Basil

[Islandzoo]

Poor basil, we think she's had about 3 or 4 owners before us - we've heard from people we've met who have friends, who had basil before us and that kind of thing... We've had her about 2 years now. When we brought her home and I got her out, she attacked me, trevor wasn't home, in the end I had to shut her in a room because she got on my shoulder, wouldn't get off and tried to bite me in the face.<!--emo&:o--> http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif<!--endemo--> so that she didn't have my eyes out, I of course covered my face so she tore my hands to shreds instead. when I managed to get her off me I legged it out the room!!!
(the dado rail and sofa then got a battering....)
Anyway, My first reaction, was take her back. However I decided to keep with it, and tried again. Same thing happened.
Basil did seem to be ok with trevor however, and he had a way with her, by now me too scared to try again <!--emo&:ph34r:-->http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/ph34r.gif<!--endemo-->
To cut a long story short, she seemed to bond with Trevor pretty quickly and is sweet and cuddly to him, and will tolerate me when in the mood, and as long as I'm not alone with her. she is also ok when in her cage.
she screams a lot, and although we never clipped her, she was clipped in the past and now strips the feathers all off the quill so her primary flights are just sticks<!--emo&:(--> http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/sad.gif<!--endemo--> (will try and get photo but trevor doesnt like people seeing - think he worries people will think we're cruel to her)
And, she also chews her chest feathers, so they're all tatty and look like she's had a hair cut. <!--emo&:unsure:-->http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/unsure.gif<!--endemo-->
I met a lady on an email group, that happens to live near us and we met her and she said her friend had basil before us, and they took her back because she attacked her friend and the husband didn't really want a parrot. So, goodness knows how many times she's been brought back, she's 8 this year. I'm glad we didn't take her back, that would surely add to her problems.
She screams when we eat our dinner, because she wants some, and she won't stay on a stand - in the shop they allowed her to jump off and follow them everywhere.
She also throws her food on the floor every morning and forages amongst the poo for it later <!--emo&:blink:-->http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/blink.gif<!--endemo-->
She has been spoiled primarily I would say, and then turned into bit of a monster, and so rehomed which has increased the problem.
I'm not sure there's an answer, but wondered if anyone else encountered these kind of problems.
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[Shirley]

Hi Kristie,

First of all, Congratulations for taking Basil in and giving her such a loving home and a good chance where others have evidently failed! She only has her past to base her future upon, and each day is an opportunity for you and Trevor to build for her new beginnings. She can certainly improve and adjust and her behavior can be modified.

Remember, Dr. Cook's Mollucan Merlin was 7 and ferociously bit everyone when she rescued him! <!--emo&:freakout:-->http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/bof/yikes.gif<!--endemo--> She brought him around with patience, consistency, and clicker training. The simplest beginnings of clicker training works wonders in building trust and a good positive relationship between person and bird.

Do you have a grate above the floor of Basil's cage so she can't walk in the mess? And are the newspapers changed daily? It's completely natural for her to throw her food around. A cockatoo must be a cockatoo!

And, you and she are one flock together, so you of course are expected to eat together in her world... so feed her when you eat dinner. When possible, feed her some of what you are eating: example, baked sweet potatoes, bits of unsalted meat, unsalted vegetables, bit of bread, etc etc. Not as a "reward" for screaming, but as her meal just before you sit down to the table.

Much more to share -- later. I'm sure others will also have help for you ---
~ Oh... and last for now, AVOID the bites -- praise the positive and avoid the bites. NO SHOULDER sitting for either of you is my serious advice.

Is she getting 12 hrs of dark, quiet, uninterrupted sleep each night?? This is very important for parrots.

What is her diet?

Feather picking is caused by so many things... and usually a combination of things physical and emotional... diet, sleep, environment, sometimes their health - blood chemistry/skin condition/has she had an avian vet feather-picker blood and skin work-up? Fecal exam?

[Islandzoo]

Thank you Shirley.

She does have a grill, and newspaper under, changed every other day usually. Oh she doesn't just throw her food on the floor, she pulls the dish out the ring it sits in and throws the whole lot on the floor. Never used to either..
Trevor usually feeds her when he gets home from work - in the Morning...
we do share some of our food with her. potato (we don't have sweet potato just normal ones) peas and the very occasional baked bean, and bread/ toast.
She's never been to vet though i keep nagging trevor to take her. We don't have an aviant vet, simply because there isn't one!! being on an Island is a pain - sure I could find one but would be over 100 miles away and very expensive ferry fare - I would pay, it's for Basil after all but it's not that easy if you knwo what I mean, and most vets like you to be registered with them. The breeder I got bob from does a monthly 'clinic' with her vet so you can see him, but it's over 200 miles away!!! and a 4+ hour drive.
I got the despatch note from Amazon today so my clicker training book will probably be here on on Monday.
Oh and her diet, is Zupreem natural pellets + fresh veg & fruit every day. (this fed first thing in the morning)
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[Jean]

Hi kristi,
I also think it is wonderful of you to keep him and give him a good home. <!--emo&:tighthug:-->http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/bof/tighthug.gif<!--endemo-->

No wonder why you are having a lot of agrression and behavior problems. Poor little guy has been shifted who knows where. No telling what and where he may of had bad treatment to cause this. That is most likely the case. <!--emo&:(-->http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/sad.gif<!--endemo-->

Shirley has given you some awesome advice, she has seen this work first hand. I believe it will work for you too.

May I suggest, giving him sweet potatoes, they are very high in vitamin A and it is usually a food they love to eat. We can all help you on his diet. I also suggest you change his paper daily to keep backteria from growing. "Good Luck"

I would also like to give you a link I find very informative about cockatoo agression. It may help you inderstand some of their natural traits displayed in our captive world.

http://www.parrothouse.com/sf4.html (http://www.parrothouse.com/sf4.html)

Here is also another link with a lot of information about birds and the importance of vitamin A

http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/vitamina.htm (http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/vitamina.htm)

I think with a lot of work, and dedication you and your hubby can do wonders to turn this behavior around. <!--emo&:tighthug:-->http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/bof/tighthug.gif<!--endemo-->
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[Islandzoo]

Hi Jean,

just going to take a look.
I do feel that we probably don't give basil the attention she needs.....its hard when you work full time. I could say if I'd known then what I know now.... (ie if I'd done my research in the first place, which I didn't - I saw basil and had to have)
BUT if we hadn't got Basil - who would've ?
I've heard of people being really cruel to biting birds. Ok so maybe we don't give her quite enough attention, but at least we do our best for her. but I suppose sometimes I feel guilty,...cos we don't get her out as much as we should But it is hard, and he does try (incidently she has a massive cage)

Off to look at that link now Jean. <!--emo&:wink:-->http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/wink.gif<!--endemo--> <!--emo&:blueflower:-->http://9.forumer.com/html/emoticons/bof/Blueflower.gif

[Jean]

Kristi, I would like to make a suggestion on another way you and Coco can get to know each other better. If you would take her to your bed and sit or lay on your side with a couple foot toys and treats. Watch her be herself and encourage her to interact with her toys and you. It may take a few times for her to feel at ease in there with you.

[Shirley]

:bestpost: *

[Jean]

:bestpost: You bet it is!!! Kristi is allowing us all the chance to help her little Coco, that needs to learn to trust our lovely Kristi. :heart:

[Islandzoo]

Helloooo Jean
that's basil by the way .......:D

[Jean]

I'm sorry, two many birds this late at night, !! I mean Basil!!

[Islandzoo]

That is OK - and thank you for the advice of course! :)

[amazing greys]

Kristie, Jean had a good point about playing on the bed. Basil will associate that fun time w/you and hopefully will open up more. Exersise is a wonderful outlet for agression!! Also, be the treat giver, and tons of positive reinforcement!! Also, consistancy helps!! Set your ground rules in your house and stick to them so she knows your boundaries. It seems in the past homes, no one really set/stuck by them, and has allowed her to do as she pleases not knowing what they want from her.

Just because you both work, doesn't mean you are cutting her short. Just include her in the stuff you are doing. If you or your hubby atleast spend an hour or 2 w/hands on interaction/one on one time, you should be giving her what she needs. Just make sure she has tons of play toys in her cage, expecially ones she can shred during the day.

Also, it may help to consult an avian behaviorist via email to help. http://www.thepoliteparrot.com/ I have know Michelle and has helped me w/our Too, so you can try to email her and see what she can help you with. She may be taking personal time off soon, but just send her an email at least.

hth (hope that helps)

[Jean]

Kristie, Jean had a good point about playing on the bed. Basil will associate that fun time w/you and hopefully will open up more. Exersise is a wonderful outlet for agression!! Also, be the treat giver, and tons of positive reinforcement!! Also, consistancy helps!! Set your ground rules in your house and stick to them so she knows your boundaries. It seems in the past homes, no one really set/stuck by them, and has allowed her to do as she pleases not knowing what they want from her.

Just because you both work, doesn't mean you are cutting her short. Just include her in the stuff you are doing. If you or your hubby atleast spend an hour or 2 w/hands on interaction/one on one time, you should be giving her what she needs. Just make sure she has tons of play toys in her cage, expecially ones she can shred during the day.

Also, it may help to consult an avian behaviorist via email to help. http://www.thepoliteparrot.com/ I have know Michelle and has helped me w/our Too, so you can try to email her and see what she can help you with. She may be taking personal time off soon, but just send her an email at least.

hth (hope that helps)


:bestpost: barb I want to commend you on your reply, it was outstanding!:wub: