Just over a year ago my hubby Bryan and I adopted Norman, a 6 year old male CAG.
Since day one, he has not ceased to amaze us with his fantastic personality and vocabulary.He was however, what we referred to as ‘featherly challenged’. Apart from his head, Norman had chewed off most of his feathers.
We started straight away to establish a strict routine with him. It was not easy, but in a relatively short time it started to pay dividends. We were able to leave him for short periods of time with hardly, if any, feather destruction. However, several times, for no apparent reason, we would come home expecting all to be well, only to find Norm had chewed loads of feathers off. These times we so distressing for us. We took it so personally, and were convinced it was our fault 
.
Six weeks after we got him, we took him on the first of many holidays in our caravan. He took to it straight away! We bought him a travel cage to sleep in and a Pak O Bird carrier, so he can accompany us wherever we go, but still have his own space to eat and rest in. He and the Pak O Bird carrier sure do get a lot of attention when we are out and about!
Fourteen months down the line and Norm is a much happier contented chap. He can now be left on his own for a few hours each day, happy in the knowledge that he will not get stressed. The rest of the day is spent either on me or by me playing with his large collection of toys. Though like most kids, he actually prefers the boxes they come in!
He does still have episodes where he gets very stressed out, but these are few and far between and armed with camomile tea and honey, together with many distraction techniques, I am learning to get him (and me!) through these bad times. I have had a go at safehousing, but this proved detrimental to Norm, I am afraid he is destined, for now anyway, to be an only bird ……and doesn’t he just love it!
As for feathers? Well they come and go. For now anyway, more come than go…. I do my very best to keep this little guy happy and content and I now accept that occasionally he will have times where he destroys feathers but that it is no reflection on me or how I care for him. Norm calls his look ‘Shabby Chic’ and tells me it is quite fashionable!
Thanks to everyone at Birdline. The forum is fantastic and everyone’s advice and experience is invaluable. Also to Sheila and Jackie K and special thanks to Sharon H, a true friend......always on hand with help and advice and a box of Kleenex when necessary. I could not have done it without you!
To finish, here are some piccies of Norm.
December 08. Norm arrives........
Jan 2009 - Happy New Year! Butter wouldn't melt....would it??
Pak O Norm! - Norm off for his first holiday.
Pot o Norm
June 09 - Aaaahhhh! Norm's first voluntary bath.
G'day... Barbie anyone??? - Norm August 09
Happy Christmas 2009 - Norm munching gambas Christmas Eve!
Last Week! Norm away with us in Somerset - 'Helping' as usual...........
