AKROBOTICA
Checking out the neighborhood
- Joined
- 11/4/19
- Messages
- 3
- Real Name
- Keri
Hi! I'm new to the forum here and new to bird ownership! ( I am aware of bird care, I grew up around exotic birds and I used to volunteer at an exotic bird sanctuary. I haven't ever owned one because my father does not like the noise). ANYWAY... I just rescued a 20 yr old blind white male dove from a local "sanctuary"( their aviary conditions were not the greatest). They had no info on him. They didn't know who dropped him off or what gender he was, how he lost his sight, or even how long he had been at the "sanctuary" under their care. So, I know absolutely nothing about his past 20 year life. I'm guessing he is a boy because he coos a lot, but I dont know for sure. He has patches of feathers missing (some on his head and some of his neck). The lady said other birds did this to him, but I've seen him plucking out his own feathers already and he was by himself in a cage when I picked him up. I've had him for 2 days so far and things have been pretty great, I just want more info on how to keep him happy and healthy. I know 20 years is very old for a dove and I want his remaining years to be the best.
With that being said, here are my questions/concerns:
1. He is blind. How to I keep him entertained and have him get exercise without flying?
Right now he, sits in one spot in his cage and does nothing(same as in the "sanctuary"). I've experimented with setting up small obstacle courses on the ground outside of his cage and play music. He moves around and climbs on small objects and even "flies" like chicken. He also likes to climb on my body while I lay down with him. He does not seem to like bells though.
2. Should I get him a mate? If so, what kind?
Will getting him a mate stop him from plucking his feathers out? Or will the mate bully him?
3. How do I get him to stop from pulling out his feathers? And how do I help them grow back?
I dont know if this is because he lost his owner of 20 years, if it was the poor conditions at the "sanctuary" , if he had a bird mate and they were separated, or if his loss of sight was recent and not a birth defect.
4. His blindness. So he seems to be used to his disability, as he moves around pretty well. I'm thinking he is either partially blind or hes had this disability for awhile. The lady at the rescue place said he did not have eyeballs when I spoke to her on the phone. That's means hes been this way since birth. But when I picked him up, he did have eyes they were just shrunken in and his eyelids were puffy (one side more than the other). If this is a condition he developed or if he has partial vision( he reacts to light and movement), could there be a treatment for him?
This was a really long post. Thank you to all who take the time to read it!
Thanks,
Keri
With that being said, here are my questions/concerns:
1. He is blind. How to I keep him entertained and have him get exercise without flying?
Right now he, sits in one spot in his cage and does nothing(same as in the "sanctuary"). I've experimented with setting up small obstacle courses on the ground outside of his cage and play music. He moves around and climbs on small objects and even "flies" like chicken. He also likes to climb on my body while I lay down with him. He does not seem to like bells though.
2. Should I get him a mate? If so, what kind?
Will getting him a mate stop him from plucking his feathers out? Or will the mate bully him?
3. How do I get him to stop from pulling out his feathers? And how do I help them grow back?
I dont know if this is because he lost his owner of 20 years, if it was the poor conditions at the "sanctuary" , if he had a bird mate and they were separated, or if his loss of sight was recent and not a birth defect.
4. His blindness. So he seems to be used to his disability, as he moves around pretty well. I'm thinking he is either partially blind or hes had this disability for awhile. The lady at the rescue place said he did not have eyeballs when I spoke to her on the phone. That's means hes been this way since birth. But when I picked him up, he did have eyes they were just shrunken in and his eyelids were puffy (one side more than the other). If this is a condition he developed or if he has partial vision( he reacts to light and movement), could there be a treatment for him?
This was a really long post. Thank you to all who take the time to read it!
Thanks,
Keri