Someone please, help me with this....

[DidiBird]

Help me. Somebody please, help me.

This is a long read, but I'm desperate for some advice, or at the very least, a little emotional support. Please read.

I have 2 golden conures that have literally everything any bird could ever want.

They have:

• An entire ROOM in my house with toys hanging from the ceiling. Their cages are in there but the cage doors are always open, so they have free range in that room, can go in and out of their cages, or hang out on some suspended perches or swings. The window in this room overlooks the backyard.
• A WALK-IN AVIARY in my back yard that gets both full sunlight and plenty of shade. Let me emphasize the WALK-IN part because this thing is massive, and FULL of toys and perches.
• Harrisons high potency coarse every day + fresh veggies and healthy cooked grains every other day that I “spice” with plant-based nutritional powder for birds. They also get occasional fresh fruits.
• A huge variety of foraging toys with different nuts, dried fruits, and nutriberries to forage for.
• VERY LIMITED seed. Only as special treats, but usually coated with red palm oil and dusted with more nutritional powder, AND they have to forage for it.
• Freshly baked birdy bread always stocked in my freezer
• A full spectrum bulb on a timer
• TONS of toys of ALL kinds
• All their toys and perches get rearranged every few weeks!!!! Its an entire day’s work to do it but we do it!!!
• Fully vetted check-up with clean bills of health, literally fully vetted. Negative for everything.
• A ton of love and affection. They are literally my life.

We have given these birds everything, literally everything we can possibly give them, have literally spent thousands of dollars on them, sacrificed so much space for them in our house and yard, devoted so much of our love, time, attention, and patience to them, and they WON'T. STOP. SCREAMING.

They won’t stop. They won’t stop. It’s all day. It’s all day. Every second of every day. It never stops….

On top of that….they PLUCK, they BARBER, they chew their feet raw, they SCREAM and SCREAM and SCREAM, and I have given them EVERYTHING.

And yes, I will emphasize that they are HEALTHY. Blood works, labs, skin cultures, poop cultures, all negative. All clean.

I don’t know what else to do, I feel like I’ve put my entire soul into giving them the best possible life they could ever have and they are utterly MISERABLE. They are the most miserable animals on this planet. Seriously. I feel like there are circus animals that are more content with their lives than my birds. I’m not even joking.

AM I MISSING SOMETHING?

I love them with all my heart. I adore them with every fiber of my being. I can’t stop crying because despite everything I’ve done, they are so, so, so unhappy…. Where did I go wrong?? I don’t even have the money to be throwing at the situation like I have been, but I do it anyways, I find a way to do it because I love them, and I brought them into my life, so I owe it to them to make their world amazing.

Other things I’ve tried include:

• CBD
• natural calming tea extracts and oils for birds
• Avicalm
• I’ve even tried Gabapentin

Nothing calms them, nothing appeases them, nothing helps them.

Is there something I’m missing?? Is there some obvious thing someone can recognize that I’ve left out??

Rehoming them is not an option. I refuse. I love them way too much. But my heart is broken because I have so intensely failed them after trying so, SO, SO hard to make them happy.
I’ve had them for roughly 8 years. They have gotten worse and worse every year. The worse they get, the more we did: expanded their areas to an entire room, buy more toys, build the aviary. They have SO MUCH, and they are only worse. Worse and worse and worse.

When they scream, we DO NOT go into their room. We wait until 30 seconds of silence or “good” sounds to enter their room and praise them. But now there is NEVER 30 seconds of silence, there are HARDLY ANY “good sounds”. The screaming is so constant, we do not have a window. We could be standing outside their room waiting for 30 minutes and never get even 10 seconds of a window of silence or “good” sounds to go in.

Please, someone at least tell me that I’m doing everything right. Even if you don’t have advice to offer, I could really use some sort of support.

And, please, be nice. Do not bully me. I have nothing but pure love for my birds. The last thing I need is some entitled bird owner who thinks they are an avian specialist just because they have a cockatoo that doesn’t pluck itself telling me how much I suck at being a bird owner and should rehome my birds. Rehoming is not an option, and it would be hard to find a home that has even more space and love and stimuli for them than we provide for them.

Thank you for anyone who took the time to read all this.

Sincerely,

Sam and Mia's momma

 

[JoJo&Loki]

I’m not experienced with this, but I can certainly offer the support you need!

I can feel the love you have for them in your words. I am so sorry for all of you that you are going through this.
I really hope some of the experienced members can help you!

 

[dollfish]

I feel for you with all my heart. I'm sure you must have done enough research to know all this but have you tried paying attention to when they pluck? What else happens during that time? Do you have curtains for the windows? Something might be scaring them. Do you train them? Training is very good mental stimulation. Do you think their room might be stuffy or too dry? Also have you tried not changing the toys/perches around? Maybe you can try taking longer to swop the toys and perches. These are the things that come to my mind. I'm sorry that you feel this way, I hope someone more knowledgable can help.

 

[scrape]

Oh my... that sounds really rough. Birds are such complex animals. Have you tried contacting a specialist/trainer? Someone who can physically come in and help? Also, I hope you're wearing ear protection.
I have seen a video where they play a really loud, sharp noise to get the bird to stop screaming. Then click and reward. You said they have foraging toys, do they forage? Usually foraging helps a lot, and I would recommend lots of that.
In my opinion/experience of course.
I wish you the best, you sound like you're doing great. But don't forget you need to take care of yourself.

 

[sunnysmom]

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with them. Just some questions- how much sleep do they get? Where/how do they sleep? How often are they with people? Are they a bonded pair? Any other pets in your house? Were they babies when you got them? Any significant changes from the time you got them until now? (Babies? Change in work schedule, etc?)

I'll tag people too. @Mizzely ? @Monica ?

 

[Mizzely]

I'm sorry, I feel for you on this because my Quaker put me through the same thing It is clear you love them, and when you pour so much into them and it doesn't change anything it's very hard!

Is it possible that they are screaming because they want more time with you? Do they seem to scream less when you are present? Sometimes parrots that are bonded with people are simply not happy in a bird room because it removes then from the action of the home too much.

 

[Khizz]

I'm sorry that you are so frustrated, I can totally understand. I also can only offer support.

It sounds like some thinking outside of the box is needed here. Hopefully other members can offer solutions you had never thought of. There have been many times I've come across advice on this forum and thought "why did I never think of that?!"

I hope you manage to solve this problem. Do you have any pictures of them?

 

[sunnysmom]

Another thought- the Harrison's High Potency is usually for birds that have special needs, are breeding, etc. At least that's my understanding. That and giving them nutritional powder (what kind is it?) they might be getting too much vitamins? I would maybe stop the nutritional powder and switch pellets to see if it makes a difference. @Birdbabe ? @enigma? @Hankmacaw ? Do you agree or am I off?

 

[TikiMyn]

It sounds like you are doing your very best, and I totally get that you are overwhelmed! Your love for them is obvious. I cannot think of advice that has not been mentioned already.
If they are healthy, are not screaming for you, not scared, not bored, and you ruled all these out I believe a person with insight that could see Them and you in their environment could help. Helping from a screen can be very usefull but sometimes you need a person on the spot.
If you think they might be bored regardless of all their toys(I had this problem with one of my birds) , you can teach Them how to play with their toys, and how to forage.
Are they maybe guarding their home? If they are not a bonded pair they might be terretorial. If there a reason for the high potential harrinsons? I don't know the species well, they might need it but if they don't, could they be getting too much energy rich food together with the bird bread maybe?
You can also teach Them to fly from one spot to another, and then make Them work for a few treats a couple Times a Day by having Them fly to places. That helps my birds calm down a lot. Playing with Them(hide and seek, fetching a ball, dancing etc) might help too, if you don't do that already.
Do they have a set routine?
I hope you can identify the problem to start solving it!

@JLcribber may have input too

 

[JLcribber]

A couple of questions.

How much actual face to face time do you spend with theses birds in their environment?

What kind of schedule/routine/consistency do you provide on a daily basis? This is actually a pretty Important aspect of things.

 

[Monaco]

Pam Clark does consults via zoom. Very affordable and the questionnaire is very thorough. The follow ups have changed frequency, but they happen for a couple of months. We haven't had our appointment yet, but I will leave some information here for you if you want it.

I'm sorry about your situation. It's heartbreaking to see you have so much of yourself invested in their wellbeing and how devastating it is that they are unhappy.

 

[Kate&Pigeon]

That sounds so stressful, I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with your beloved birds. I don't have a lot of experience, but I've found this forum so helpful and the people here are so generous with their knowledge. One thing I was wondering was when do you routinely go to play with them? I have an old rescue Senegal, who was a bit of a shrieker when he came to me every morning and evening especially. But these are the times I always let him out to play with him for at least a few hours and he barely makes a peep now, I believe because he knows his routine that that's our time together. He only calls out when I'm late! (I play with him in the afternoons too sometimes, but not as regularly scheduled!) best of luck to you. I hope you're doing okay.

 

[painesgrey]

I read through your post and I commend you for the amount of time and money you've put into giving these birds a great living environment.

But, you didn't say much about how much time you're actually spending with them. How much one-on-one time are these birds getting a day? How much time are you spending in their room with them? How much time a day would you say they're able to be a part of the household, not secluded in a room?

 

[MauiWendy]

Another thought- the Harrison's High Potency is usually for birds that have special needs, are breeding, etc. At least that's my understanding. That and giving them nutritional powder (what kind is it?) they might be getting too much vitamins? I would maybe stop the nutritional powder and switch pellets to see if it makes a difference. @Birdbabe ? @enigma? @Hankmacaw ? Do you agree or am I off?

I was thinking the same thing. Try a different pellet like TOPS or the one from BirdTricks.com, which is similar to tops and less expensive but very good. Keoki eat these. Harrison high potency is for the first year and as mentioned above.

 

[Hankmacaw]

What is the nutritional supplement that you are providing? It sounds as if your birds are on an excellent diet. Harrison's high potency is for conures and macaws. If they are eating it, keep them on it - there isn't a better pellet out there. Very. very rarely does a bird on a decent diet nee any kind of supplement - unless they are ill. Try taking the supplement out of their diet.

I'm no bird behaviorist, so I will let others give advice on that aspect.
I just want to assure you that you are in the wrong place to find this.

And, please, be nice. Do not bully me. I have nothing but pure love for my birds. The last thing I need is some entitled bird owner who thinks they are an avian specialist just because they have a cockatoo that doesn’t pluck itself telling me how much I suck at being a bird owner and should rehome my birds. Rehoming is not an option, and it would be hard to find a home that has even more space and love and stimuli for them than we provide for them.

 

[SunUp]

Pam Clark does consults via zoom. Very affordable and the questionnaire is very thorough. The follow ups have changed frequency, but they happen for a couple of months. We haven't had our appointment yet, but I will leave some information here for you if you want it.

I'm sorry about your situation. It's heartbreaking to see you have so much of yourself invested in their wellbeing and how devastating it is that they are unhappy.

I second the idea of consulting Pamela Clark. I know she's been very helpful to many parrots and their people.

 

[Hankmacaw]

HIGH POTENCY FINE

Cockatiel, Quaker, Lovebird, Conure, Lory, Dove, Pigeon, Myhah, small pellet,

store.harrisonsbirdfoods.com

Harrison's High Potency Course
Year-round formula for all medium to large parrots, especially African greys, cockatoos, large conures, eclectus, macaws and pionus. Other species may be switched to Adult Lifetime Formula after a 6 month conversion period.

Harrison's High Potency Fine
Year-round formula for conures, lories, quakers, cockatiels, lovebirds, doves and other small to medium parrots.

PS - I don't like TOPs at all it is not a complete bird food. And it stinks to high heaven.

 

[MauiWendy]

HIGH POTENCY FINE

Cockatiel, Quaker, Lovebird, Conure, Lory, Dove, Pigeon, Myhah, small pellet,

store.harrisonsbirdfoods.com

Harrison's High Potency Course
Year-round formula for all medium to large parrots, especially African greys, cockatoos, large conures, eclectus, macaws and pionus. Other species may be switched to Adult Lifetime Formula after a 6 month conversion period.

Harrison's High Potency Fine
Year-round formula for conures, lories, quakers, cockatiels, lovebirds, doves and other small to medium parrots.

PS - I don't like TOPs at all it is not a complete bird food. And it stinks to high heaven.

I have to disagree, I think TOPS smells great, its organic, GMO free and cold-pressed. All bird pellets need to be substituted with fresh veggies, fruit. No one should just feed pellets. Also, Harrison's is not a good food for parrotlet's and other small parrots.

 

[Mizzely]

I have to disagree, I think TOPS smells great, its organic, GMO free and cold-pressed. All bird pellets need to be substituted with fresh veggies, fruit. No one should just feed pellets. Also, Harrison's is not a good food for parrotlet's and other small parrots.

It's not complete because it doesn't contain Vitamin D3 (which is why I won't use them either). You are correct that no one should feed just pellets. Making the change from Harrison's to TOPS l'll wager would make little impact in the screaming, though.

 

[MauiWendy]

It's not complete because it doesn't contain Vitamin D3 (which is why I won't use them either). You are correct that no one should feed just pellets. Making the change from Harrison's to TOPS l'll wager would make little impact in the screaming, though.

I still respectfully disagree, Vit D in tops pellets and birdtriks pellets is naturally in plants like Alfalfa and seaweed. From this natural form of the Vitamin D the body can absorb as much as it needs. Harrison's is not good for smaller parrots, like parrotlet's and their kidneys. I had to take Kiwi (parrotlet) off harrisons because of this. I am going to do more research though but here is a good article on Vit D Why Your Parrot Needs Vitamin D