My 4 year old cockatoo looses her feathers and look like a chick, stay indoors and eat whatever humans eat as well as seeds and apple
2006-11-23 16:31:04 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
In addition to the other answers (which were great, by the way!), your cockatoo needs more complete nutrition. She needs a variety of fruit and vegetables, which should be about 60-80% of her diet. NO avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, soda or alcoholic beverages. My cockatoo loves cheese (there seems to be a lot of disagreement on that one!), chicken, and scrambled eggs (made with a bit of milk). These foods will increase her protein intake, which she needs in order to grow new feathers.
2006-11-24 09:37:37 · answer #1 · answered by holey moley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a cockatoo that was rescued. It was found inside a cardboard box in a trash dumpster. She had 80 percent of her feathers missing and her top mandable (beak) was broken off, clearly indicating she was abused as she is deathly afraid of all men.
I took her to the vet to be tested for avian diseases and illnesses and I put her on a vitamin enriched diet. Cockatoos will pluck when stressed out. They will also pluck if there is not enough attention given to them from their owners.
I would allow your cockatoo to be out of its cage during the day when you are at home and have the bird in your sight. Cockatoos love to be able to walk on the top of their cages or sit on the door of the cage...gotta leave the door cracked open so if it wants it can go back inside to eat and drink. cockatoos also starve for affection and love to be held and petted.
The more attention you give your cockatoo, the less feather plucking will go on.
Good Luck :-)
2006-11-24 07:03:30 · answer #2 · answered by Debbie S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cockatoos and other members of the parrot family will pluck themselves bald when stressed. Its a hard habit to break. Cockatoos need a LOT of attention, more so than other birds. I am sure you are a very good owner, so dont feel guilty, but they are total attention hounds. In the wild they live in very social flock situations, so when they are in captivity they long for that. I would suggest finding a good avian vet. He or she may be able to provide you with some behaviour modification techniques to break the habit.
2006-11-23 23:43:56 · answer #3 · answered by sngcanary 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you cockatoo may be plucking. sometimes they only pick out the bigger feathers and leaving the white fluffy down fethers which could be why it looks like a chick.
it needs to go to a vet to make sure that there's no medical problem with it, once that's rule out, you can work on behavioural problem. Good luck.
2006-11-23 22:52:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if she is plucking them out a little, this might be normal grooming. sometimes birds pluck feathers to the point that they develop bald areas. This is a sign of stress, boredom or illness. Make sure the bird gets enough attention and stimulation. A bored & unhappy cockatoo is dangerous & destructive, to itself & others. Make sure you are spending enough time with the bird, and if that is not it, consult an avian vet.
2006-11-23 17:04:06 · answer #5 · answered by Jessica 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm no expert on birds, but maybe it's caused by stress or even distress. If she's adopted then maybe she misses her former owner(s). Birds can become very attached to another soul, be it dog, cat, person. Yes, CAT. Sometimes (or even more often) when a bird looses a mate (or owner) it may experience some level of shock and distress. Birds have been known to kill themselves over the loss of a mate. And that's not that rare. Nevertheless, I'd guess if it's going on it may be distress, the sort you will not be able to do anything about. Just let her hear your voice sweet and soft, and let her see your face frequently. Don't shout around her or fight with another person, it may be upsetting to her. Above all, give her time to adjust to you.
2016-05-22 21:37:21 · answer #6 · answered by Elaine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she looks like a chick, then are you saying she has no feathers?
She could be plucking them by the sounds of it. Definately take her to an avian vet if she has no feathers or is plucking them.
If she is only losing a few than its probably nothing to worry about.
2006-11-23 16:44:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All birds lose their feathers. New feathers push the old ones out. It is perfectly normal.
2006-11-26 16:25:46 · answer #8 · answered by karmor_22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She might be molting. But if you have a serious concern I would take her to a vet to have her checked out.
Good luck!
2006-11-23 16:39:54 · answer #9 · answered by Jusme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋