I am gone for 12 hours on Wednesday and Wednesdays only, which is only going to be like that for 2 months, but my parakeet gets so stressed out. I leave the TV on for him because He loves to watch it. He has plenty of toys, but when I come home there is aways a pile of feathers. He is always happy to see me and stays with me the rest of the night. I don't know what to do to stop it. My boyfriend even sits with him for about 2 hours.
2007-01-25 06:36:34 · 7 answers · asked by Mandie Moe 3 in Pets ➔ Birds
Mandie, I never heard of a parakeet plucking its feathers, or of a bird just plucking once a week. I would guess it plucks more often. It's a difficult problem to stop. First you need to check to see if there is a mite or other 'critter' problem. I'd say take it for a check up to an avian vet in your area. Try toys that it can preen on like feathers or mop-type toys that it can work on rather than its feathers. Can you take it to someone who has other birds to bird-sit on Wednesdays? or with you? You also might try giving him some millet (only when you leave). Birds usually love that and it should keep him busy. Good luck. All the best.
2007-01-25 10:05:35 · answer #1 · answered by Susan H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to tell you this but it is called "self mutilation syndrome". I had a Quaker parrakeet that went into it. I took her to so many specialist...nothing worked. Is very very hard to control. The best i could do was to watch my bird and make sure she didn't lose blood. I kept septic powder on hand to control the blood loss. It is very devastating. She eventually quit but not after she lost a lot of feathers. I tried as you have done, to provide toys, etc. She lived a very long time but without feathers. Eventually i got her a friend..but alas, the other bird got into the same syndrome. I lost both of my birds during Katrina.. Good luck with yours.
2007-01-25 07:58:33 · answer #2 · answered by Shar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your bird may need more greens in its diet and also try to get a cuttlebone. The dark green lettuce such as romaine is much better than iceberg which isn't too good for man or beast.
2007-01-25 07:49:32 · answer #3 · answered by mererose50 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usaly if a bird gets a mate they will stop likeing you.
try a cd rather then the tv. the TV might scare him .
2007-01-25 07:13:42 · answer #4 · answered by jackwalz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He wants to get out cause he/she is frustrated inside the cage let him out like once a day....
2007-01-25 09:18:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a mate for him to keep company as birds can be social animals
2007-01-25 06:49:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't stop it! I think I read in my local library that they are just cleaning themselves.
2007-01-25 09:04:29 · answer #7 · answered by Kristina M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋