OMG!!! Molting is killing me!

[kendrafitz]

Rosie has started a serious molt. It began a couple of weeks ago and has gotten progressively worse. When I say serious molt, I mean she is losing over 30 feathers a day (including small, medium, wing, tail and down feathers).

All this losing feathers and new feathers poking her every which way has turned Rosie into a seriously miserable girl. She is a screaming mess. If she can't see me, she screams. If she can see me, she screams. If she is on my shoulder, she screams in my ear. If she is blow drying (one of her favorite activities), she screams. You get the picture.

Normally dealing with this type of screaming is enough to make me want to run away. But this week the kids are home and Jef is working from home as usual. So three people are coming to see why I am not stopping the bird from screaming and complaining to me. Ugh. Throw in a stomach bug my son had and a horrible headache I have had for two days and I am ready to cry. (To her credit, the only day Rosie was quiet was when my son was sick. She can be an empathetic girl.)

I feel for her, but I am feeling really sorry for myself at the moment. Just super bad timing, it would have been easier to deal with if the kids were at school. She is less demanding when they aren't home. Ok, that is my rant. I apologize to anyone kind enough to still be reading my blubbering, self pity party. Sigh...

[spiritbird]

Aw poor you and Rosie. Just keep her spritzed and she may not feel so bad. You know a male Macaw mate would relieve her of all this misery!

[Lady]

Aww Kendra, hang in there. Ever think about ear plugs?? What about that herb or spray you wrote about to help keep her calm, is it not working with so many pinnies?

[plax]

Sorry about your plight with Rosie, Kendra. As maddening as it is, I'm sure that Rosie's discomfort and expression thereof will subside with time. And if your headache persists you may need to get it checked! I hope you feel better soon.

[Mare]

Aww..so sorry, missy :(. I love Alice's idea, pass out the earplugs! I have no advice about the heavy molt, except..this too, shall pass..hugs!!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

How about music? If she doesn't stop screaming to listen to the music turn it up until it drowns out the screaming. Good luck with the neighbours though. :th_smile:

[kendrafitz]

Thanks everyone! It was just a really bad day. Besides being miserable, Rosie is just really smart, which is can be an issue for me. She knows when everyone is home, I am basically her slave. If she screams, the whole house goes into an uproar, with the kids yelling for me to get her. Miss smartypants has caught on and it becomes very hard for me to do anything without her when everyone is home.

Dianne - she showers every day with me. Today she did her flap/shake get drenched thing, which she does once a week. Do you think I should spritz her in addition? I do have some aloe/water spray to bathe birds that don't shower. But I never had use for it since Rosie LOVES to shower. If a male macaw came in this house, the rest of the family would be leaving. LOL

Alice - earplugs are a great idea!! The drops stopped having much effect on Rosie. I just got AviCalm powder and started putting it in her water 2 days ago. I can't tell how well it's working b/c we spent the day out yesterday. She hasn't been screaming today, but that is bc I have had her with me constantly since everyone is home. So I guess I will be able to tell on Monday. Fingers crossed.

Jean-Pierre - we always have music or the tv on for her. When we leave we put her tv on the on demand station that plays pop country. Otherwise it's just whatever we have on. Lol, about the neighbors. We have newish neighbors that I have made comments about hearing Rosie. Since I am not crazy for them I don't really care. My closest neighbor, who I am good friends with is selling her house. Rosie's window faces their deck, so we will see how things go when the new people move in. Fingers crossed (again)