why do cockateils do this??????????

Question

why is my bird pulling the feathers off of his chest?

Answer 1

It could be behavioral, nutritional, or medical.

Is there anything that could be stressing your bird out? Dog barking, cat staring at it, near a window, yelling (my friends cockatiel is fond of saying shut the f*&% up and Good morning A$$ Hole).

What are you feeding your bird? Seeds are nutrient deficient and cause numerous problems. If you do a 50/50 blend of seed and pellet with an offering of veggies daily, it should alleviate nutrition issues.

Does your bird get UVA/UVB lighting? Putting your bird near a window will not do this. Most window glass has a UVA/UVB filter that removes these rays becuase they are harmful to humans. They have to have a special bulb that gives off these rays to help them use vitamins. Sometimes this will stop plucking

Is there a mite issue? Is the skin irritated? Only a vet can diagnose.

There is a common disease that causes plucking in birds called Giardia. Your vet can test in the clinic for this and you will have an immediate answer and vaccine.

Consult certified bird experts like bird behaviorists and vets. Birds pluck for a number of reasons, but getting them to stop can be hard. When they pluck a feather, it causes a rush of adrenaline that alleviates pain and stress for them momentarily, it becomes a drug, and solving the cause doesn't cure the addiction.

Rule of thumb, for however much time the bird has been plucking, that's how long it will take to stop. This isn't always the case, but often times it is.

I strongly suggest looking at it from every angle and consulting your vet.

Answer 2

There's a difference between the feathers coming out and him pulling them out. If they're coming out on their own, that's a molt. (and it happens to be molt season for pretty much all the birds I know)

If he's pulling them out, then there's a much more serious issue at hand. There are tons of reasons he could be pulling his feathers out. Anxiety, fear, agression, depression...

What's changed in his life recently that could cause this to happen? Is there something near his cage that's got him in an uproar? Have you quit spending as much time with him?

I would step up the time you spend with him, I'd pay careful attention to what's in his environment that could be construed as scary to him - and remove that, and I'd make sure that he has plenty of toys in his cage. If you determine that he's feather plucking, stay away from preening toys like ropes and twine. Go with plastic or acrylic puzzle toys, and toys that have treats on them like hard corn cobs.

Answer 3

It could be lack of calcium and stuff, or boredom,

Try this,

Get him a calcium block/cuttle fish hang it in cage,

Also make sure he is getting enough fresh fruit and veg,

If it isnt to cold put him infront of a window during the day so he is getting natrual sun light,

Consider getting him some new toys, and getting him out and playing with him alot more than what you do,

Also any feathers its pulling out take off him straight away keep the cage free of any feathers,

Buy a bottle sprayer and give him a light spray with warm water everyday, Also consider getting some plumage stuff to add to water from your local pet store,

Oh yeh one more thing if he was moulting he WOULDNT be pulling his own feathers out, pulling your own feathers out is called plucking, moulting is when they fall out natrually to make ready for new ones!

Goodluck

Answer 4

It could be because hes molting and itchy but most likely hes very bored. Is its chest nearly bald? If so birds pluck their feathers when they are extremely bored. Its a VERY bad habit that can be stopped by gicving him more daily attention and getting him a few more new interactive toys.

Answer 5

plucking feathers out can be a sign of stress or boredom ?? maybe lonely ??

Answer 6

hes molting ,ask a pet store what to do, they have molting supplies its natuaral. they do need something cause i think they can pull the wrong feather and bleed to death.