2007-09-25 04:49:38 · 11 answers · asked by Bamboo 3 in Pets ➔ Birds
Wow, I'm amazed at some of the ignorant answers being given here. There are MANY reasons why birds pluck their feathers. It could be medical, behavioral, hormonal, allergies or a result of their diet.
First and foremost, you should take your bird to a certified avian vet to rule out any medical causes. Once that is done, then you begin to rule out any other problems... your vet should assist you with this process as well.
Some of the things you want to be prepared to answer are:
Any recent changes in your home? Have you moved the cage, added birds, moved to another home, changed his food? What are you feeding him to begin with? When was the last time he had a good bath or spray down with a spray bottle? There are so many variables when it comes to feather plucking.
I read someone recommended toilet/paper towel rolls.. these are actually pretty dangerous to birds due to the glue they use to adhere the towel/tissue to the roll. Get some 24# paper and rip it into pieces and let him shred that... or buy "shredables" from the pet store. They love that stuff.
If you'd like to do a little research or get some advice from fellow parront owners, I urge you to visit www.theperch.net . My username there is WonderMomma so feel free to look me up if you join. It's a wonderful community with great advice and the nicest people.
If you'd like to contact me to talk further about the possibilities of your birds plucking, email me. :-) I wish you the best in helping your little guy!
2007-09-25 10:36:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Parrots can pull their feathers out for a variety of different reasons.
Stress can be a factor. Has there been a major change in your parrots life? New house? Maybe you didn't get a new home, but changed the location of your parrots cage? Is there something that makes your bird nervous? I have an african gray that actually chews (doesn't pluck) her feathers when she's nervous. Kind of like when people bite their fingernails during an intense football game, or whatever the case may be.
Could be boredom. Some parrots pluck feathers because they are bored. If your bird is stuck in it's cage all day, try to get him something to do while he's home alone. Get some toys for him to play with, or even put a TV in the room that he's in and let him watch TV all day.
Another reason could be poor feather condition. There is a product called Pro-Feta that is a great product. It takes a while to start working, but it's a liquid that you put in your birds water that helps improve feather condition. You may not notice it start to work until it molts its feathers again, but the new feathers will grow in strong and healthy, which if you think about it, stronger feathers will hurt more when he plucks them, which will probably discourage him from plucking.
How often do you bathe your bird? You might want to bathe him once or twice a week with just a spray bottle. No soap or anything. Just a spray bottle with warm water. Also, you might want to take him to a vet and have the vet check for mites. This could be another reason for plucking.
Do you know about the history of your parrot? Where he came from and what his parents were like? Feather plucking can also be hereditary. I had a quaker parrot that plucked his feathers for (seemingly) no reason at all. Then we found out that his parents were feather pickers and he inherited that bad habit. It was impossible to break the habit and he eventually died before we were able correct the problem.
So there could be a number of reasons that your bird plucks. The key is to figure out why he's plucking and try to correct it. Good luck!
2007-09-25 14:51:33 · answer #2 · answered by sdographics 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He could paossibly be grooming himself and jus' pulling out the weak feathers. Yur parrot could also be going through the plumage season, where old feathers fall out and new ones grow in it's place. Trust me it's quite normal, I have two cockatiels, so I should know. And Even possibly yur parrot could be pulling out his feathers due to lack of attention, but though this is impossible, because u notice him pulling out his feathers. So that means u obviously pay attention to him. And lastly, he could have a problem, and going to the vet would be the solution. Hope this helps.
2007-09-25 11:59:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most parrots self mutilate like this because of boredom! Try to take your bird out and let him play for at LEAST 4 hours a day. If this is not possible, give him things to do. Provide a wide assortment of toys. Give him/her toilet paper rolls and let them shred up the card board. Anything that provides mental stimulation will, in the long run, stop your bird from feather picking.
2007-09-25 13:37:48 · answer #4 · answered by Michelle H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i also have a parrot and it did that too. when it is scared it pulls out its feathers. do not make to any sudden movements around it.and also most parrots do that alot if they are in a new place or if there are to many people around.
2007-09-25 12:59:04 · answer #5 · answered by mrs.habibi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm... It seems like you parrot is either going throught alot of stress or he is hot and he wants to mate with another parrot.
2007-09-25 11:52:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
birds normally pull out their feathers if they are bored...you need to get him something to play with and keep him occupied...like a mirror to see himself in and other stuff too
2007-09-25 11:51:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
its probably time to molt their feathers. At times, birds lose their feathers, i think aorund winter. Hope he/shes okay.
2007-09-25 11:52:54 · answer #8 · answered by Because I wanna know 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is a behavioral problem caused by anxiety.
2007-09-25 11:51:34 · answer #9 · answered by sleepingliv 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Boredom, he needs more stimulation.
2007-09-25 11:51:51 · answer #10 · answered by Seed Plower 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋