birdbrain in ky

[itsjustpam]

hi everyone. my name is pam and i recently (3/31) adopted a 6 month old congo african grey from a breeder. he has settled in very well and when i checked in with the breeder she was impressed with how well things are going. he is a sweet little cuddlebum who is already totally spoiled has my heart wrapped round his little foots. i had no intention of getting a grey. my parents had one and i may still get him. mama died in 2002. father in feb of this year. when father went to hosp last fall he placed peanut with a good bird woman he knew. he is settled. well cared for, loved and content with her. with all that peanut has gone through in the last 5 years, all the losses and moves i just cold not justify putting him through moving from nc to ky just cause i wanted him. it was best for him to stay where he is for now, bt it is agrred that if she ever becomes unable to care for him he will come to me. when i saw this little guy at a bird fair, my heart flew right to him and i had to bring him home.

also, a few days ago i came across a blue and gold macaw who was not in a very good situation. he wasn't being actively abused but we all know that ignorence of the needs of a creature entrusted to you is abuse. this guy looks pretty rough right now. was on zupreem only diet. NO fresh fruits or veggies.
did i mention he is about 21 years old? long time with first owners (elderly couple who died) bout a year with man who kept him in cage in his basement with 6-7 little dogs running in and out all the time. then about a year with the people i got him from. he had no toys. woman told me she had bought him a toy and he tore it right up. from the size of the chain still hanging in the cage it was a keet sized toy. she complained bout him tearing it p and never got him a new one. his new cage has been ordered (40x30x76) he has 3 good toys in with him right now and more waiting to be introduced. i have never had a macaw before but am applying what i know of parrots to him and researching b&g online.

sorry this is so long. believe it or not, this is the short version of my birdbrainedness.

any advice will be greatly appreciated. specially bout helping the b&g
back in good feather. btw, he ,may have plucked in the past bt does not now.

have a good one,
pam

[bb100]

Welcome to BB!! They are beautiful. I do not have experience with Plucking so I can't help you there but I'm sure your B&G will flourish in his new home.

[winkiebird]

Welcome! Congratulations on adopting those birds. You did the right thing. How does the B&G like bathing/being bathed?

[kymoonshine1969]

Hi...i Have A B&g That Is 15yrs Old And God Help Her Shes A Picker ...or Was ... Someone On Bb Gave Me Really Good Advice...they Told Me To Give Butter A Shower Everyday That Might Help,,,and Believe It Or Not It Has..i Adopted Butter And My Little Pretty Boy..i Have 4 Birds And I Live In Ky Also....i Hope All Goes Well With Ur Macaw...good Luck

[itsjustpam]

thanks for the welcomes.
we took Bubba out to play 2 days ago. the man we got him from would reach in, Bubba would get upset, man would put his arm behind legs and use a child's broom to make Bubba step back on his arm. i refused to even consider scaring him to come to me. soooo.... i just opened the door, talked to him a couple of minutes, the put my arm in front of him and told him to step up.
HE DID!!! just like the sweet one he is. he wandered around the room awhile and i tried to work up how to get him back in cause every time i crawled toward him he backed away. thought for sure there was going to be a battle. but when the time came i stood up, walked to him, bent down and offered him my arm with the step up command. he stepped right up. those people had way more trouble with him than we are having. Bubba also started talking more after getting out.
i spray him everyday with warm water, but he just sits there and drip dries. he does seem to be doing a little more preening every day and is starting to look a little better.

moonshine, i had to read your post twice. thought at first you said to give him a butter shower... couldn't for the life of me figure out how to shower him with butter. finally got through my birdbrain that your baby's NAME is butter. sure glad i read a second time instead of running out for the butter.