Dh's dad is staying at a place where they have pet birds, i was really saddened the other day to see how pitiful their cockatoo was.

The guy has had birds for years, but talking to him it was clear that he had no real medical understanding. Poor bird got a bad crop, he didn't say whether it was bacterial or fungal; he at least took her to the vet, but i really think she needs to go back. My banties are far heavier than she was, that's how much weight she had dropped. Poor thing's crop was the size of a marble, that was it. Liquid poop. All huge red flags, i suggested some supplementation and i got blown off. I started talking about what i've done with chickens, how i've helped them with nursing; nope. "we had chickens for years, never had any get sick" Hmm. Well, that's a medical marvel since all critters get sick now and then, especially if you've had large numbers. All i know is i've seen that look in a birds eyes, that sad and desolate look that says they don't really want to make it. She is affectionat, too, like my cocoa was. Put her head in the crook of my neck. Part of her sadness is her original owner died, part of it is not being understood. She's plucking herself nearly bald, too. All red flags, either nutritional or emotional; i stated that the supplement her plumage and i get "all birds molt" For most of a year????! And the only grit i saw was sand, not nearly big enough to help her.
So long and short of it, i just am saddened and at a loss as to the idea of adopting out.
Most of the people that really know a lot about birds tend to know a lot about how much food to bring, how to house, but not how to understand them and when they need loved., or how to help them if they need it

It's one thing if you don't know what to do medically, we all get times we don't know. But to refuse help? To refuse to admit you don't know? That's what gets me angry, makes me sad.