her head is all fuffly and normal but then her body feathers are all tatty and she has been picking at her chest she is in a large aviary with two males one age of 7 years another age of 4 years and a female about 3 years she has constantly got fresh water and feed she is on the cockatiel mix no pellets but also she was a rescue bird she was handed on to me after being rescued from the jaws of a family puppy i really love my birds i NEED some help
2007-03-10 15:19:38 · 6 answers · asked by Hayley C 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
It sounds like one of the other birds or herself is picking her feathers. Cockatiels are bad feather pickers. Some of them will pluck all of their feathers and pluck the feathers of their chicks until they bleed. She might be under stress to breed. I would put her in her own cage for a while and watch to see if that helps her. If she is close to one of the males you might put the two of them together. Good luck.
2007-03-10 15:31:47 · answer #1 · answered by hillbilly_coon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh dear. I'm sorry to hear this has happened. Plucking in parrots is really hard to pinpoint, as there's so many factors involved.
The three biggest culprits that might be involved in your case includes Giardia (a parasite that causes birds to pluck under their wings but can be a body wide problem if bad), nutritional deficiencies, and perhaps even the other birds picking at her as she may be at the bottom of the flocks' pecking order.
The best thing to do in your case is add veggies to her diet if you don't already do that. Take her to the vet to see what may be causing her plucking, as Giardia can be controlled with medications. If she's at the bottom of the flock pecking order, try taking out the two oldest birds then re-introduce them to see if things tone down.
Good luck! I can tell you love your boogers dearly ^.^ .
2007-03-10 18:07:53 · answer #2 · answered by white_ravens_white_crows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be possible that maybe she is trying to molt in new feathers. That can take sometime and they could have a hard time with it. You could also try changing her food. Extruded food is probably the best for them from what my vet told me about my bird. You could also try letting her get alot of sunlight if she isnt getting enough. If she is picking her feathers you may need to try and seperate her from the other 2 males and see if that might make a difference.
2007-03-10 17:45:33 · answer #3 · answered by JoV 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh expensive. i'm sorry to take heed to this has took place. Plucking in parrots in all fairness difficult to pinpoint, as there is one in each of these super style of aspects in touch. the three the main suitable option culprits which would be drawn on your case is composed of Giardia (a parasite that motives birds to pluck under their wings yet would be a physique extensive project if undesirable), nutritional deficiencies, or maybe maybe different birds determining on at her as she could surprising be on the backside of the flocks' pecking order. the suitable ingredient to do on your case is upload vegetables to her weight relief plan in case you do no longer already try this. Take her to the vet to artwork out what could surprising be inflicting her plucking, as Giardia would be controlled with drugs. If she's on the backside of the flock pecking order, try doing away with the two oldest birds then re-introduce them to artwork out if themes tone down. sturdy success! i'm able to provide help to be attentive to pick your boogers dearly ^.^ .
2016-11-24 19:43:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is unhappy, and she needs alot of attention with people while away from the other 2 birds, to show she is loved...
2007-03-10 15:42:31 · answer #5 · answered by sierra 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i also have a female cockatiel that plucks her self and vets say it is a sign of bordom and also haveing too many sunflower seads makes them pluck themselfs
2007-03-10 15:39:12 · answer #6 · answered by courtney_zomer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋