Question:
My pet parrot has started plucking its feathers for some reason, why?
russianboy66
2008-10-07 19:12:06 UTC
Recently I've noticed that both sides of my parrots wings are plucked a little not to bad but still. We bath him every week or two, he doesn't have any toys really to play with, and sometimes it is loud in the house, but we feed him well. sometimes we give him bread, and fruit. he also gets irrated now and then for unknown reasons, how can this all be?
Nine answers:
anonymous
2008-10-07 21:18:03 UTC
Feather picking/destruction can be/is caused by everything/anything. There are a lot of theories out there, but what works for one parrot won't work for the next five.



If you want to try to work on the problem, you first need to see an avian vet. Your bird, like all other companion animals should be seen by a vet every year for a health exam. If you go for a feather picking profile, you're looking at checking the blood which will tell you about infection, anemia, hydration. A gram stain will check the feces for yeast, bacteria. Oral and vent cultures will tell you about some common bird bacterial infections. A chemistry (chem 12) will tell you about organ function, uric acid levels, calcium, muscle. An Xray to look for things like possible metal ingestion, and liver size. And, depending on where you got your bird, and if you've never had one done, a psittacosis test. Where I work all that's around $250 (without the psittacosis test) and that's cheap.



After all that, you have to decide on a course of action. You can do doxycycline injections, hormone injections, supplements, bathing, none of which may not stop your bird from plucking.



I do recommend that everyone have their birds medically checked every year, and that would be the blood, poop, oral culture, and an Xray depending on the age of the bird. If there's a problem that shows up after these tests, you can proceed further. If you need an avian vet, try here: http://www.aav.org/lookup



You can try bathing it more often.



It must have toys, lots, and try rotating them.



It MUST have a minimum of ten hours each night of dark, undisturbed sleep. Most parrots live close to the Equator where the amounts of night and day are equal (twelve hours each), so that's the amount of sleep we need to give them in captivity, as well. Sleep deprivation can cause irritability, nervousness (sometimes associated with feather destruction) and illness.



Feeding parrots well is not giving them fruit and bread sometimes. They need a balanced diet just like we do. Depending on the species to be more specific, seeds should never make up more than 40% of the diet. Even my small lovebirds only get about 30% seed in their diet. They get, along with the big birds, sprouts, cooked beans, fresh fruits and vegetables (more veggies than fruit), nuts, and pellets.



I have two birds that came to me as pluckers. I know it's frustrating, and you wonder what you might be doing wrong, or not doing at all, when you can't get it under control. Over the years, I've learned that if a bird does a little plucking, and no harmful self-mutilation is happening, it's best not to stress over it too much. Parrots do pick up on those kinds of things--they can read us VERY well--and when we're stressed, it stresses them.



The best of luck to you.
Beth P
2008-10-07 19:21:17 UTC
Usually when they feather pluck that is a sign or sickness or more than likely boredom. Get parrot many toys. They love them and it keeps them busy. Also give more attention if possible. Leave a radio on or tv for them. Not loud just so they can hear it. I would give more attention, get some toys, not be so loud if can help it, Leave tv or radio on for him and make sure he gets proper nutrition which is pellets, seeds, fruits, veggies, not much bread not good for them unless it is a good multigrain and some treats. make sure he gets at least 10-12 hours of undisturbed sleep a night. If keeps up after that take to vets and check for mites and lice. Also check for other health problems that could lead to feather plucking. but 9 times out of 10 it is behavioral. Good luck.
featheredharmony
2008-10-07 20:40:21 UTC
Along with the answers provided by others, I have to agree, do go to see an avian vet, have a full blood panel done, your parrot could be low in vitamin K, something some feel is related to plucking. Another diet related issue can be allergies & studies are showing improvement switching to a rice pellet. Your AVIAN vet can explain how to make diet changes if warranted. Go ahead and remove peanuts from the diet now, they are causing more problems than good for any parrot.

Scheduled daily (clicker) training, can really enrich your relationship and give your parrot something to look forward to doing with you or another family member.
Bree
2008-10-07 19:20:16 UTC
This is because parrots are very socially demanding animals, and you aren't giving him the attention or mental stimulation he needs.



You can take him to a vet to see if it is a physical problem, but I recommend you buy him some new toys AND start spending more time with him first and see if that brings a change. Not just a toy or two, but several different things. Not just a minute, but several minutes several times a day, at least. Talk to him, pet him, play with his toys with him.



Think of it like having a child; feeding it and bathing it just does not cut it.
?
2008-10-07 21:16:07 UTC
You're joking right?????



He plucks & screams & you give him every reason to: no toys, not enough bathing & you say you feed him well but he only gets fruit every now & then. That doesn't sound like a good diet, what is his main diet? Parrots should be fed fresh fruit & veg every day as a large part of their diets.



Give the parrot toys, proper diet, daily bath, daily out of cage time with you.



What kind of parrot is he?
?
2016-09-07 10:07:28 UTC
Around five years historic appears to be the age of adulthood in such a lot distinct birds. When a feminine reaches adulthood she mechanically starts getting ready to elevate a loved ones. To do that she demands to put eggs and furnish warmth for them to be able to hatch. That is most often why she plucked out her chest feathers. I discovered this out while my cockatoo did this the primary time two years in the past and I took her to the vet. With the feathers long gone the feminine can get nearer and furnish extra frame warmth to the eggs. You being a lady aren't intriguing to her now - she needs a mate and I am definite your husband or son might acquire tons of affection and awareness from her in the event that they had been round her a lot. You will simply must wait till this month of breeding time is over due to the fact it's inbred and are not able to be modified. Then she is going to return to her candy self till subsequent time. As a ways as plucking at the wings - heck, I do not know.
anonymous
2008-10-07 19:19:07 UTC
First off, parrots need toys. They are intelligent creatures, they need things to do.



Birds are loud creatures. If you don't want them to be loud, don't get a bird.



Your bird needs to see an avian (bird) vet. There are TONS of different reasons why birds pluck out their feathers.



It can be caused from boredom, poor diet, heath issues, lack of sleep, poor molting, injured feathers, allergies, etc etc etc



http://www.avianweb.com/featherplucking.html
Ringo's
2008-10-07 22:02:23 UTC
(If you think this is a good way to take care of your parrot).



Then l say you need to do a lot more research on feeding, housing, and caring for your breed of parrot only a lot of research can make the best owner each breed is different. Their is a lot of got answers to help you here but l think a lot of people will agree you need to do a lot more to understand your pet parrot....
doris_38133
2008-10-07 20:55:02 UTC
They need a lot of attention. They are really smart and need simulation. Play close attention to your birds!!!


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