Today is vet day...

[cassiesdad]

...for Buddy and Milton in Buffalo, NY. We'll be asking about collars for Milton and why the sudden interest in building nests by Buddy. Other than that, Kathy will be using ear plugs because I'm sure Buddy will be yelling at Milton...and Milton will be yelling, "SHUT UP BAD BIRD" back at Buddy.

...and I will be turning up the radio...

 

[faislaq]

Good luck to all of you! Can't wait to hear about the trip.

 

[rocky'smom]

Vet day is stressful for all involved. Hopefully it will go well. Milton you and Buddy be kind to one another

 

[sunnysmom]

Have a safe trip.

 

[iamwhoiam]

Hope all goes well today!

 

[Tiel Feathers]

They are just like two little kids! I hope the trip goes well for everyone!

 

[Chopper]

Good luck and have a safe trip.

 

[Chopper]

Good luck and have a safe trip.

 

[cassiesdad]

We have returned. Everyone survived...and so did our hearing...the birds weren't as bad as usual. The vet was laughing about Buddy's nest building efforts...and she agreed that it wasn't hurting him, so if he wants to build nests, it's OK.

We kind of agreed that since there's no physical problem with Milton's plucking, and since it's stopped, that we'll start him on avicalm again and see what happens. Collaring is such a drastic step...and really it becomes a "permanent" thing...because if the collar is removed for any length of time, Milty will see it as a chance to attack his feathers. So, we'll see what happens.

 

[enigma731]

If you do choose to go the collar route, it doesn't have to be all or none. You can shape it like other behaviors by taking it off for increasing periods and reinforcing him for not attacking his feathers. I'm doing this right now with a rescue tiel who mutilates and it's going well. But I do agree that it's not needed if other things work and if he's not giving himself wounds.

 

[Lady Jane]

Is Buddy and male for female>

 

[cassiesdad]

Is Buddy and male for female>

Buddy is a boy...

 

[rocky'smom]

Boys build nests too. Bebe is very good at it, nesting his pingpong ball.

 

[cassiesdad]

Boys build nests too. Bebe is very good at it, nesting his pingpong ball.

I think that is so very sweet of Bebe to do that!

 

[rocky'smom]

He sure makes a mess though .

 

[cassiesdad]

He sure makes a mess though .

I hear you there! Buddy's nest building creates tons of paper remnants that are strewn all over the place...

 

[cassiesdad]

If you do choose to go the collar route, it doesn't have to be all or none.

I think it depends on the bird... reactions to a restrictive device placed "on" their body will be different for every bird...to them, it is all or none.

You can shape it like other behaviors by taking it off for increasing periods and reinforcing him for not attacking his feathers.

I am aware of this technique you mention...and I've discussed it with my AV. It might be a technique we use with Milty if a collar is needed.

. But I do agree that it's not needed if other things work and if he's not giving himself wounds.

I was half expecting Milt to open up a skin wound this time...as he was scratching and biting areas that have been featherless for awhile now.

Believe me, I DON'T want to take the drastic step of collaring Milton...the thought of collaring makes me cringe...

 

[enigma731]

It definitely does depend on the bird. My last tiel couldn't tolerate it and ultimately died from complications of mutilation that we couldn't stop. My new girl actually seems to find the soft collar comforting -- when it's time to put it back on, she stands there and lets me do it and then grinds her beak contentedly. I am wondering if it helps her anxiety in the same way a weighted blanket can be comforting.

Anyway, I hope you don't have to take such a drastic step.

 

[camelotshadow]

Glad the vet trip was uneventful & hope you can figure out the mess Milton is trying to get himself into...When did it start??? Buddy???

 

[cassiesdad]

My new girl actually seems to find the soft collar comforting -- when it's time to put it back on, she stands there and lets me do it and then grinds her beak contentedly. I am wondering if it helps her anxiety in the same way a weighted blanket can be comforting.

I think you're spot on there.