Driving me crazy!!!

[Pharoh]

My almost 5 year old U2 is driving me crazy, he won't stay in his area,
he don't seem to be interested in the 50 toys he has. He won't stay in his
play area or on his 2 play stands. and when i put him back in his cage because he won't stay in his area, he seems to get really pissed and starts
beating up on the toys in his cage, then he starts chewing on the top of his
wing feathers. I have been considering giving him medicine from this web site,
http://www.petmedicinechest.com/avia...herpicking.asp
I jus don't know what else to do. I am a stay at home wife, and I spend most of my day trying to find things to keep him occupied. I have recently purchased a book on how to keep ur parrots busy.
Also, there are 2 other parrots in the home. Any advice please.

[The Outlaw]

I think your poor bird is hormonal as are many others right now. I suggest that perhaps you simply set up a shower rod and shower him. Then return him to his cage. He can preen away and it should slow down feather destruction. I think he'll soon learn that crazy behavior will result in frequent showers. Its no really a punishment, just something else to do. And, the added benefit is less dust.

[Pharoh]

Ah I haven't tried that, I mist him approx. every other day with a mister,
and put him in the shower about every other week or so. So I already have
a shower rod set up jus for the parrots so giving him a shower will be no problem
at all. thank you

[KimBear]

There are other ideas to keep a parrot busy in addition to frequent baths. You generally won't be able to bathe him more than once a day, so having other things on tap is a good idea. On my website, www.kimbear.com I recommend a series of trick training products, and I also have an article on cockatoo aggression you may want to look at. Even though your cockatoo doesn't sound like he's being overly aggressive with you, you can get an idea of whether or not you think he's having hormone issues based on what's described in the article. There are some care and enviornmental changes you can make to help alleviate hormonal surges if you think this is what's happening with your bird.

Are all your cockatoo's toys available to him at once? It may be better if you provide only a few in each play area, and change them out often. Engaging your bird in lots of active games helps, too. Fetch (he tosses, you fetch), dancing, and climbing a rope are a few examples. The trick training is useful, too, because not only does it give him something to do, but it helps him stay more focused.

Cockatoos can be taught to stay. It takes some work, but it can be done. They may not stay for hours at a time, but even if you can keep him in one spot for 20-30 minutes, that may help.

Think about setting up a consult with me, if nothing else, so I can tell you how to train your bird to stay where you put him. I've written it out before, but it really is better to tell someone how to do it.