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Something Isn't Quite Right

As much as I love Mr. Feathersworth I may have to make the hard decision of letting him go. He doesn't seem happy here and I feel like I've tried everything. He is now 12 weeks old and should be weaned by now, or at least much farther along in the weaning process than he is. He is at a healthy weight and eats little bits of his pellets and millet, but not enough to sustain himself. I've never seen him take a drink on his own either. So I'm forced to continue to feed him by hand twice a day. Incidentally I had a bird-sitter come by this past weekend being I was out of town and he wouldn't take the formula. However she said she saw him eat from his dish several times and she made sure he took water. But feeding issues aren't the only problem. He is very antisocial and doesn't like to snuggle or be pet anymore. I'm not sure what has changed because he would as a chick. I've spoken to a few breeders/vet about him and tried all suggestions. It's not that he seems miserable or anything but he's not happy either in my opinion and neither am I. I think the best thing for him would be to find a quiet home where he's the only bird or with other Pi's. Our house is kind of wild and noisy all the time not to mention I have a bird with ADHD (Nani).

We'll see what happens, I'm going to see if I can find a forever home for him.

10 comments:

belovedparrot said...

O, I hate it when people have to rehome their parrots!

Good luck if it comes to that.

belovedparrot said...

Are you sure a few more weeks won't solve the weaning issue? You know about abundance weaning, right? Where you let the bird dictate when it's ready to wean.

Some parrots end not liking to be touched -- it isn't really a natural behavior for a parrot to be touched by a human. I have a cockatiel who was a snuggly doll baby as a baby and now acts like I'm a cockatiel-eating monster if I get too close. Absolutely nothing happened to that bird except that he grew up and decided he didn't like being touched. It breaks my heart, but I love him anyway.

belovedparrot said...

Last comment, I swear! If you're sure he's eating and drinking on his own, cut down the hand feeding to once a day for a few days then cut it out altogether. He may be using the hand feeding as a way of keeping close with you. Of course, you'll have to watch his weight to be sure he's eating.

DoodleBird said...

I know he's still quite young and that bronze wings take a bit longer to wean than other Pi's. It's not that I expect him to be weaned completely, but he's made very little progress over a large amount of time. But that's not why I think I should find him a better home. He just doesn't seem happy to me and it breaks my heart. I don't know what else to do. I know you don't know me from the next guy, but if you did you would know that this is a very hard decision for me because I am TOTALLY against people who just drop thier pets at the drop of a hat. But I want him to be happy. It's been very stressful not knowing how to calm him. I didn't include this in the story, but he cries almost constantly whether full or not. And when I say constantly I mean it. So I have to do something. I feel helpless. He is a big cutie and I love him, but I need to do what is best.

MoonGoddess said...

Aw I am so sorry you are feeling this way. :(

I don't know you either, but I do know from reading this blog for a while this can't be easy to think, or admit to. I trust you know what is best for your situation.

As someone who does work in rehoming parrots please be sure that anyone you consider is well aware of what they are getting into. Pis are unique lil buddies. If possible you may want to work with a group in your area (not sure where you are) that can assist with the effort.

Phoenix Landing requires all potential adoptive "parronts" to undergo a home visit & a minimum of a 2 month trial foster period prior to adoption. As you may be discovering sometimes its not the best fit.

I sincerely hope things turn around. I have a conure that I think of rehoming on a weekly basis, but somehow she/he goes from a bad bite to playing with me & my heart melts. Binx has been through 2 previous homes where he was neglected severely (putting a bird in a closet for a couple of days to shut it up...GRRR) & then was part of a hoarding situation where Binx got little attention. I have to give some slack & remind myself he/she wasn't given a chance to learn proper interaction. :(

Hang in there. I don't envy your position right now at all.

I'm here if I can help in anyway or if you need to chat.

DoodleBird said...

Thanks Moon. :) I'm talking to a possible new home for him. She already has a blue-headed pi. I'm meeting with her tomorrow.

I'll feel so relieved when he's in a good home.

Incidentally, he's been a joy today. But then again it's been quiet here.

Mandy said...

Sorry to hear about Mr. F. :-( That had to be a very difficult decision, but I admire your desire to make him happy. Good luck to you both.

Michelle said...

Sorry to hear that Mr. Feathersworth is not happy. I can hear the pain in your words and can imagine this is a nightmare for you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Blessings,
Michelle

belovedparrot said...

It's true I don't know you, but from what I've read of your blog I feel confident you're not coming to this point easily. I wish there was some magic thing to be done to make it easier on Mr. F and you and Nani.

Of course, you can make it really easy on Nani by just sending her to ME!!! ;-)

DoodleBird said...

hahaha! You never give up do you? hehe

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