Ok so I went to take a look at a Local GW, great bird, getting a great home....(not me someone else)

But what I saw there sadden me beyond belief. This is where I could use some
moral support or tell me I'm am out of my mind.

There was this M2, male, he is plucked and alone. He use to have a mate and they were a successful breeding pair. I saw this bird over a year ago, at the breeders that let his life get out of control and the mate died. The lady that bought the breeding birds and there is ALOT of them from this guy did it as a rescue, maybe there is some money here but I saving the birds thing. (if you know what I mean) Anywho, by the time she got to them the M2, the mate was dead from starvation, (I think.) He was there in a cage alone, shaking and scared to death. Me being who I am, not afraid of much, took one look at this baby and said, I saw him last year and I know that bird is a pet. Well, me being me, ask if I could pet him, he let me. He would not step up, he clung to the perch for dear life. But he was there with me, letting me pet him and loving it. I gave him every opportunity to bite me, he didn't. He is a pet and I believe with work and some TLC he will make someone a wonderful bird, M2's being M2's and all.

Anywho, to make a long story long, I offered to work with this bird. She passed my comments off. Well, last night I got an email saying she would like me to try. What do you think? Now two things to know, this ain't my first rodeo by any means, I have rescued and rehabilitated many before, just not a breeder/M2 and he is plucked badly. I think that has to do with he lost his mate and he moved and he is scared to death.

Am I biting off more than I care to chew (M2 exbreeder) or out of my mind or am I just where this poor baby needs me to be?
__________________

I had a plucked and nuerotic rehomed M2 for 8 years. With me she thrived; got all of her feathers back, stopped tapping her poor little head 90% of her waking hours....
Then something changed in my house that I could not change back. My dad, her chosen one, got more sick then he had been - she started to revert back into her plucking screaming and tapping...
I once again changed her venue and she now lives with friends. I saw her last week in fact, she is FABULOUS! Fully feathered and seems happy.

I share this with you, because I think a change of venue and a new start in a caring home will give this bird a good chance. He may very well recover feathers (if not too damaged) and if he is loving... he has a good shot at a good life.

I also share this with you because I think once M2s start down this road, it is possible for them to stay in the "cycle" throughout their lives. Something changes, they revert, it takes another change of surroundings to help them again. So sad... such complex creatures. I have seen the same thing happen with more than just my personal experience... unfortunately, they tend to end up with several homes before they find permanant sanctuary; but fortunately a change of venue, within loving settings, tends to do them more good than harm.

Good luck with your decision. I hope whatever you decide, that this guy finds a home he can thrive in... at least for awhile.

Dana thank you.

My goal is NEVER to run a sanctuary. I would love to but time, money and commitment is not here. It's always been with me ONE BIRD AT A TIME!

I guess I need to hear from others that have success with M2/exbreeders. I have my own U2 and my own cockatoo scars for life. So that doesn't scare me. I would love to rehab. this baby and help him find his forever home.

BTW, hubby thinks I'm crazy for even thinking about this. I just can't get him off my mind. I prayed about it and told God, if it's to be you make it happen. Well, sure enough the lady emailed me, last night, in the middle of our call for The Bird Talks and ask me what I would charge to help this bird. I almost laughed right on the call! I told her Silly...I would be doing it for the poor baby and last time I check birds don't pay well. lol...anywho, thanks for all the help on this decision.

Ruby and I think you should be the new mate! Poor baby.

Tamaran, I have no 2 experience whatsoever to offer any advice. I just want to wish you the best of luck with this guy. Even if you're only able to help him adjust a little bit, he'll be all the better for it.

No Too experience here either, Tamaran. But it sounds to me like you're going into it with your eyes wide open, and you know there are no guarantees of success. He may respond, he may not, and if he does, who knows to what degree? He's been through quite a shake-up. I think you have a shot at enriching his life significantly though, and you know how rewarding that can be! We expect regular updates!

I thought about a FREE ebook called "Please Don't Throw Me Away Yet!"

Maybe I could help others!

What is really funny, (although my husband didn't think so) I stuck half my body, (top half) in his cage. I was an inch away from his face, he could have gone for my face, and I have had a U2 go for my face so I knew what I was doing, I have the scars to prove it, and he didn't. Not sure yet...but everything inside is telling me YES!

That is why I wanted to know about exbreeders - M2's

I don't have any Too experince,but can it be done,sure I don't see why not.It would be a lot of work and dedication on your part.Are you prepared to take time away from your current flock to give this fella? If Hubby isn't on board that can make it very hard too.You don't want to cause any conflicts there either.And if read this right you are just going to work with him,but he won't be yours,are you prepared for the heartbreak of him not being yours if you do help him? And on that thought process it could be hard rehabilitating him in the same home,will they follow your advice or undo all the work you do when you walk out the door? I know it is hard when you see a bird that needs you,trust me I have a few that I still think about. You have a hard decsion to make,I wish you the best either way.

No hubby is on board if I decide to do this. (He just hates it when I am soooo trusting of the birds and he has seen his wife lose half her lip from a LOVING U2)
And there are other parrots that I have had to turn away too. I have only taken in 1 rehab at a time, and all the others I have worked with, I have found forever homes for, that was the deal going into it.(I have my own flock and every other one takes away from my babies)
If I work with the parrot then I get to find him a forever home. So far so good. I say that knowing I can't tell the future....sad but true.
This would be the same case. Someone in NC has my last rescue, and I have mostly done rescues on macaws.

Time??? I worry about that one the most. With just getting The Bird Talks up and going...but hubby is handling ALOT!!! Hum....alot to think about?