| Feather Plucking - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| Lee |
Hi all.
I'm sure this has probably been asked several times before, but I have
done a search of this newsgroup and didn't come up with anything.
I have a maroon bellied conure which strips her feathers from her
legs, back, and belly (basically wherever she could reach). I've
considered the idea of nutrition, the fact that it may be a normal female
thing to do at some point in their maturity etc, but it seems to have
become habit now and there's actually no real point to it that I can see.
There's plenty for them to do in the cage, she's a happy bird, loves me,
and seems to have no other reason to pluck other than it's something to do
(despite that there is plenty to occupy them already - toys, food treats
etc). She's not eating the feathers (just pulls and drops them), so there
doesn't seem to be a deficiency issue.
Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.
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| dkrug |
Lee wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> I'm sure this has probably been asked several times before, but I have
> done a search of this newsgroup and didn't come up with anything.
>
> I have a maroon bellied conure which strips her feathers from her
> legs, back, and belly (basically wherever she could reach). I've
> considered the idea of nutrition, the fact that it may be a normal female
> thing to do at some point in their maturity etc, but it seems to have
> become habit now and there's actually no real point to it that I can see.
>
> There's plenty for them to do in the cage, she's a happy bird, loves me,
> and seems to have no other reason to pluck other than it's something to do
> (despite that there is plenty to occupy them already - toys, food treats
> etc). She's not eating the feathers (just pulls and drops them), so there
> doesn't seem to be a deficiency issue.
>
> Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.
Feather plucking can be very difficult to deal with. The first thing I
would do is have the bird checked by a Veterinarian to rule out any
possible medical conditions. My U2 was plucking some feathers out and
was acting very agitated when she did this. We also noticed she had bad
breath. A trip to the Vet determined she had a yeast infection. With
treatment she stopped almost all plucking. I think it can become a bad
habit and be very difficult to stop. The following sites have some
interesting reading.
http://www.quakerparrots.com/qms/pluckingarticle.htm
http://www.featherpicking.com/
Debbie, Dusty(CAG) and Casperella(U2)
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| Phil D. |
On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 11:18:12 +1300, Lee <notspecified@anon.com> wrote:
>Hi all.
>
>I'm sure this has probably been asked several times before, but I have
>done a search of this newsgroup and didn't come up with anything.
>
>I have a maroon bellied conure which strips her feathers from her
>legs, back, and belly (basically wherever she could reach). I've
>considered the idea of nutrition, the fact that it may be a normal female
>thing to do at some point in their maturity etc, but it seems to have
>become habit now and there's actually no real point to it that I can see.
>
>There's plenty for them to do in the cage, she's a happy bird, loves me,
>and seems to have no other reason to pluck other than it's something to do
>(despite that there is plenty to occupy them already - toys, food treats
>etc). She's not eating the feathers (just pulls and drops them), so there
>doesn't seem to be a deficiency issue.
>
>Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.
Intelligent birds can suffer from the same mental illnesses that
humans can. Your bird might be manic-depressive or
obsessive-compulsive - parrots also apparently respond well to the
same antidepressants and tranquilizers as mentally ill humans.
I believe that there actually are bird psychiatrists - maybe you
should ask your vet for a referral?
On the other hand, she might just be lonely for another of her kind.
Or want sex.
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| Lee |
On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 22:32:32 +0000, Phil D. wrote:
> On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 11:18:12 +1300, Lee <notspecified@anon.com> wrote:
>
>>Hi all.
>>
>>I'm sure this has probably been asked several times before, but I have
>>done a search of this newsgroup and didn't come up with anything.
>>
>>I have a maroon bellied conure which strips her feathers from her
>>legs, back, and belly (basically wherever she could reach). I've
>>considered the idea of nutrition, the fact that it may be a normal female
>>thing to do at some point in their maturity etc, but it seems to have
>>become habit now and there's actually no real point to it that I can see.
>>
>>There's plenty for them to do in the cage, she's a happy bird, loves me,
>>and seems to have no other reason to pluck other than it's something to do
>>(despite that there is plenty to occupy them already - toys, food treats
>>etc). She's not eating the feathers (just pulls and drops them), so there
>>doesn't seem to be a deficiency issue.
>>
>>Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.
>
> Intelligent birds can suffer from the same mental illnesses that
> humans can. Your bird might be manic-depressive or
> obsessive-compulsive - parrots also apparently respond well to the
> same antidepressants and tranquilizers as mentally ill humans.
>
> I believe that there actually are bird psychiatrists - maybe you
> should ask your vet for a referral?
>
> On the other hand, she might just be lonely for another of her kind.
> Or want sex.
Thanks for that. It's given me additional things to think about.
Actually, she does have a mate, which may be part of the problem. It seems
to have started shortly after I got a mate for about 5 years ago. It's the
only think I can connect with why she might be doing it. She's got a new
mate now, but she's always been very close to me (although she's more
feisty now and I will be bitten occasionally - this behaviour seems to
have only started after getting her a mate, though I had been told once
she got a mate I'd be dumped altogether, so I am pleased that I am mostly
tolerated still).
Lee
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| Lee |
On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 17:30:22 -0500, dkrug wrote:
> Lee wrote:
>> Hi all.
>>
>> I'm sure this has probably been asked several times before, but I have
>> done a search of this newsgroup and didn't come up with anything.
>>
>> I have a maroon bellied conure which strips her feathers from her
>> legs, back, and belly (basically wherever she could reach). I've
>> considered the idea of nutrition, the fact that it may be a normal female
>> thing to do at some point in their maturity etc, but it seems to have
>> become habit now and there's actually no real point to it that I can see.
>>
>> There's plenty for them to do in the cage, she's a happy bird, loves me,
>> and seems to have no other reason to pluck other than it's something to do
>> (despite that there is plenty to occupy them already - toys, food treats
>> etc). She's not eating the feathers (just pulls and drops them), so there
>> doesn't seem to be a deficiency issue.
>>
>> Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.
>
>
> Feather plucking can be very difficult to deal with. The first thing I
> would do is have the bird checked by a Veterinarian to rule out any
> possible medical conditions. My U2 was plucking some feathers out and
> was acting very agitated when she did this. We also noticed she had bad
> breath. A trip to the Vet determined she had a yeast infection. With
> treatment she stopped almost all plucking. I think it can become a bad
> habit and be very difficult to stop. The following sites have some
> interesting reading.
> http://www.quakerparrots.com/qms/pluckingarticle.htm
> http://www.featherpicking.com/
> Debbie, Dusty(CAG) and Casperella(U2)
Many thanks, I'll check those out. Unfortunately she does it mostly when
I'm not around so I'm not too aware of what she's like when she's doing
it.
Interesting about your bird. By the way what type of bird is
U2/Casperella? A rosella or corella perhaps?
Lee
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| Phil D. |
On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 20:13:15 +1300, Lee <notspecified@anon.com> wrote:
>Thanks for that. It's given me additional things to think about.
>
>Actually, she does have a mate, which may be part of the problem. It seems
>to have started shortly after I got a mate for about 5 years ago. It's the
>only think I can connect with why she might be doing it. She's got a new
>mate now, but she's always been very close to me (although she's more
>feisty now and I will be bitten occasionally - this behaviour seems to
>have only started after getting her a mate, though I had been told once
>she got a mate I'd be dumped altogether, so I am pleased that I am mostly
>tolerated still).
Are you sure that she's actually doing all of the plucking herself?
Her mate may have a malicious streak and be hurting her. I used to
have a budgerigar who hurt his companions like that.
When I separated him, he started doing it to himself. The vet
prescribed him a benzodiazepine tranquilizer after everything else
failed (I had my doubts at the time) which pretty much stopped him
from doing it overnight. He became the sweetest, calmest bird you
could imagine afterwards...
Sometimes the drugs work.
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| Lee |
> Are you sure that she's actually doing all of the plucking herself?
> Her mate may have a malicious streak and be hurting her. I used to
> have a budgerigar who hurt his companions like that.
>
> When I separated him, he started doing it to himself. The vet
> prescribed him a benzodiazepine tranquilizer after everything else
> failed (I had my doubts at the time) which pretty much stopped him
> from doing it overnight. He became the sweetest, calmest bird you
> could imagine afterwards...
>
> Sometimes the drugs work.
Yes, definitely doing it to herself. I've seen her doing it, and it's all
in the places she can reach (belly, legs, under the wings, and a little
spot at the elbow on top of the wing etc). I wouldn't rule it out if she
was balding in other places though... for example the top of the head. But
thanks for the thought... it wasn't something I'd considered either.
I'm beginning to think that perhaps she just didn't like getting a
partner. Actually the first one she had was a baby. She used to beat him
up, and the tables turned when he got bigger. I can't be sure but it may
be related to that.
She's definitely a very intelligent for such a wee bird. Get this, I
trained her to lay on her back in my hand... I'll put my finger out within
reach for her to grab and right herself. I think most birds are
uncomfortable on their backs and will either turn over immediately or
will reach right out and climb back up as they're uncomfortable on their
backs. I taught her to wait for the verbal command "Up". She won't move
until I say the word. Cute eh?
By the way, where were the other birds being plucked by that wee guy? On
the head and tail etc?
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| dkrug |
>
>
> Many thanks, I'll check those out. Unfortunately she does it mostly when
> I'm not around so I'm not too aware of what she's like when she's doing
> it.
>
> Interesting about your bird. By the way what type of bird is
> U2/Casperella? A rosella or corella perhaps?
>
> Lee
Casperella is an Umbrella cockatoo.
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| Phil D. |
On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 22:57:00 +1300, Lee <notspecified@anon.com> wrote:
>Yes, definitely doing it to herself. I've seen her doing it, and it's all
>in the places she can reach (belly, legs, under the wings, and a little
>spot at the elbow on top of the wing etc). I wouldn't rule it out if she
>was balding in other places though... for example the top of the head. But
>thanks for the thought... it wasn't something I'd considered either.
>
>I'm beginning to think that perhaps she just didn't like getting a
>partner. Actually the first one she had was a baby. She used to beat him
>up, and the tables turned when he got bigger. I can't be sure but it may
>be related to that.
Maybe he's rejected her because of this and she feels depressed?
>She's definitely a very intelligent for such a wee bird. Get this, I
>trained her to lay on her back in my hand... I'll put my finger out within
>reach for her to grab and right herself. I think most birds are
>uncomfortable on their backs and will either turn over immediately or
>will reach right out and climb back up as they're uncomfortable on their
>backs. I taught her to wait for the verbal command "Up". She won't move
>until I say the word. Cute eh?
Heh - one of my budgies likes to lie on his back and have his tummy
tickled... ;)
If you immobilize the wings of a bird and turn it onto it's back, they
immediately become docile and stop struggling with you. It's a really
good tip for large parrots when you need to handle them. I've handled
the largest of gulls, chickens and geese in the past and the exact
same thing works with them.
>By the way, where were the other birds being plucked by that wee guy? On
>the head and tail etc?
He liked to pull wing and tail feathers, as well as pulling at the
ones on the face too. It wasn't just rival cocks either - even his
mates got the same treatment. At the time, I felt really bad at the
thought of having him medicated, but it really made a difference to
him...
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| toucanldy@aol.com |
Lee wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> I'm sure this has probably been asked several times before, but I
have
> done a search of this newsgroup and didn't come up with anything.
>
> I have a maroon bellied conure which strips her feathers from her
> legs, back, and belly (basically wherever she could reach). I've
> considered the idea of nutrition, the fact that it may be a normal
female
> thing to do at some point in their maturity etc, but it seems to have
> become habit now and there's actually no real point to it that I can
see.
This can be a sign of metal toxicity or giardia.
Regards
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| w.g.s.hamm |
"Lee" <notspecified@anon.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.03.15.22.18.12.197108@anon.com...
> Hi all.
>
> I'm sure this has probably been asked several times before, but I have
> done a search of this newsgroup and didn't come up with anything.
>
> I have a maroon bellied conure which strips her feathers from her
> legs, back, and belly (basically wherever she could reach). I've
> considered the idea of nutrition, the fact that it may be a normal female
> thing to do at some point in their maturity etc, but it seems to have
> become habit now and there's actually no real point to it that I can see.
>
> There's plenty for them to do in the cage, she's a happy bird, loves me,
> and seems to have no other reason to pluck other than it's something to do
> (despite that there is plenty to occupy them already - toys, food treats
> etc). She's not eating the feathers (just pulls and drops them), so there
> doesn't seem to be a deficiency issue.
>
> Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.
There is no *one* reason a bird plucks and if I could find a reason o a
cure I would be a rich woman.I would suggest a vet visit with some blood
testing to eliminate disease or anything else wrong. Once you know what it
*isn't* you can start eliminating other reasons.It can prove nigh on
impossible to stop the plucking once it starts.
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| w.g.s.hamm |
"Phil D." <no-one@home.here.now> wrote in message
news:7o8g31derpsuauphlq3pstu72odkp1ah2q@4ax.com...
>
> Heh - one of my budgies likes to lie on his back and have his tummy
> tickled... ;)
>
> If you immobilize the wings of a bird and turn it onto it's back, they
> immediately become docile and stop struggling with you.
I would *love* to see you demonstrating this with my bfa. I would stand by
with the first aid kit.
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| Phil D. |
On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 14:58:34 -0000, "w.g.s.hamm"
<fenlandfowl@talktalk.net> wrote:
>
>"Phil D." <no-one@home.here.now> wrote in message
>news:7o8g31derpsuauphlq3pstu72odkp1ah2q@4ax.com...
>>
>> Heh - one of my budgies likes to lie on his back and have his tummy
>> tickled... ;)
>>
>> If you immobilize the wings of a bird and turn it onto it's back, they
>> immediately become docile and stop struggling with you.
>
> I would *love* to see you demonstrating this with my bfa. I would stand by
>with the first aid kit.
Heh - I never said that it wouldn't be prudent to wear leather gloves
with large birds. ;)
Then again, I did once pick up an injured (and very angry with a
sharp, serrated beak) great black-backed gull with bare hands and
escaped with nothing more than a couple of scratches following my
method...
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| Dreamspinner3 |
Feather plucking is a very complex problem that can stem from many causes.
The first thing you should do with a feather-plucking bird is take it to a
qualified avain vet to make sure it is healthy and to rule out any medical
causes for the plucking.
Have you had you bird checked by an avian vet yet? If so, what kind of test
results & such did you get?
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| Lee |
> There is no *one* reason a bird plucks and if I could find a reason o a
> cure I would be a rich woman.I would suggest a vet visit with some blood
> testing to eliminate disease or anything else wrong. Once you know what
> it *isn't* you can start eliminating other reasons.It can prove nigh on
> impossible to stop the plucking once it starts.
Thanks... yes that is on the agenda. First I need to find a good avian vet
in Auckland. I used to live in Christchurch, and I knew of a specialist
bird vet there, but don't know of any up here.
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| Z.Q. |
"w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowl@talktalk.net> wrote in message
news:zJXZd.324$CF.22017@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
>
> "Phil D." <no-one@home.here.now> wrote in message
> news:7o8g31derpsuauphlq3pstu72odkp1ah2q@4ax.com...
>>
>> Heh - one of my budgies likes to lie on his back and have his tummy
>> tickled... ;)
>>
>> If you immobilize the wings of a bird and turn it onto it's back, they
>> immediately become docile and stop struggling with you.
>
> I would *love* to see you demonstrating this with my bfa. I would stand by
> with the first aid kit.
>
>
>
>
>
I'd like to see him try with my bfa too. But I'd leave him on his own
regarding the medical attention he'd need.
ZQ
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| w.g.s.hamm |
"Z.Q." <atrinity@one-two-three.com> wrote in message
news:1111085528.752de685591a44be9767445ff3184e13@teranews...
>
> "w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowl@talktalk.net> wrote in message
> news:zJXZd.324$CF.22017@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
> >
> > "Phil D." <no-one@home.here.now> wrote in message
> > news:7o8g31derpsuauphlq3pstu72odkp1ah2q@4ax.com...
> >>
> >> Heh - one of my budgies likes to lie on his back and have his tummy
> >> tickled... ;)
> >>
> >> If you immobilize the wings of a bird and turn it onto it's back, they
> >> immediately become docile and stop struggling with you.
> >
> > I would *love* to see you demonstrating this with my bfa. I would stand
by
> > with the first aid kit.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> I'd like to see him try with my bfa too. But I'd leave him on his own
> regarding the medical attention he'd need.
Yebbut thats cos you are a heartless git, and *I* am a warm compassionate
maternal woman :0))
Besides, I need the bandages cos I don'r want 'im bleedin' all over me
bird!
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| Paladin |
On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 11:18:12 +1300, Lee <notspecified@anon.com> wrote:
>Hi all.
>
>I'm sure this has probably been asked several times before, but I have
>done a search of this newsgroup and didn't come up with anything.
>
>I have a maroon bellied conure which strips her feathers from her
>legs, back, and belly (basically wherever she could reach). I've
>considered the idea of nutrition, the fact that it may be a normal female
>thing to do at some point in their maturity etc, but it seems to have
>become habit now and there's actually no real point to it that I can see.
>
>There's plenty for them to do in the cage, she's a happy bird, loves me,
>and seems to have no other reason to pluck other than it's something to do
>(despite that there is plenty to occupy them already - toys, food treats
>etc). She's not eating the feathers (just pulls and drops them), so there
>doesn't seem to be a deficiency issue.
>
>Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.
One thing that's worth a try (and is certainly safe enough) is a daily
misting with Aloe juice.......the same that is sold in health food
stores for human ingestion. A well known avian vet here on the U.S.
East Coast mentioned it when we asked for possble remedies.
We've had limited success with this treatment on our African Grey.
You have nothing to lose.....except the price of the Aloe juice.
: - )
PALADIN
In God We Trust - Screw the ACLU!
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