B&G FEATHER PLUCKING PROBLEM/determing age

[Alyson1977]

Hello to all,
I have recently adopted a B&G who has been in the hands of multiple owners, I've had him for almost a year in August and I have been trying everything, I read about to see if his feathers grow back.
He has plucked all his cheast, back and legs as well as some area of under his wings. His previous owner really neglected him, he used to be locked in his cage all week and only was out on the weekends and was constantly by himself with no toys.
NOw that i have him, he lives like a king, Gets fresh water daily, as well as a daily feeding of farina, which is like oatmeal as well as his seeds and peanuts, and veggies at night.
He was very aggressive untill recently, about a month ago, it took me about a month before i was able to pick take hiim out of cage with a long broom stick, but he is still a bit aggressive when I first approach his cage, it takes him a few minutes to stop lauching at me.
He is loose all day, except at night when He goes inside to sleep, and I cover his cage.
He has lots of toys and different sizes of Perch.
Recently I grew the nerve to use one of my fleece Sweater to wrap him up, when he is wrapped up I am able to pick him up, but he is constatly fighting to get out, once he is out, I am able to pet him on his head by running my finger on it, but only his head, the minute i attempt to touch his wing he tries to bite me.
I Have a room just for him, during the day, and at night when I come home i pick him up and have him on the couch watching tv with me.
I also have a humdifier in the room so it's always full of moisture.
I have anti plucking sprays as well but, he hates getting sprayed even with water I believe he feels he's being punished.
I have recently seen this Sockbuddy website, does anyone know if it works?
he has maybe two feather on his cheast and a few growing in his leg, I do see follicles growing in on his chest every other week like thin hairs, but then a week later they are gone.
I have taken him to an AVian Vet and was instructed to give him Bene bac because of bacteria level, everything is ok now. But the Vet was unable to tell me how old he is, Is there anyway for me to find out?
Also Poor Lucky has fallen out of his cage in the pest and has a lump of Air on his back and on top of his chest, the vet drained some air out of it, but with time it came back. this area has no feathers.
Please let me know if anyone has used that sock budy, as well as determing his age.
Thanks

[Amie]

Oh, I haven't heard of the sock buddy, but we tried to put something on my nudist ekkie that covered her chest (she barbers more than plucks) and all it did was make her pluck around it because she hated having it on!! We use Pluck No More by kings cages Kings Cages Bird Cages Birds & Parrots Cages & Supplies as a spray, shampoo bath, and additive in Scarlett's water. Because she plucked so severely, she is taking a while to refeather, but she's SO much better than she was. It's expensive, but it really does work.

As far as the age thing, this is what was discussed previously that may help http://www.birdboard.com/forum/macaw...-bg-s-age.html

Thank you for adopting a bird with feather and behavior issues!! The reward will be amazing once you break through all the way, I promise.

[Sashagirl]

I have dealt with the feather plucking with Buzz my rescued B&G Macaw and still do.She has been with me 4 years and went through a similar experience like Lucky.She has had every test done and it has been determined it's habitual.We haven't tried the sock buddy but if you should try it I would like to know the results.

Marcia

[Alyson1977]

IF YOU GUYS LOOK @ MY PROFILE YOU WILL SEE A PICTURE OF LUCKY.
Thanks for the feedback, I will look into Kings Products.

[hcc59]

I do not have all the answers, but I ususally handle my macaw with winter gloves thave have leather on the outside bottom (palm and up to the finger tip) and then wool on the upper portion of the glove.
My bird's claws don't bother me and I can carry him around after I have picked him up with the stick first, then he steps off onto my gloved hand.

Also, I shower my bird once or twice a week. He enjoys it and gets mad when I forget. You might consider using a stick and see if he likes the shower?

I have no other ideas for your other issues, good luck.

Christopher

[Lori~D]

Calypso doesnt mind the shower. Im going to try Pluck no more with him. So you put it on and IN him????

[Alyson1977]

The pluck no More spray I have it's made by Hartz I believe, and you only spray it on, just becareful with the eyes.
I am able to pick lucky up he does come up on my arms, he really does not like any stick, he attacks the stick as soon as it comes by him.
I have tried gloves my self when I first got him, and I think that made him really afraid, so i took the gloves off and he comes up.
Its so amazing how much his personality changes after I wrap him up with a sweater for a few minutes, he becomes really calm and allows me to pet him.
I believe he feels secure after I wrap him up, and knows it's ok to let me pet his head.
But only his head.
I really am working on giving him a kiss, but I think we are both really scared of that right now. I am afraid he will bite my lip, and he does bite hard, and I guess he must think he's a pitbull because he doesn't let go, once my wife had him in her arm but need it to go out, I put my arm there and he pretended to put his beek down on my arm to then put his leg to come to me and just took a big bite, and would not let go, I was shacking my arm and it took him quite a while to let go.

[ljhassell]

Ive tried all those products---- to me they are like a palm reader waste of money!. We to have a B&G plucker, every test every allergy test to no avail- it is habitual and does ease at times, I have heard better results with the sock buddy and have ordered one as well. Believe me at 29.00 a bottle pluck no more and strees free are magic water in a bottle! Usless products that make kings alot of money and give us false hopes.

[Lori~D]

Pluck no More is NOT made by Heartz. I dont use anything made by Heartz. Pluck no more is by Kings Cages.

[ljhassell]

Originally Posted by huntress

Pluck no More is NOT made by Heartz. I dont use anything made by Heartz. Pluck no more is by Kings Cages.

And product is still crapola:)