AviCalm - Anti-Agression? Does anyone use this product?

[PowerBBS]

Originally Posted by ljhassell

I by no means mean JAIL her- but a few days of her having little interaction works wonders. I have had to attend to dying elderly parent and birds have had no out time for 2 weeks, they didnt die or have any mental- physical problems. I think you need to consult a behaviourist- let me see if I can find some links

First I need to express some apologies as I just realized that using the term "jail" might have been a bit out of line on my part. It wasn't intended to be taken that way.

Second, even without intending to, the "keep her in the cage for a while" test will actually be done this next week. On Sunday the 27th I leave for Florida and will not be returning until Saturday the 3rd. The misses is dreadingly afraid of Franky as everytime she gotten Franky out without me being around, Franky has attacked her. So unless I'm there to safe guard the misses, my wife won't get Franky out of her cage. She'll go in and change her food and spend an hour or so petting Franky thru the bars, but won't be getting her out for all that time.

So ... this is a good thing from the sounds of your original recommendation, as it will force us and her to undergo the "time-out" time you're suggesting. I just hope that when I come back I don't have a very pissed off bird having not gotten to see or interact with me for an entire week.

I'll let you all know how it turns out when I return next weekend. Thanks again.

[Busguy]

Have a safe trip and try not too worry too much while gone. I think you will find that Franky will be vvery happy to see you when you get back.

Last long trip I was in Budapest for a full week and when I returned they were very loving and cuddly for a few days (more so than usual). I did cheat though and called almost everynight to talk to them near their bedtime which was a chore due to the time difference.

[SDavid]

I just want to say that I haven't experienced anything close the extreme that is being described here. So I'm not judging anyone or their situation. I don't know what it's like to go through something that bad. My reason for posting is the fear that a product like this will someday become a widespread common thing used by anyone who simply wants a quiet bird or a tame bird, etc. To be used as a first, "quick" solution for something that the bird isn't even doing wrong, so to speak. That probably doesn't apply to anyone on a forum such as this one where we do the utmost for our fids. But, we do live in a society of "quick-fixes" and remedies. I feel many out there would not exaust any possibilities before medicating.

[ljhassell]

I think ( hope) it may surprise you, with your wife giving her some attention and not having any bad behaviour or reactions may just be what you all need. Please let us know how things are after you return. Have a safe trip!

[sassie]

To those who have used it.

How did you give it & at what dosage --- or are there directions on the container

[PowerBBS]

Originally Posted by sassie

To those who have used it.

How did you give it & at what dosage --- or are there directions on the container

There are directions on the container. For a large bird like a U2 it takes actually very little of the product. They say 1 and 1/2 tsp over the food and a gentle quick mix (if you over mix the fine powder just falls to the bottom of the bowl).

My U2 seems to be eating it. She has a problem of tossing food (all of her food) from her dish at times, so it's hard to determine how much she eats and how much she tosses. I feed her twice a day (morning and then again evening). I've seen her eat from the bowl so, I know at least she's getting "some". I also add the chimimile(sp) tea flowers to her food with every bowl. The entire bag of tea per bowl of food. Her food is a 50% parrot seed mix and 50% ZuPreem fruit flavored pellets. She seems to eat an equal amount of both seed and pellet.

The 4oz container should last at least a month or longer considering how little you need to use. The 4oz container is about the size of a standard yogurt container.

She doesn't scream as much now, so perhaps the "anti-screaming" part of the AviCalm seems to be working. I tried one last time before I leave to get her out. She lasted about 10 minutes then started to "hunt" for a target. She took a soft lunge at my hand and a quick bite and let go of my finger, so I immediately decided I'd end it before it got bloody and wrapped her and put her back.

The next week (7 full days and nights) will be her left in her cage to ponder the fact that biting gets her put into her cage everytime; as I'm leaving to Orlando for that entire week. Thank you for your recommendation. I hope I see some differences or changes upon my return.

[kali]

good luck!!

[sassie]

ty for your reply! I also hope something changes for you & her sake!

[bevp1951]

I have been using Avi Calm for about a month on my African Grey Lulu. Lulu is 14 years old and I have had her since 4 months. She started plucking feathers at about 5. She first plucked her entire chest. I immediately took her to the vet. They did a blood work up and could find nothing wrong. She let those feathers grow back in and then started plucking the sides of her wings and around her nape or neck area and back. She has done this ever since. I tried using Pluck No More and spent $500 in about 5 weeks. I followed the directions as written. It seemed to help some but she was still plucking but maybe not as much. I saw Avi Calm in Bird Talk and decided to try it. Her feathers look so much better, almost completely grown in. I also use Featheriffic. I put the Featherific on top of her bean mixture food in the mornings. I put the Avi Calm in her water twice a day. I am crossing my fingers that this will continue to work. Her personality has not changed. She is the same Lulu. This product goes along way. I can afford to use it, where I couldn't spend $500 in 5 weeks on the Pluck No More. I am convinced that her plucking is simply for attention. She craves it and if I am not paying attention to her, she will pluck out a feather and just look at me. She is also extremely jealous. I have two other birds. I hope this posting helps others. Try putting the Avi Calm in the water. I think that she is calmer in her cage and doesn't seem to pluck while she is on her perch or at night.

[wizard348]

I am on the internet to buy more. As most of you know, My Princess was locked in a garage with two large dogs for the first five years of her life.

When I got her, she had little to no feathers below her neck. I had her checked at by Dr. Susan Clubb, who found phyically wrong with her. She gave me two liquids that I add eight drops of each to her pellets and I put two scoops of AviCalm in her cup of water.

Compared to what my girl looked like five years ago, when I got her, she looks great now. She still pulls out feathers on her chest and she only has a few wing feathers that are normal length. The same with her tail. BUT, I wouldn't trade her for a Best of Show Umbrella.

She is the most loving, loyal, gentle girl I have ever seen. I trust her completely as to her biting me or being aggressive toward me. I know, everyone say "She is still a wild bird." Oh well.... I can take a nap with her standing on me and trust her to be very gentle when she wakes me. She likes to bite my eye lashes, which I let her do. She is just that gentle and I trust her that much.

She doesn't like anyone else in the family. I let loose in the house, when I am home and I don't follow her around every second. She doesn't get into anything that she shouldn't but she will attach my wife, no matter where she is.

I don't know if it is the AviCalm or what, but I use it. I buy it in the 16 oz container, powder form, from avitech.com. "It contains L-Theanine in a maltodextrin base especially for birds."