Will my birds feathers grow back?

Question

I have had her/him for 1 month.She is a Catalina Macaw.The former owner had her in a room locked away from everyone and no toys in her cage.She is very agressive.She has plucked all of her feathers off her entire body except her some of her wings tail and head.I got her lots of toys and have been giving her bird vitamins in her water to encourage feather growth

Answer 1

First off, I applaud you for taking in this rescue bird who deserves so much more than her previous owner gave her.
Feathers can often grow back. However, if your macaw has been a chronic plucker the feather follicles may be so damaged that new feathers will not regrow. She may always be bald in some areas if that is the case. Have you taken her to see an avian vet? Some feather problems are due to medical conditions such as being infected with Giardia. Sometimes brids are aggressive because they have an injury causing them pain. An avian vet can rule these treatable conditions out. If there is no medical reason it is likely due to the stress of her previous poor environment and love and time may bring her around.

Answer 2

You have your work cut out for you.This plucking has turned into mutilation. Diet is a great way to start. Give her a pellet food made for Macaws, limit seeds to 10%, add fruits and veggies 10-20% excluding chocolate and avocado. Add hard cooked egg three times a week for extra protein to build tissue like feathers. Vitamins will not be necessary with this formula. There are products that use Belladonna to de=stress these birds. There are pros and cons, but you may consider it for a short period given the extreme circumstances.My computer is acting up, but you can purchase this over the counter. You might give her foraging tasks like hiding food and treats in small pieces of wax paper with twisted ends to start with. I would be very engaging with this bird. The slow patient sweet way may not be effective. Play it by ear. Some need more confidence and can be allowed on a higher level than you to help foster this. This is not appropriate for all birds.It depends on their needs.Talk to this bird like it's a baby or small child. There many be many that want to help you. Accept different possible techniques. I know that Sapphire is an excellent resource. She has the most best answers in the bird category and is very understanding and accessible. Click on her Avatar to e-mail her. Hang in there and I believe things will turn around. Most of the feathers if not all have the potential to come back. Have a great year.

Answer 3

It sounds like the bird is a "plucker". That is a behavioral problem. Most times the feathers will grow back.,but the parrot continues to pluck the new feathers.There is a possability the bird will stop. I would take the bird to a avian doctor. That is a doctor special for bird/parrots. You have described all the things that you are doing. for the bird, and believe it or not parrots do not need usally more than 2-3 toys at a time, i read in a book called "Parrots for Dumbies", but parrots like it if you , the owner, change the setting around every time you clean the cage. if you can give the bird more activities to do through out the day. Make a routine for the bird every day to reduce stress.like plentey of attenchen 4-6 hours a day!! Talk to the bird as much as you can. Handle the bird and talk in a soft soothing voice. birds love it when you pay attenchen to them. It is like prozac to them when you talk to them. Giving special treats to eat too! My parrot also likes to go in to the bathroom while i run a hot water shower! It keeps her from throwing a screaming tantrum and it is a way for me to spend time with her..These are ways to spend more time with your bird.Talk to your doctor about bird stress too!! sounds crazy but it is true. Ask your doctor if your bird could be sexualy frustrated. They pluck their feathers for that reason as well!

Answer 4

Feather plucking/chewing can be caused by many things, behavioral neuroses or physical problems, the most common of which are the following:
Dietary Deficiencies
Endocrine/Reproductive Disease
Toxins (i.e., zinc poisoning - from toys, cages, and other metalic objects; environmental sources, such as pesticides on produce, exposure to cleaning products, air deodorizers, etc.)
Parasites (i.e., Gardia) - The common giardia picking pattern usually involves the chest, underside of the wings, insides of the thighs, shoulders and sometimes the lower back region.
Infectious disease
Hypothyroidism / low thyroid functioning
Primary Skin Infection
Allergies
Systemic Disease
Maybe it would be wise to let a vet look at her??
In the meantime try some of these.................
Teaching your parrot to talk will redirect their wild calling vocalizations into agreeable human talking.
Provide fun "Activity Centers" to keep your bird challenged & entertained. "Treat & Popsicle Dispensers" are highly recommended by avian professionals. They enhance your bird's environment by challenging them and keep them entertained.
Rotate toys frequently and introduce new toys regularly
Leave the radio or the TV on - they love bird / nature videos
Parrots enjoy audio tapes with bird / nature songs, or recordings of your bird or you talking
Call and talk to the parrot via answering machine
Locate your bird's cage near a window (not in direct sunlight) and attach a bird bath near or a window bird feeders to the outside of the window, where your bird will be able to watch the wild birds come and eat during the day.
Provide lots of willow, fruit tree, or birch branches
Good luck,hope you get this problem under control. Be warned, its not easy,and will take time.

Answer 5

Take her to an avian vet. There may be an infection going on that needs to be treated before the feathers can grow back properly. She may also need a collar to keep her from plucking.

Answer 6

Be careful not to overmedicate, and be too aggressive with resocialization. Sometimes, they pick at themselves out of frustration, or if they can't bite the person who is bothering them, they bite themselves. I'd suggest you keep her in a room where there are people, talk to her in a soothing or baby voice, and always have soft music playing in the background to soothe. You not only have a mutilated bird, you have an abused bird who has to be rehabilitated. Some birds may never "come back", and some might get attached to one person only. Be patient, and remember, soothe, soothe, soothe.

Answer 7

I had a pet Cockatil (sorry if i spelled that wrong). He was very mean when I got him from the pet shop. He would hiss at everyone and try and bite us. My grandpa eventually started talking to him saying his name and slowly moving his finger by his face sp he would know we were not trying to hurt him. He started giving him hardboiled egg yokes as a treat then before you knew it he was eatting out of his hand. Just recently about a year or more later after getting him. He is starting to like EVERYONE. Almost no more hissing to. Be VERY pacient. He/she will come around eventually.

bye

Answer 8

i had a cockteil . i put a budgie in the cage with her. the budgie was mad , stressed out the cocktiel, got rid of budgie to a friend.ied ibut the cocktiel plucked her feathers out from her wings and tail. vet gave 5mg of valium to be broke down in quarters,one qt to be crushed and put in the drinking water to calm her down .funny thing was , it was the same valium as ahuman would take, it worked for a while , she was happy , if you know what i mean .but sadly she never got really better and about a year later she died, i was broken hearted , not much help to you i know , but just thought i would reply

Answer 9

I think they will grow back if not tell a vet
Good luck!