We have been feeding our yellow headed parrot oiled sunflower seeds. He has been pulling feathers out like crazy. Can this be the problem?
2007-03-23 13:59:52 · 9 answers · asked by jeannie p 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Might very well be.
Sunflower seeds are like candy....best fed in teeny, weeny portions....if at all.
Please look into better diet choices for your parrot.
2007-03-23 14:08:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you mean a yellow-headed Amazon, then your parrot has not been receiving the right nutrition. But there are many, many reasons for a large parrot to pull out the feathers; insufficient nutrition, too much noise in the home, too small cage, not enough interaction with people, etc.
As far as nutrition is concerned, please get copies of, or go on the website, for Bird Talk. There are many articles on proper nutrition for parrots. And wild bird seed does not have enough variety, quantity, or quality of nutrition. Your bird needs fresh fruit (such as bananas, apples, berries), vegetables (squash, carrots, celery), and some good-quality sunflower seeds as well as large nuts such as almonds, hazel nuts, etc.
If your bird is an Amazon, he could live for many decades with proper care and be a good friend/companion for you for a very long time. Please research all you can on your bird's needs--sunflower seeds are most likely not his only problem that would have him pull out his feathers.
2007-03-23 23:30:16 · answer #2 · answered by birdybrain50 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the sunflower seed is the only thing he's getting, that may be the reason he's plucking. Wild bird seed isn't bad per se. It's not the greatest and it's okay in a pinch. But as the only dietary source, it causes a whole bunch of medical problems from nutritional related plucking to obesity and fatty liver disease.
Another reason your Yellow Headed Parrot may be plucking is that there's something in the seeds that's bothering him. You may want to change him to something healthier, as low quality wild bird seed can harbor fungus.
Hope the reason for the plucking is solved. Good luck!
2007-03-24 02:39:28 · answer #3 · answered by white_ravens_white_crows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Limit seeds to 10% only to avoid fatty liver disease which is lethal. Feather plucking is due to stress and all steps should be taken to curb this behaviour. Rotate his toys, give him foraging toys like food in wax paper with twisted ends, Warm baths and or showers. Act excited and happy and he will follow you his flock leader. Switch to a healthier pellet food. Fruits and veggies and add chopped cooked egg and crumbled egg shell for the added protein and nutrients. Feathers are mostly protein. Teach him tricks. If this doesn't stop his behaviour, consider medication. There is medication over the counter for this self-destructive behaviour. An avian vet can also prescribe something. Many feel medicating a bird is wrong, but sometimes drastic circumstances require drastic measures. These birds require a lot of stimulation. Many sources estimate their intelligence to be like that of a 3-5 year old child, so living in a cage is very stressful. Good luck.http://www.birdcareco.com/English/Arts/Health%20arts/Feather/Vet/Vet.html http://www.2ndchance.info/selfpluck.htm
2007-03-24 01:14:39 · answer #4 · answered by firestarter 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sunflower seeds contain so much of oil, if you feed them once in a while or as a snack itz good. Get them to the vet, itz required now.
In the wild they normally eat Fruit, seeds, nuts, berries, blossoms and leaf buds. You need to feed almost mixture of these.
2007-03-23 21:28:22 · answer #5 · answered by sun*red 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's pulling feathers he might be trying to help himself molt, and the wild bird seed isn't necessarily bad for him but its not very good for him either. He requires a different diet and different amino acids than the wild bird seed has. It might be causing the feather thing, might not.
2007-03-23 21:11:05 · answer #6 · answered by Nick B 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
NOOOOOOO! That is more than likely the problem!!! Sunflower seeds are JUNK FOOD!!!!!
Take him to the vet, have a full blood work up done. Find out what diet (pellets) the vet reccomends. This needs to be done ASAP!!!
2007-03-23 21:05:50 · answer #7 · answered by Christie D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dnt know if the food is the problem but that stuff is really bad for birds. The problem might be that you are not giving him enough attention
2007-03-24 02:40:25 · answer #8 · answered by lovechem! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not recommend feeding wildbird food to pet birds.
2007-03-24 08:16:58 · answer #9 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋