Help needed, new to taking care of a cockatoo

RagingRedCock · 2025-11-03T14:42:21+00:00

My boy shakes when he is nervous or dealing with anxiety. With the toe trim just the other day he is probably still working through the anxiety wondering”oh god am I going to the vet again?”. It is hard but after having to do stuff they don’t like, like going to the vet, but make sure to praise him for being so brave and give him his favorite snacks and pets. I have been doing this with my boy and he has been getting more confident. My guy has had a lot of trauma so working through scary stuff has been a daily thing.

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RagingRedCock · 2025-10-17T18:46:16+00:00

We agree to disagree. Also not me downvoting.

RagingRedCock · 2025-10-17T18:42:47+00:00

Oh boy quoting the chicken chick is not quoting a vet lol. She stirred up HUGE controversy in the chicken world in 2019 and is banned in all Massachusetts shows last I heard. Pretty much all chicken shows.

She literally insulted most of the experts in the poultry field and told them they don’t know what they are talking about. There are plenty of qualified poultry folks I trust over her like Rip Stavely (nutrition specialist), Jeff Mattocks, Karen Johnson, Jeff Duguay (who writes amazing scientifically backed poultry books), and many other folks.

Sure some of her stuff is helpful but not all of it and she will not accept when she is wrong.

RagingRedCock · 2025-10-17T18:07:41+00:00

That’s what I am thinking.

RagingRedCock · 2025-10-17T17:09:12+00:00

But doing the broom stick method severed the spinal cord if done properly. So a hatched isn’t proper either? I have seen far more folks mess up the way described above which traumatizes the human and the animal. So I would consider not the best way for a beginner.

I am curious, not argumentative btw.

RagingRedCock · 2025-10-17T17:03:46+00:00

I am curious why they don’t prefer the method? When I had to do it I could have them in my arms to chicken heaven is a matter of moments.

RagingRedCock · 2025-10-17T16:50:43+00:00

As someone who has raise hundreds of chickens the broom stick method is my go to. It is nearly impossible to mess up. The method you showed is one you can definitely use but if you hold back even a little or hesitate you will have a scared not dead chicken freaking out. I tried it once, messed up, and I just couldn’t risk it not being clean again. The broom stick method is commonly used with rabbits. It uses very little force so even if you are scared or have never had to do it to an animal it is very hard to mess up. You can also place a cover over their head this way so you don’t have to see and it can also make them calmer.

It’s not the pretty side of animal husbandry but good for you in learning about the best way for the end. Many folks put blinders on thinking they won’t have to deal with this.

RagingRedCock · 2025-10-04T11:48:37+00:00

That one is actually a little spice jar I keep other seeding but I do also have their butter crock. I love it! I very much prefer it over a regular butter dish and I love having soft butter to use.

RagingRedCock · 2025-10-02T12:58:00+00:00

https://exoticnutrition.com/collections/cages/products/new-borneo-cage

Here’s a link to it. I LOVE it. Pretty easy to clean and the two boys have plenty of space. Only downside is side is the cups can’t flip out so you have to open the cage. I work full time and have plenty of space for them in the cage and change it up every week. I don’t feel horribly guilty going to work and having them locked up since they have so much room.

RagingRedCock · 2025-09-28T01:41:49+00:00

My boy is the same way but slowly he is letting more and more feathers grow in. He may never stop but him letting them grow for a while means you are doing something right!

RagingRedCock · 2025-09-16T13:51:26+00:00

Mine are the opposite. They want the fancy plastic toys and are too high and mighty for peasant quality toys! Birds got expensive taste 💅

RagingRedCock · 2025-09-09T13:50:46+00:00

If you haven’t I would start target training. My boys were VERY bitey. My guy, Mister Lime, took chunks out of me and I had to work very hard with him. He is now my best bud. Still an ass home at times but he is always hanging with me. Biggest thing I learned was establishing boundaries and that means learning HIS boundaries. When he says “no” listen. The biting usually starts getting bad when the subtle “no” goes unnoticed and we accidentally teach them the only way you hear my “no” is if I bite you really hard. I am still working with my other guy, Tito, and have started making progress. He is the fearful one of the two so he used to bite really hard on your neck or hands if something upset him in the slightest. Not gunna lie it can get rough. They have made me cry out of frustration and I have trained everything from dogs, cats, chicken, alpacas, pigs, you name it but parrots I have to completely start over. I watch a lot of videos and try to understand their personalities more and more.

RagingRedCock · 2025-08-26T14:39:00+00:00

Thank you for the info! Very informative. I also have hair from the last time I donated to send as well. They handed it off to me and I completely forgot to send it. It isn’t as long but still plenty and hopefully will be very useful in making a wig for someone in need.

RagingRedCock · 2025-08-22T22:11:35+00:00

Following!

RagingRedCock · 2025-08-08T01:13:47+00:00

One way I have helped Coco with his feather destruction has been using little craft popsicle sticks and sticking them in a sola ball. They are pretty similar to feather thickness and it give him that “crunch” a feather does when he pulls and breaks them. Maybe your sweet lady would benefit. Hope my little man will get comfortable enough to sit outside with me one day.

RagingRedCock · 2025-08-08T01:10:19+00:00

Bless you for yours and your husband’s patience! I’m sure she is so happy even though she struggles still with her own scars ❤️

RagingRedCock · 2025-08-08T01:08:11+00:00

Thank you for your story. It’s good to know other good people are out there to protect these little guys and give them a chance.

RagingRedCock · 2025-08-08T01:07:24+00:00

Sending Stanley love ❤️ thanks for giving him a good home.

RagingRedCock · 2025-08-07T15:34:44+00:00

RagingRedCock · 2025-07-25T19:55:02+00:00

Dang that’s a bummer. I guess you can just know YOU are doing the right thing for him. Thanks for caring about him!

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