He isn't in a small cage he is allowed to fly around the house, but he can't because he plucks his flight feather and tail feather.
He has a balance deit of fruit & veg and a few seed, he has been doing it seen we got him over 7years ago.
has anyone got anyideas?
2006-09-13 23:50:41 · 27 answers · asked by fred_com_me 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
the cage is full of toys to play with. he did have a mate as we thought this would stop him from plucking but it didn't he died about 3 years ago (it was our vet fault she did have a clue about bird. ) we have had him since he was 3 month old.
2006-09-14 00:03:57 · update #1
There are lots of possible reasons, some of which have been already stated.
First thing to do is get him to an AVIAN vet. Most vets have little experience with parrots and a good avian vet is well worth the extra travelling time. Their fees should be similar to a normal vet.
You need to check for psitticosis (pronounced sitty cose iss, probably spelt wrongly) This is quite common in parrots and can be passed onto humans, so it is a priority to get this checked out.
Assuming he is clear, the second most likely cause is irritants in the air, tobacco smoke and air-freshioners are common causes.
Have a look at http://www.safehavenparrotrefuge.co.uk/ for other hints and tips. Some of the staff there will help via e-mail.
Plucking can be habitual so it can be a long term problem.
2006-09-14 00:11:46 · answer #1 · answered by dave 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You have a feather plucker on your hands. That is a very hard thing to curtail. Most never stop this behavior and continue it's whole life. But there is a few tricks you can try. You can obtain an Elizabethan color from your Vet or at Dr. Fosters on line. You may try a non toxic bitter tasting spray on him.
But often if the bird was not previously a plucker, you may have changed him somehow which in birds is very common, as they get anxious with change. Maybe moved his cage, purchased a new piece of furniture. Hung a new toy? Changed foods?
Here's some info on the subject:
http://www.allbirdproducts.com/articles/health/featherpluck.html
and:
http://www.plannedparrothood.com/articles/featherplucking.html
Also, try typing in Feather Plucking on your computer, there are tons of info on this subject. Also Bird talk is a WONDERFUL source of information.
2006-09-14 10:43:39 · answer #2 · answered by cantrellpets 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe plucking is a sign of boredom and stress.
Is there a particular time he does it? which could help you pin point why?
You need to keep big birds like these active and stimulated, or this is what happens, as they are so smart they are always thinking and wanting to do something.
give him new toys or a mirror, but it would be best if you could play with him as often as possible.
An idea would be to teach him new tricks and reward him with food, this way you have his undevided attention and you are stimulating his mind to learn new things.
Seems he has been doing it for so long i suggest you contact a professional to help you as this will be very difficult to stop.
Good luck
2006-09-14 07:10:34 · answer #3 · answered by Krystle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Plucking feathers is a sign of distress in birds, something is not right, did you have him from very young? If not it can be very hard for them to adjust as they are "1 master pets" and their owner is as good as their partner and they find it hard to adjust. Its important to provide plenty of mental stimulation for parrots as they are a clever bird and simply get bored very easiely. IF IT PERSISTS YOU MUST SEEK HELP FROM A PERSON THAT KNOWS THESE BIRDS WELL, PLUCKING IS A VERY BAD SIGN.
2006-09-14 06:56:51 · answer #4 · answered by Jenny O 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i had that with my first grey he died then we bought a baby she started doing it so i stopped giving her peanuts changed her seed to a fruit seed and gave her new toys with ropes and wooden bits on and changed them round weekly also gave her xtra vital seed complete diet. spray her,give her daily vitamins and she stopped some one said she could have had a bad moult but if yours has been doing it for a while its probably not that hope you resolve the problem i know its upsetting dont give up good luck also my first grey i think was wild you couldnt touch him but this ones fine
2006-09-14 11:35:23 · answer #5 · answered by ishy2002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its like 'biting your nails' - probably developed as a habit of frustration - be honest - if you were a bird that can get out its cage for a fly around a room occasionally how much would that satisfy your innate need to be flying freely!
(Self destructive behaviour is not only the province of Homa Sapiens...and captivity is psychologically damaging for ANY living thing - even a reasonably 'benign' captivity)
2006-09-14 06:53:49 · answer #6 · answered by helmut cheez 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I was told by a breeder that my parrot did it because of the sunflower seeds.
Technically they dont eat sunflower seeds in the wild. I was told to sprout the sunflower seeds or to give them mungbeans and alphalpha rather. My parrot never had any dried seeds and he stopped plucking. Try doing that, only fresh fruit, veg, berries and sprouts.
2006-09-14 07:08:32 · answer #7 · answered by MissBehave 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Plucking is symptomatic of stress/boredom or mites
Does he have plenty of destructible toys in his cage that he can pull apart? - It sounds as if he needs distracting
I'm not sure, but I think you can get a bad tasting preparation to put on his feathers to discourage him also
2006-09-14 06:57:43 · answer #8 · answered by trebs 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've always heard because it is bored. It needs a mate. Maybe he has allergies. Or a disease. Go to a recommended vet and get him checked out.
2006-09-14 07:09:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Parrots - Research & Information
http://www.parrot-link.co.uk/research.htm
2006-09-14 06:59:13 · answer #10 · answered by Kangkid 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋