Cage issue, Need your thoughts!?

Question

Hi my bird has been plucking feathers.
She lives in a large cage out side 6 ft high, 2 x 3 metres wide, This cage is based outside about 10 metres away from the house..
I think the feather plucking is from stress and boredom..

Would it stress her more if i bought a metre high cage and bought her inside sometimes?

Answer 1

There are different forms of feather mutilation which vary in magnitude from bird to bird. Feather plucking is when the birds completely remove the feather by pulling it out at the base of the shaft. Some birds will chew the feathers off a little bit at a time, never completely removing the feather. Repeated feather mutilation over a period of time can cause permanent follicle damage, thus preventing these feathers from ever returning. In severe cases the birds will self-mutilate soft tissue areas on their breasts, legs,and backs causing sores and bleeding. Tissue damage can be so extensive that the wounds never heal and these open sores become ideal breeding gound for bacterial infections. In the most tragic cases birds will self-mutilate until death occurs from bleeding.
So, what do you do if your bird begins to destroy it's feathers. The first thing you must do is to make an appointment with an Avian Certified Veterinarian for a complete check-up. Several medical conditions can cause a bird to feather mutilate. Giardia (an internal parasite), bacterial infections, improper wing clipping, and dry skin are a few medical conditions that can cause birds to feather pick. The check-up should include a CBC, vent & crop swabs, a Giardia test, Beak & Feather test. Often birds begin to feather pick because of medical conditions but, the behavior needs to be stopped before it becomes a habit.
You do not say what type of bird you have, so I'm going to assume you have some type of Parrot ?Distracting your bird may help slow down the feather picking. Fill your bird's cage with perches, and toys that can be preened and chewed. The goal is to *STUFF* the cage with so many toys that your bird can't decide which toy to destroy next. Put several natural whisk brooms in the cage. They are inexpensive and provide a texture that birds find appealing. Natural perches with bark offer an amusing distraction. Tie leather and sisal strips to the cage bars. Making sure pieces are short enough not to cause a safety hazard. Birds can become entangled in long pieces of leather or sisal. They pose too much of a risk of fraying and entangling a bird. Rope toys should only be given under direct supervision. Fraying pieces of a plastic milk jug are another inexpensive toy distraction. Attaching wireless clothespins to cage bars is another great way to stuff the cage.
Please do NOT place another bird into her cage if she is used to being on her own,at least untill you get the feather plucking under control. Doing so may have devastating effects for your bird.As an owner of birds, I urge you to seek a vets advice. Good luck, hope it all goes well.

Answer 2

she's prob'ly bored. I would think allowing her to come inside sometimes would spark her interest. Or some toys? If you get her another bird she will transfer all affection to the new bird and might get grouchy with humans. Does she have much human contact? My African Grey is in the house with me, and her cage is never closed.... but she sticks pretty close to it all day long. She plucks when she has nothing better to do. Usually a new, interesting toy does the trick.

Hope that helps...

Answer 3

The best solution is to get her a partner.
Do not try and alter her home as birds do not like change and this would stress her more.
The aviary she is in is large enough for two.
I presume that it is not a large parrot but a medium sized parakeet.
Try and introduce a friend as soon as possible. MOre hints and care sheets on my web site.

Answer 4

I dont think your bird is tame enough to bring inside this would just cause stress. Get toys suitable for the bird species. A mate is a good idea.

Answer 5

try talking 2 it