.It
hasn't been to an avian vet yet but I intent to take it as soon as possible.I have 10 years experience with many different FIDS and am currently owned by 18.I do animal rescue and I know all about quarantine.I am suppose to go see it the end of this week if all goes well.I had a death in the family so I'm trying to work around that.I know my hands will be full and very difficult because of the baggage this bird has.I hope to hear from others on what they think.

[Cindy215]

Well I know of a few rescue people who found plucked birds adjusting better in a flock so that may work to your advantage. But as you know they are all individuals. And it can take time. One in particular that I know of was almost catatonic for a whole year and then one day finally played with a little toy. The rescuer was crying like crazy once she saw that. After a whole year of working with the poor thing. (she wouldnt even move on her perch she had to be moved from one spot to another). That particular bird was a Too or a CAG I forget which. But she was befriended by a Senegal in the rescue (they all are OUT of cages all the time and free)...and probably having that Senegal was a comfort to her.

Thank you for taking in an individual who has no one. I'm sure it may be hard but on the other hand she may respond "quickly" you just never know.

I'd do the normal stuff, no pellets, calcium insurance (like give Calciboost and have her levels and other suspicions vet checked), only distilled water for everything, proper humidity, no ionizer air cleaners, diet diet diet (lately sweet potatoes/yams are suspect in feather destructive behaviors and not used), and a good dark quiet nights sleep including dawn and dusk, and nautral sunlight outside in a cage or in a screen window or door that gets direct sunlight. Just a few things LOL. OH, and NUMBER ONE of all things let her wings grow back and let her fly.

I placed a plucked CAG when I used to own a pet shop. He used to belong to a loving woman and her husb but plucked. And only at my shop when he boarded he stopped. He loved it there. I dont know if it was watching all the action or being with all the other birds. Finally after she asked me to take him permanantely (which I didn't want to own a CAG)...after a year he fell in love with another customer. She was a big woman and he loved to sit on her boobs lol. I talked her into taking him since he was SMITTEN. Every time she came in the store he'd go nuts.

She owns a farm and he's still (after about 13 years) REALLY happy. No plucking btw. He plays poker with them every friday night and cusses them out if they try and trick him out of taking "his turn" at keeping score. But she lives a very busy life and he's always in the middle of it bossing her around like "time to feed the horses", or "time to do the ....[whatever]....." all day long LOL.

[notatoy]

Our rescued CAG was not a plucker but "is" still phobic and has been here with us for almost a year..
He started in a petstore than onto a home where the woman had NO clue what to do with him and in her attempt to tame him better cut his flights..every single secondary/primary were cut off - as a result of the continuous towelling she did to catch him hes terrified of any kind of cloth/blanket/paper towel etc and due to the bad clipping he never learned to fly properly #1 and #2 he fell like a rock - the underside of his wings were a giant scabby mess and his keel bone was scabbed up badly as well - thankfully nothing was broken..his diet was all seed..

When he first came here we couldn't approach his cage without him screaming in fear and throwing himself to the bottom of the cage - this was heartbreaking - his grate had to be raised up due to the falls and covered with blankies - we have gone through hell and back with this little guy and still have a longgg way to go..

As of today - he still does get some seeds - about 1 tbsp at breakfast and again at supper - but he is learning to enjoy the fruits/veges - we still cannot approach him without doing it very very slowly and he is known to panic and try to escape - he very seldom steps up and it takes literally hours for him to get the courage to do it - growling the whole time - we had to give him a smaller cage as he was to scared in the big one and had panic attacks daily - he is now much calmer in the smaller cage - he has a perch that was made for him that sits beside his open door - the only time its closed is at night - but hes to scared to wander much when hes out - shadows still scare him - and at times his own feathers.

Its so heartbreaking that this has happened to him - it has made not only us but even our vet more aware of the phobias that can develop in such a short time..

I have no advice as each grey will be different and their treatment/recovery will also be different based on whatever trauma they recieved..all I can say is to have patience and than have some more - I am finding that with every step forward, it feels like 5 back - but that one step is always such a huge one for him..

His flights are slowly coming in and hes practicing his flapping and does enjoy to hop across the floor once in awhile and he will give you a kiss if you can wait a few minutes for him to get the courage..that little grey fur ball has taught myself and my husband more than any other animal we've ever had and we take peace knowing hes safe/happy/spoiled beyond belief and so incredibly loved..

I wish you the BEST of luck if you decide to take on the bird and will gladly offer whatever advice I can...

[Cindy215]

Originally Posted by notatoy

Our rescued CAG was not a plucker but "is" still phobic and has been here with us for almost a year..
He started in a petstore than onto a home where the woman had NO clue what to do with him and in her attempt to tame him better cut his flights..every single secondary/primary were cut off - as a result of the continuous towelling she did to catch him hes terrified of any kind of cloth/blanket/paper towel etc and due to the bad clipping he never learned to fly properly #1 and #2 he fell like a rock - the underside of his wings were a giant scabby mess and his keel bone was scabbed up badly as well - thankfully nothing was broken..his diet was all seed..

When he first came here we couldn't approach his cage without him screaming in fear and throwing himself to the bottom of the cage - this was heartbreaking - his grate had to be raised up due to the falls and covered with blankies - we have gone through hell and back with this little guy and still have a longgg way to go..

As of today - he still does get some seeds - about 1 tbsp at breakfast and again at supper - but he is learning to enjoy the fruits/veges - we still cannot approach him without doing it very very slowly and he is known to panic and try to escape - he very seldom steps up and it takes literally hours for him to get the courage to do it - growling the whole time - we had to give him a smaller cage as he was to scared in the big one and had panic attacks daily - he is now much calmer in the smaller cage - he has a perch that was made for him that sits beside his open door - the only time its closed is at night - but hes to scared to wander much when hes out - shadows still scare him - and at times his own feathers.

Its so heartbreaking that this has happened to him - it has made not only us but even our vet more aware of the phobias that can develop in such a short time..

I have no advice as each grey will be different and their treatment/recovery will also be different based on whatever trauma they recieved..all I can say is to have patience and than have some more - I am finding that with every step forward, it feels like 5 back - but that one step is always such a huge one for him..

His flights are slowly coming in and hes practicing his flapping and does enjoy to hop across the floor once in awhile and he will give you a kiss if you can wait a few minutes for him to get the courage..that little grey fur ball has taught myself and my husband more than any other animal we've ever had and we take peace knowing hes safe/happy/spoiled beyond belief and so incredibly loved..

I wish you the BEST of luck if you decide to take on the bird and will gladly offer whatever advice I can...

OMG how sad. It IS so heartbreaking to read. I think when his feathers come in if he can get any lift, he'll get more confidence. Like you said, time and patience....and alot of sitting on the floor, I bet.

[Sashagirl]

Oh these stories are so sad.I have a total of 18 FIDS and some of them came
from some bad situations.I have 3 Greys 2 TAG and 1 CAG.One of the TAG's came from a closing petstore and was not socialized.The original owner dropped it off on consignment(as if it was an item of clothes).I saw the TAG but never handled it until I took it home.It was so afraid of any contact that it would let out a blood curdling scream.This went on for at least 6 months or more.I could barely do anything around him without him going into a panic attack.He now resides in our livingroom with the other Greys and he has adjusted well.It is now almost 2 years in September and he still a little leery at times but he steps up and gives kisses.So he has come a long way.I'm assuming it's a male I named him Taco.He has come a long way and now I am looking for the next challenge.

[Cindy215]

Originally Posted by Marcia D

Oh these stories are so sad.I have a total of 18 FIDS and some of them came
from some bad situations.I have 3 Greys 2 TAG and 1 CAG.One of the TAG's came from a closing petstore and was not socialized.The original owner dropped it off on consignment(as if it was an item of clothes).I saw the TAG but never handled it until I took it home.It was so afraid of any contact that it would let out a blood curdling scream.This went on for at least 6 months or more.I could barely do anything around him without him going into a panic attack.He now resides in our livingroom with the other Greys and he has adjusted well.It is now almost 2 years in September and he still a little leery at times but he steps up and gives kisses.So he has come a long way.I'm assuming it's a male I named him Taco.He has come a long way and now I am looking for the next challenge.

Bless you for all that hard work. I think being in a group is good for them. Even if they act wierd about it I think it gives them more security. Good luck with the new guy.

[bb100]

Marcia,

Good luck with your latest addition. I find it so heartbreaking to hear these stories especially when it doesn't ever have to be that way. My CAG Max has so much "Spirit" and "Fearless" independence that I wonder what monster could ever come along & break everything they could/should be... So sad what happens to so many.

[kensbuns]

My Cleo (Cag) 6 Was once a horrible plucker. She was first taken in by a friend of mine who turned her completely around. I took her in when my friend who had her completely featherd decided to downsize her flock. Guess what she plucked back down to down. But she is now feathering back up. My guess for Cleo is hormonal plucking. You just never know!!

[macattack]

I'd say go for it... you have the experience and the flock. Whats one more... :) Will you be able to handle the additional workload? and extra time? if not a problem than if you can afford it and feel you can help, than why not?

[Sashagirl]

Well as far as handling and affording it where there's a will there's a way.My husband and I share the expenses.I am a stay at home animal mom and we do what we can do with them.Like you said what's one more.I have agreed to stop at 20 because I think anymore my husband will run screaming from the house.I don't want to overwhelm him now we've only been married 6 mon.
I still have to contact the guy that has the CAG.I had a death in the family so
I'm waiting until after the arrangement are made.Then I will go forward with this CAG looking to be rehomed.