A Whole New Start!

[Nita591]

I have previously posted on a thread regarding plucking and was very concerned regarding my lovies plucking. I appreciate that it is the festive season and people are busy with more important things, but I am still a little concerned with my babies.

I started off with 2 lovebirds, I had had canaries and budgies previously and so very little experience with these little devils! I actually semi-rescued this pair. They were in an aviary in a pet shop with cockateils and no other lovebirds. The female had a deformed looking wing and can`t fly (she can glide well though!) and the male had a funny looking foot. However, I couldn`t leave them. The female was on the floor hiding and the male didn`t know what to do with himself. I took them home, got them a cage which she could climb around in and generally spoilt them rotten. They were allowed free "flight" every day.....one day the cat hid himself in the room when I left and wished he hadn`t as he found himself terrorised by these tiny demons!!

She laid an egg on the the floor of the cage, so me not knowing any better thought a nest box would be a good idea. We had three eggs and then three cheeps. I didn`t know about hand feeding or pulling them and left them to the parents. Luckily they were very good and I now have the three cheeps (babies).

I then bought a larger cage. These birds are not hand tame, I really don`t have the time to do this. 5 birds were not easy to observe flying safely. So, the cage I bought was large enough for a good safe flight for them. Then the plucking started. Torso, neck and some bum. Dad started being attacked, unfortunately he then passed away.

I did have them checked by a vet and an avian vet gave his opinion. No parasites, fungus, virus etc. I gave up smoking, stopped air fresheners etc.

I then took on another couple of lovies who needed rehoming quickly. Shouldn`t, I know, but I did. So, ended up with 6 lovies in nest boxes, eggs and still plucking.... Then, the original mother was attacked and had a foot injury. The worst plucked bird is the odd female cheep without a mate. I made the decision to recage the mother and her daughter in my original cage. They don`t fly so I don`t let them out at the mo. I then went out the pet store for extra perches...and came home with a new cage!!! Recaged the last 4 in a smaller but still spacious cage. No nest boxes!

I now have to let the flyers out daily. The two blue/green cheeps are not fly clever and tend to bounce off wall! The masked love it and try to visit the non-flyers in their cage. I am now hoping the feathers will grow back quickly. I have gone back to misting, although they seem to hate it.

So, long story, sorry!! But, what I am trying to say is.... I was a complete novice. Bought 2 birds and a book, was never warned what they require. I am now trying to catch up after 7 years!! This forum has been such a help and please don`t judge me too much, I`ve tried!!

I am trying to upload pics of my scabby birds....maybe you can help with identification?

I have done more research and it seems I may have - 2 female and 1 male dutch blue (peach faced), 1 female peach faced, 1male and 1 female blue masked.

Nita xx

PS. The photos are after a misting....

[shosh]

HI there Nita,

Well you did a lot of good by rescuing the birds but unfortunately, as you know now, it requires more than just a big heart...it requires knowledge and the energy to properly take care of so many birds...otherwise, they are going from a bad situation to a bad situation.
The cages all seem large, which is great.
Let's start from scratch.
GET RID OF THE NESTING BOXES UNLESS YOU WANT MORE BABIES...which you don't.
The plucking certainly seems stress induced and it's no wonder. So....what are you feeding the birds? You need to start with a good diet. Pellets of a high quality....harrison's, roudybush or even Zupreem ( natural )....they need some seed as well ( avoid any seed with additives such as artificial colours...these can require some searching)and it is very important to have lots of fresh vegetables, especially those high in Vitamin A,like carrots, swiss chard, etc. Fresh fruit is good, too, although not as beneficial as the veggies....mine love figs and apples and grapes.
Make sure they have lots of toys to play with and lots of swings and perches of different sizes and shapes and materials. Rope and natural wood are best....be careful to make sure the wood is safe for birds ( no risk with store bought wood perches.)
I recently invested in full spectrum lighting as well and have noticed a big improvement in my plucker ( also a rescue ). I did it cheaply by buying a clip on lamp and investing in a featherbrite 15 W bulb. 30 dollars for each of my 3 cages and it was done.
Please watch you birds if they are flighted that they do not hurt themselves.
My birds all can fly ( except the rescue who is lame) but please make sure they don't fly into walls and mirrors. They can seriously injure or kill themselves.
Taking a look at the cages, make sure you've got more perches on ALL levels of the cage. Get rid of the shavings and just use plain old newspaper to line the cage floor...it's cheap and more sanitary. Get rid of the frayed rope perches and get some new ones ( they can injure themselves on the pieces of rope). As I mentioned earlier, make sure the perches are different sizes and shapes, too...to exercise their feet. (very important).
Get some toys!!! toys to tear...toys to bang around, too.
Looks to me like you've got 3 peachfaced lovies and two masked....( I only see 5 birds in the pics....)
They are lovely but rather dishevelled looking.(despite the aftermisting photo).
Don't give up on the misting.....Use HOT water so that it is warm when it comes up the straw. I would consider adding some aloe vera juice ( not gel ) to the mix as well. It's soothing on their skin and will help their feathers grow in nicely. Spray OVER the birds not at them...so it is like a falling rain.

Good luck.....DIET, TOYS, LIGHT, PERCHES...etc. It's all part of loving our animals.

[Nita591]

THANK YOU!!
I have already removed the nesting boxes from the pairs. I had originally left the box in with the two females while the mother recovered from her injury but that box has now gone.
The pictures are pretty rubbish because I had to use my iPhone which doesn`t zoom and the camera has gone walkabouts! I do have 6 lovies, but 1 refused to be photoed, she`s the same colour as the male in pic 1 but nowhere near as scraggy. She is only a bit tattered around her chest from plucking while sat on her last lot of eggs. The feathers are now starting to come through since removing her box.
The smaller cage with the two birds has paper which they love to tear up. The bigger cage has shavings under the grid and then I supply paper on top for them to tear. I have added extra perches of various types, shop bought, including wooden and new ropey type. I only buy rope, wood and the mineral type, I keep away from plastic because I worry about their chewing. The frayed rope in the middle pic is from a swing they chew.
They have swings and chewy toys, but didn`t think about other types as they didn`t seem interested. I will perservere and try again.
Feeding is like feeding my daughter!! At the moment I have them on seed and pellet, they won`t eat just pellet. They love apple and greens but ignore most other things. I just keep offering a selection in small portions and keep my fingers crossed.
The 4 birds which fly have access to the front room which has no mirrors and I close the curtains so they can`t fly into the windows. They love circling my head, luckily no poop on my head yet!
The misting - I do it as you suggest, raining it onto them and using it warm. I will try the aloe vera. I will also look into getting a lamp for them, it never occurred to me about this because the room they are in has loads of natural light. However, if it works then it`s certainly worth it!
They actually seem happier since I seperated them, so with all the other little things, maybe we`ll have improvements very soon, fingers crossed
Again, thank you so much

[shosh]

when you think of it, Nita, if someone put 6 people into the same house and they all were making babies and got in each other's space, etc....I think I would probably start getting pissed off, too....especially if the space isn't large enough for everybody. Separating them is a good move...let them live a little and have fun just being birds.
I have loads of natural sunlight in my room, too, btw...but although the sunlight itself is beneficial because of the light itself and the warmth ( if they are close enough to sit in the rays), the windows filter out 99% of the UVB and UVA, both of which are essential to a bird's ( and human's) well-being.
Look into featherbrite bulbs...they have 4% UVA and .05% UVB and are 15 W..which is great for the lovebirds. LIke I said, a clip on lamp from Lowe's did the trick ( $9 ) and then the bulb inside and...tada...you've got your FSL at a fraction of the cost of the fancy lighting...and when you've got 3 cages, that's a lot of savings.
To be honest, it's hard to know HOW long to leave the lights on...some say 2 hours, others say as long as 12, to mimic the natural sun cycle in their natural region. I don't know what's right...try starting lower and building up to where you see a difference in how they behave and look. have certainly noticed a HUGE difference in the COLOUR of my birds' feathers....much more luminescent and colourful.
Anyhow....it's seems as if you are on the right track. It can be hard to find toys they like..I know mine really like toys they can shred and lovebirds are known shredders...but I still get them some acrylic toys they can smash around ( you are right....plastic is too easy for them to rip apart).
Keep us posted..

[bigwahoo]

Shosh has given you good advice. Pulling the nesting boxes is a must. We have found some toys that work, mostly things with Popsicle sticks and small frayed rope. Also, plain white unscented paper towels work well. Which I see you give.

Here's some links
Tips for Beginners on Breeding Lovebirds
Lovebirds, Agapornis, African Parrots, Peachfaced Lovebirds

Let us know how it goes

[Nita591]

Just a quick update, thank you for your replies.

My lovies are definitely happier since I seperated them. The original mother is fluffier already, but her cagemate doesn`t seem any different yet. The two pairs in the bigger cage are little devils. They are out most of the day flying around my head as I work. The females appear to have feathers coming through now, even the places the males seemed to be having a go at. The blue male has no bald or thinning spots but the green male is still balding around his neck. Early days though.

I have spent another fortune on toys and perches and have also ordered a few online (don`t tell hubby!!) I couldn`t find aloe vera in our shops but have managed to order that online as well. Lovies won`t be pleased, they still don`t like the misting much, they prefer the water bowl.

But, they are happier...and noiser!

Thank you and Happy New Year!

[shosh]

Good to hear!! You can usually pick up aloe vera juice in your local health food shop.....
Keep the water nice and hot and mix in about 60-40 ratio water to aloe(by the time it comes up the straw, it;ll be warm)
We all need our space, so I'm glad the distance is working. Don't worry about telling the hubby. Mine is in the dark about my spending on the birds and cats, too....it's the secret to a successful marriage and happy pets.

[mayaexquisite]

Originally Posted by Nita591

I am trying to upload pics of my scabby birds....maybe you can help with identification?

I have done more research and it seems I may have - 2 female and 1 male dutch blue (peach faced), 1 female peach faced, 1male and 1 female blue masked.

Nita xx

PS. The photos are after a misting....

It's really hard to identify them because they're wet, and as you mentioned the picture quality isn't that great. Looking at the first picture, though, that one doesn't seem to be a Dutch Blue because it looks like it has a pinkish beak rather than a horn colored beak. Also because the father isn't Ino or Cinnamon, which is a sex-linked trait, the only way for you to tell what sex your offspring are is by DNA testing. I'd love to see photos of them when they're dry, front and back.

[Nita591]

Thank you for your reply
You are quite right, the masked have pinkish beaks, the greens are the same as your Mika.
Can`t get a pic at the mo, they are so sulking!
I had the two blue masked in with the two greens and they started to pick on the greens. So, I had to do a little rearranging. Now I have the blues on their own in the smaller cage and the mother and 3 cheeps in the bigger cage.
They have to be allowed free flight in the room seperately, but seem to be doing okay. Few feathers coming through on the baldies.
Trying new fruit and veg still, but stubborn little blighters are still refusing all but cabbage and apple!
Will try to catch a few better pics soon, but am a little preoccupied with a very poorly dog at the moment...

[Nita591]

Thank you for your reply
You are quite right, the masked have pinkish beaks, the greens are the same as your Mika.
Can`t get a pic at the mo, they are so sulking!
I had the two blue masked in with the two greens and they started to pick on the greens. So, I had to do a little rearranging. Now I have the blues on their own in the smaller cage and the mother and 3 cheeps in the bigger cage.
They have to be allowed free flight in the room seperately, but seem to be doing okay. Few feathers coming through on the baldies.
Trying new fruit and veg still, but stubborn little blighters are still refusing all but cabbage and apple!
Will try to catch a few better pics soon, but am a little preoccupied with a very poorly dog at the moment...