Cones, Bubbles, E-collars

I got to thinking just now, as I was scritching Sisco and removing some of the sheath on her new pin feathers, that when she had an E-collar on, how uncomfortable that must have been when she had new feathers popping thru. I wonder if we aren't doing more harm than good using these types of devices.

When I got Sisco, she had a bubble collar around her neck. It looked very uncomfortable to me and so we took it off the next day, but as soon as it was off, she went on a plucking spree! We made an E-collar of X-ray film and put that on her. I took that off of her when it was apparent that she was having trouble getting to her food.

I have not used anything like that since, and the plucking continues. But, I'd rather her be comfortable rather than be in pain due to a pin feather bending the wrong way. If I touch a new pin feather, I get bit. Can you imagine if a bird has a bubble collar on and has a new pin feather coming thru, but is bent or rubbing the collar, how grouchy they are because of the pain of that new feather?

That's why I feel it is important to use something more soft and pliable rather than something that won't move and will inhibit growth of new feathers under it. For some birds, feather plucking is due to a medical condition. For others it is due to environment and then becomes a habit that is very difficult to end. To get it to stop, something needs to change or become better in the bird's environment. Look around to see what could possible be a trigger for this plucking. An air freshener? A new lotion (or something on your skin like residue smoke, cleaners, metals, hazardous materials, etc) causing an allergic reaction to him? A new family member (can be human or animal)?

We looked around, but did we spot anything? Yes? Good, fix it. No? Look again. Still nothing? OK, work on getting the habit to stop by replacing it with a new habit or habits. A way to do that is to literally replace that habit with something else. Keep him or her extra extra busy so she doesn't have time to pluck. Easier said than done if you have a job. All you can do in that situation is to try and keep her busy while you are gone with special toys that you only put into use when you have to be gone. The idea is to keep her engaged during the day so she doesn't think about her feathers. Whether or not you have to work, it doesn't matter because this will be a slow on going process, or so I am learning. :-)

Good luck! Any questions or comments, let me have 'em!

The World's Only Pickiest Conure

No pun intended, really. She does pluck her feathers and pick at her skin, but I mean that she is picky about food. She thinks the only worthwhile veggie to eat is mashed potatoes. A girl after my own heart...I love potatoes, too! But, I also eat a huge variety of foods, and I'm not a parrot!

Most conures are not as picky about their foods as Sisco is. Most conures love food of any sort. However, Sisco never got that memo. She even refuses Doritos! What parrot refuses a cheese covered chip?! None that I know of except Sisco. 

Anyway, since she is so picky I decided to add some vitamins to her water in the morning. And, I am going to introduce a few other veggies in her mashed potatoes like cauliflower and sweet potatoes. She doesn't get mashed potatoes every day. Maybe once or twice a week. I do give her a plate of fresh and/or steamed veggies and pasta every day, so it's not like she isn't exposed to the fruits and veggies and doesn't get a chance to eat them. Because, she does.

It's only been a week since I started adding vitamins in her morning water, and there hasn't been any changes that I can see. We are also still doing our steam bathes which I have noticed makes a huge difference if we skip a few days. (I don't skip showering, I bathe on some days just so you know I'm not walking around stinking up the place LOL)

The differences in Sisco's skin is amazing when we shower as opposed to when we don't. When we don't, it is red and irritated and she picks at it a lot more. When we do shower, it is nice and smooth, almost has an even tone to it.

I know from dealing with my son's severe eczema that Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine and the vitamins that I bought for Sisco has extra C in it, which is why I bought that brand.

When adding a supplement of any sort to a bird's water, it is important to watch carefully to make sure they are drinking that water. If it tastes differently or if it smells weird, they may refuse to drink it. I am watching Sisco to make sure that doesn't happen. It hasn't. She drinks. Another important fact is that vitamins lose their potency in water, so changing water often through out the day is a good idea. I don't add any more vitamins to her water when I change it through out the day, and boy howdy do I have to change it a lot! She is a typical conure to the point where she makes soup of her food and toys. *grin* I love my baby!

Do Unto Others as They Would Do Unto You

Remember that phrase? I grew up with that constantly being repeated to me as a kid. My mom would say that in hopes that I would make a friend in school. She'd try to squash my fears of being picked on at school that day with this phrase and the "sticks and stones" one.

Both are lies.

No one knows how you want them to treat you until you tell them. You show people how to treat you by not speaking up. Speak up and let them know that how they are treating you isn't right. Whether it is a spouse, parent, friend, or what-have-you they don't have the right to treat you any differently than any other person in their lives. Demand respect.

Sissy's Backside

is all scabby. :( She still has the feathers and more popping in thru her back, but her hiney doesn't looks good. It is evident that she is picking it. Why? I imagine it is itchy and dry and that's why. Wish there was something I could do to help.

As Of Last Night...

Sisco still had all her new feathers. Since I've had this flu, I haven't showered, instead I have been taking nice long hot bathes. Which means, no steam showers for Sisco, either. However, I had to run an errand (in between fevers. I religiously used my hand sanitizer. Let's face it, I had to go to Walmart, and that place is a germ factory right there!! ) so, while I was getting ready to head out on my errand, I turned the shower on and let the bathroom get nice and steamy for Sissy. I got to see how she acts when the steams is rising. I do believe she loves her steam showers!!

Who Is My Rock?

Who is the one person I can count on to be there for me? As I was sitting in the living room, on the recliner, alternating between chills and sweating thanks to this never-ending fever, I got to thinking, who is my rock?

I am there for so many people. I do things for people because I like to, and I treat people the way I'd want to be treated. It's the way I was taught. Apparently, not everyone was taught that way. I think for now on, I will treat people the way they treat me.

I can see how well that will work tho. People will just call me a bitch.

I don't always ask for help. I believe that the people closest to me ought to know when I need someone. If they don't, that's not my problem. I always know when someone needs something just by the way they interact with me. And, by being aware of everything that is going on with that person. 

Do you know who is there for me when I need someone? My grandfather. My grandfather who has been gone for almost 30 years comes each and every time I need someone, and even when I don't :-)

I certainly can't forget my dearest friend from NY! My soul sister. She listens to me complain, helps me to put things into perspective gently, and is there for the good things, too. And for that, I can't thank her enough.

Love is a verb. An action. Not a feeling or emotion.. Not a tingling sense you get or a noun you can "fall into." Loving someone requires, dare I say it, work on your part. That's why it's so hard for people who are lazy. Loving is a verb. 

By Anonymous

 Sometimes the strongest people in the morning are the people who cried all night.

Not sure who wrote that, either. Found it on a quote forum.

 I know it seems like I'm this strong person who can get though anything, but inside I'm fragile. I've had so many things thrown at me, and each one has only made a crack. What I'm afraid of is shattering.

Unkown

 

More ponchos

I made 10 ponchos yesterday while waiting for my darling daughter to get finished with her pony, as she calls that beast. I like the pink one with the purple corsage the best. Right this moment, Sisco is wearing a pink one that has 3 deep red felt heart buttons on it. I made it for Valentines Day, but since she has a bunch of new feathers, I wanted her to have something on pronto.

We've been taking a shower almost every morning. I shower, she takes a steam bath. Then after our shower, I take her poncho off so she can preen. She loves that! But, today we were running errands and I wanted her to have something on while we were gone. So, I grabbed the first poncho that I saw. Oh well, she looks adorable anyway! Unfortunately, I did not get any pics of this poncho. But, I did get some of the other ponchos I made. Plus a picture of her new feathers!!!

                   And, a picture of her in her Christmassy poncho!