slowly getting an ekkie.. advice please

[swanwillow]

this is a cross post, I don't think anyone else here frequents my other board, but my apologies if you do

She is a 3-5 y/o eclectus. Very bity for now.. I have two chunks missing ATM. I don't blame her at all. If you count the two stores and the breeder, I'm (or, I WILL be) home #5

heres MY story with her (and why I think shes older than the owner was saying)

I moved to the town I live in back in 2002 (the fall-spring of 03)
This little dime store (Ben Fraklin crafts (sp?)) had birds. A female eclectus, way on the top shelf way in the very very back of the store. Everyone was afraid of her, I remember the tiny cage she was kept in. One toy, not a heck of a lot. That was the last I know of her... She was sold about 6 months after I first saw her.

Now, the rest of the story.

She was bought by a guy. I don't think she was taken out much, if at all. Stick trained step, I'm pretty sure she was bought as an ornament. Her cage is nice and roomy, but needs to be stripped of paint, Its chipping and I'm pretty sure its stainless steel under the nice white coat

3 years later; I see an add in the local paper-female eclectus, 3 y/o, 800. I called, but not having the cash and noone being home when I called but a cabash to that.

SOOO, two weeks later, I walk into the BAD pet store and.. BAMB there she is. Same bird from Ben Fraklin, same bird from the paper. How do I know, the owner of the store told me of what little of her story that she knew.

$100 down, and the owner agreed to let me do payments as long as I can, so long as I don't resell her (which I won't) 600 total.

Shes missing some feathers, (see below) I'm learning more and more about eclectus care. Got her new toys, got rid of the crap in her cage. (mirror, huge unknown branches, dangly things that just weren't safe.. that means they were metal strings that toys were once attached to!!!)

AND I'm getting into making toys. I felt bad for the amazon in there, So I made him a couple of toys too. Dehydrated veggies and fruit, string (not hemp-can't remember what it was now, but its one of the safe not cotton type) and apple tree that was dipped in something yummy and colorful (secret recipie!)

Probably just gave the FIDS 100 dollars in new toys, 40 of which went to a needy but nasty, hateful, not going to be mine EVER zon. I just felt horrible for him too.
sorry, ranting. ANYWAY, thats whats up, and theres a real down payment, it comes with a cage, AND I can make payments. THANK GOD!

BUT her name is Lucy. I HATE the name lucy. she even says 'hello lucy' gotta figure out if its too late to change her name! oh boy!

AND questions; how fast should I push her? I mean, she knows her steps, most of what she does is bluffing. I have gotten a few bites-one blood, but that was a pinch, and one bruise (she DUG through the sweater to find my skin)
She'll let me do some very LIGHT petting in the middle of her back. That sounds better than some other ekkies on here.

what can I do about feather loss? its strange;she still has the down where shes missing the red and blues, and its patchy, not all over. Is that from not enough humidity/baths.. or is it nutrient related? or both?

She seems to be in decent shape, other than being cage aggressive.. she will stick step off the cage, then off the stick to an arm, or wherever you want her to go. just that stupid cage....