Getting out the ole dye bottle again to cover up the gray hairs this little guy has brought out! We were sitting together last evening playing and cuddling when all of a sudden he decides to take a flying leap hitting the corner of the coffee table with his collar on the way down. He hit so hard the collar popped off. Thank God he wasn't hurt. This thing is impossible for one person to put back on, and since all of his breast feathers have grown back in I decided there was no reason to run right over to the vet to have it put back on. Lots of little white downy feathers on the cage floor, but I figured that was because of the collar being on so long that when he started to preen they just came out.
I was almost afraid to check on him this morning....praying there were no pretty pink feathers on the cage floor. Nope, not a one! YAAAAY. I opened the cage door and he immediately ran over and put his head down for a good scratching all over....this lasted for about 5 minutes. I took his bowls out and reached over to him to see if he wanted more scratches but this time he freaked out and leaped across the cage getting his wing stuck between the bars and broke several blood feathers! UGH!!! Now I had to catch and towel him in order to pull them out - poor baby was screaming the whole time. As you all can imagine, this is not an easy task for one person to do, plus trying to keep his head covered so he can't see who's doing this to him....yeah, right, like he doesn't know! This is not a good way to start the morning! After he calmed down I put him back in his cage. When my granddaughter came in he immediately ran over to her and stepped right up as if nothing had happened. I guess he forgave me for his ordeal since he allowed me to scratch his head and kiss him while he was on her shoulder. As far as getting the collar put back on, it'll just be a waiting game to see if he starts plucking and chewing again, which I don't think he will do since he's not on Homeopet/Anxiety which was the culprit in the first place. I've had more problems with this little guy since he came into my life in Oct. then I could have ever imagined, but I wouldn't change one single moment with him. He is my special "wish" bird and we're in it for the long haul! The saga continues....

OMG Pat, to say she's keeping you hopping would be an understatement! It sounds like that collar saved her a bit though with that leap at the table. I have my fingers crossed that she leaves her beautiful feathers alone now.

Did you try the Chamomile tea with her?

No I haven't tried the tea but will give it a try. Do you just brew a regular strength cup of tea for his bowl or is it dilluted?

My Rosie takes crazy leaps like that also. Im amazed he hasnt broken something yet. I think they just might be edgy birds in general. My little guy has taught me great patience and has forced me to be more calm. If Im not, he bites the crap out of me! At least yours doesnt try to eat your fingers!!

I am so glad she is okay! And I will say a prayer that she leaves her feathers alone.

Poor guy! Fingers crossed that he leaves his pretty feathers alone!

I brew a cup as I regularly would and add it to their water dish. I do use 2 quart SS water dishes though! So if you use the typical, I think it's 30 oz. size dish, I would only add 1/2 of the tea to the water at a time.

Here's a excerpt from Land of Vos regarding Chamomile Tea:

Poor little guy! And poor you, too. <sigh> Guess nobody said it would be easy, did they? Sometimes you just feel like telling them, "come on, give me just one break"!