Well, it has officially been 3 months and lots of work with this little guy. Things are proceeding wonderfully as the biting has pretty much ended. The worst one was about 7 weeks ago when he bit my husband on the nose, not pretty. He was hard to read, unlike my RB2. He is adjusting to the sleep cage but I still have to towel him to get him in. I think that has cut down on his hormonal state. His diet is near perfect as the seed has been cut down to about 3 nutriberries per week and he finally started to eat nuts (almonds). Everything else he eats is pellet and cooked veggies with harrisons. He loves to play fetch and swing on my hand like a little monkey! The screaming is down to a dull roar. I think he is fitting in nicely and appears to be a happy boy. I went on vacation for 5 days and my husband did great with them, although I think Buff took it harder then Scarlett. He was so lonely he walked into the shower with my husband one morning! If you remember his "mom" passed away suddenly after raising him for 5 years, so that may have had an impact. He has been very sweet since my return. Lots of head scritches and swinging fun. He has stopped lifting his wing for petting, thank God. So all seems good!

One thing that mifs me about his behavior is that he pulls out tiny down feathers. Before I got him, he had pulled out his leg feathers, but that seems to have stopped. When he pulls the down feathers he places them gently on my hand. Is this normal? How can I get him to stop?

Are you sure Buff is a boy?

Bev

Yes, I had him sexed at the first avain appointment.

What a wonderful update. You have done so well with lil Buff Puff.

Thanks FA! He really has turned into a good bird. Very sweet and loving. I just hope I can figure out how to address his one little problem and all will be perfect!

As usual, I spoke too soon. Buff bit my hubs BAD yesterday. I don't understand why he just bites for what appears to be no reason. Hubs woke up and got them out of their sleep cages at the normal 7 am and let me sleep in. I woke at 9 and greeted everyone and got Buff off his cage and played a bit. I walked outside to the front porch with my coffee and put Buff on the couch with hubs. Sitting there watching a movie and Buff goes to "snuggle" with him by burrowing inbetween his arm and leg. Then, just latches on his arm and would not let go. By the time he let go, hubs had a severe puncture wound that you could see his tendons in his arm. It was about 3/4 inch deep. I do not understand why he bites him like this. I am thankful that he has never been agressive with me. My hubs has tried so hard to do the best for our birds and it is frustrating. I wish I had more info on his past. Maybe some abuse from a male? I'm clueless. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I am open to anything that would stop his agression toward the hubs.

Your poor hubby - I bet it really hurts. Did he have to get stitches? Surely some of the people here will have some ideas. Cleo does the same thing to my bro so she spends more time in her cage while he is here.

Last night no one got any sleep. Not sure why both birds were so restless but I finally put them in their big cages around 5:30 am instead of the regular 7-7:30 am. It has become VERY apparent that his is jealous of my husband. He tried every which way to get at him until he finally went to work. Even jumped off the couch to rush him while he was putting his shoes on. I have towels handy for just the occation since he refuses to step up to me when he is stalking his prey. He screamed the entire morning and since hubs left for work at 1:30 not a peep from him but cute sounds and singing. His agressive behavior is quite scarey. I've never dealt with anything like this with Scarlett. She would nip at hubs but Buff wants to cause damage. I must find a way to stop this behavior since it is escalating to a very dangerous level.

No CM, no stitches, although he probably should have had it debreved and stitched.

Had to take the hubs to the doctor as his bite was infected. He wants to get rid of him as this is his 3rd bad bite. I refuse to give up as he is a sweety to me. Trying new toy introductions and using Scarlett as an example that she is not fearful of any situation I put her in. It is already working as far as the sleep cage toweling. It is getting much easier.

I would appreciate any help to have this go more smoothly! Anyone? smile

Suzanne, why don't you start a thread in the Applied Behavior forum. Sounds like you need some individualized help ASAP.

Connie you may need to really have a sit down with your Hubby about cockatoo's. I would hate to see you re-home this little one because of aggression like this.He surely isn't alone and my Hubby is in your Hubby's shoes with our goffins Helen. She detests the site of him yet in the beginning he was the chosen one.I think most cockatoo's tend to choose a person and try to defend their person or keep others away...I really believe some take this to extreme.It can be decreased with work though and it will take work from both of you.Your Hubby is going to have to be on board with this. I really think the ABA could be an asset and agree some individual help is needed but it may not work if you are doing all the work and have your Hubby not wanting to participate or try to work on it as well.I really hope your hubby has a change of heart!

Dave has had many wounds from Helen but he doesn't give up easily.It's very hard on Dave with the cockatoo's because he comes and goes for many days so the relationship is very hard to build on.When he left for his first hitch at work is when she changed her preference to me instead of him.Now I am her chosen and it is very hard on the birds and Dave included.

Janny, sounds like the exact same situation here. Dale is gone alot and tons of changes for the little guy in such a short period of time. Had a long talk with the hubs and he is not going to make me get rid of him. He said he knows his limitations and to what kind of interaction he CAN have with Buff and is willing to except it. Buff isnt going anywhere. I love the little man too much! I'm glad my hubs had a change of heart. thank you all for your support!

SM, the relationship with your husband can be improved by increasing his value to Buff. The outcome will depend on what your husband is willing to put into this. Having a bird bite someone in the household is simply not acceptable and it can be changed but it does require work on everyone's part.

Bev

SM, dealing with similar situation here regarding my husband leaving for work. it's hard for them when their favorite leaves for long periods. they don't understand and feel abandoned. when the fave comes back they're a a little resentful. buff will get to understand you're the constant person and it will be ok as long as buff doesn't sense fear and anger from your husband when he is home.

I agree this can be worked on and changed to the two havign a respectful friendship. Dale may not be able to hold and sit with Buff but he can still interact with Buff which will help that grow immensely.

Dave can scrtich Helen's head when she is on her cage.When she is on her chair or if I am in the room forget it.Not gonna happen.He can dance with her and play that way and she mimics his every move.lol.They work on it steady but the fact is the Dave keeps leaving which really is hard on her.His leaves are extended and he is only home for 10 days a month so imagine that. He is pretty much a visitor here.Not allot to work with.

One thing that helped the attacks was I built a barracade that she can't walk past to get to the floor to chase and attack. It is 3 cut sheet of ranger board with two piano hinges. It fits snug up to the wall and has 3 sides to it so she can't get around or over it and has to remain on her cage if Dave is in the room.So it is like a little fence to keep her having freedom of the top of her cage and swings up there but also allowing safety for Dave.I lent my camera out but I will try and get a picture from my phone to show you what it looks like.When Dave isn't around it just folds away and I stick it in the closet.

Dave does give her all the good things when he is home but realistic....because of his long leaves it doesn't do much. I am the only constant that doesn't leave in her mind.I wish it was different because he really loved the cockatoo love she gave but until he is able to spend consistent time home I can't see it changing and we just accept it for what it is.

I am so glad Dale changed his mind.He deserves a pat on the back and huge hug. I know people can get hurt and say things they don't mean and this is likely one of those situations that can be worked on. So happy to hear!!!!!! Way to Go DALE!!!

I have no doubt that you and your hubby will work this out. You are both great parronts. I totally applaud your hubby for understanding and allowing Buff to stay.

Well thought I would check in...Buff hasn't severely bitten the hubs in a few months. The infected bite has healed and no problems since except a battle scar. We have some new people living in the house for a while (my nephew and his wife). He seems to love the attention he's getting from them since there is always someone around to sing and dance with him. They KNOW the rules with him and are very good about distance and no quick movements. Only had 2 screaming incidents in 2 1/2 weeks. We have come to the conclution he fears fire. He screams when we have steam or smoke coming off the stove. Hubs came out in a KISS tshirt a few weeks ago and it had flames on it and Dale had to go change for fear of him attacking! His previous owner must have been a terrible cook LMAO!!

I did notice today that he is picking at his wings on the top by the joint. Saw a little dried blood in the shower this morning. He is molting heavy and a little off (I think hormons may be playing a factor) as I have been bit several times in the last few weeks for no apparant reason other then overstimulation and the occational "love" look and pulls his feather fluff and offers it to me. Thank God he doesnt bit me like he does my hubs...just a nice beak print with a little blood. I am going tomorrow to get some aloe from the Earthfare and make him a mist as he seems SUPER itchy but unwilling to stay still enough for me to preen even if everyone is out of the house. Showering is wonderful and he loves it. Try to get him in at least every 2 days to run off some energy and help with his molt.

He is eating wonderfully. He gets his veggie mash with Harrisons high potency every morning and totally devours it! Then Zupreem pellets all natural with a tiny bit of Nutriphase Gold (which he dives in like a trooper too!). He is a great eater for sure.

Scarlett has finally excepted his presence but whats ZERO to do with him. She has gone back to all her old ways like searching for me in the house and her wonderful kissy noises. Hope all is well with everyones flock. I will keep you posted!

Harry our male RB2 bites also sometimes without a warning. He does however get mad if we go out for dinner and do not eat with the flock. He will bite when we come home if we get close to him.

Harry also will pick out little down feathers and new feathers coming in. He has a few bare places here and there but not naked. We have been putting Pluck No More in his water; it seems to help a little bit. Harry is very hyperactive compared to our perch potato RB2 Hannah.

Good update! I just had our GSC2 to the vet this week and she is an absolute pin cushion although she doesn't mess with the pinfeathers, it is obvious that they are "itchy or uncomfortable" to her. The vet mentioned that, in his experience, birds that eat very healthy diets tend to molt and replace feathers very quickly. Have you tried going from Harrison's High Potency to the Adult Lifetime Maintenance? It is not quite as rich.

Thanks Charlie! Scarlett is the pin cushion right now...poor girl and she hates showers. Go figure! Her and Buff could NOT be more opposite. I may try that next time we vet them, Charlie (Harrisons Adult) but they don't eat but maybe a teaspoon of the high potent in their morning veggie mash.

RB2's Mom..if the aloe spray doesnt help, I may give that a try. I have been putting apple cider vinegar in his water on occation too and have them both converted to bottled water (spoiled children!) You cant see the picked spots when he is dry so I think its just down feathers too. He has stopped the leg picking all together and I cant wait til he grows his "pants" back! LOL! Oh, and you haven't seen hyper til you get a G2!

Well that explains the feather loss around here! I have to vacuum, sweep and clean up feathers daily/hourly it seems lol. Under the Tiels it looks like a Tiel exploded sometimes lol. There are enough feathers to make a whole other bird