My 13 week old cockatiel tail feathers looked quite shabby. they were getting bent and breaking off. the cage I have is very large (FLIGHT CAGE). so I know it can't be the space is to small. and They looked awfull, so I decided to cut them, shorter so it would not annoy the bird so much,, is it ok that I did this? it didn't hurt it all. I think it feels and looks much better. is this normal for their feathers to look like this ,at this age? the rest of his feathers look beautifull. but it does pull out small fuzzy ones. I keep them with lots of toys, and human interaction, good food everyday, sunlight, lots of love and atten. They are happy birds.
I have a 9 year old tiel also, but I rescued her, and she looks 10 shades lighter, then before. They donot pick at one another at all. so I know this can't be it either. but I'm not familiar with younger tiels. any suggestions?
2007-11-17 15:36:07 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
I have six cockatiels and feathers are always falling out. To an extent it's normal to shed feathers and they can always break. Cutting the feathers was a good idea as long as you didnt cut too short and they will grow back.
My guess is that it's normal some cockatiels will even pull out their own feathers when they think it annoys them others do it to build a nest
2007-11-17 15:50:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to sell what was called a bird pacifier. It was rather simple but worked great on cockatiels. I assume they are still available.
It was a small toy-like gizmo. Had like a small wooded ball painted a bright color to attract the bird. It had a wad of nylon mono-filament bristles sticking out of the ball, almost like a little broom. You hang it in the bird's cage and they actually take up with it and preen the nylon strands. Keeps them from being bored, which is generally when birds pull their own feathers.
I never thought it would work, but I swear by them now. It;s worth a try....only cost like a buck. Good luck!
2007-11-17 20:21:52 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. Kalyfran 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seeing as it's a young bird, i can often be a natural process of plucking it's feathers.
However, has it been in contact with wildbirds? There is a possibility of having "beek and feather", which often isn't a cureable disease and will cause death in the bird. This is more than likely not the cause, but still a possibility to keep in mind.
Take care,
2007-11-17 16:05:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He would desire to be board, swap up his toys, or it would desire to be from rigidity, they have a tendency to pluck while they get nervouse. do not difficulty nonetheless, that is probable merely that he's getting used to his new atmosphere. it may additionally be that he's merely prooning. those appear as if tail feathers, and if that is purely a pair, then that is great. that's widespread. it may additionally be that he's drained. Cockariels particularly want a minimum of 12 hours of sleeep. without it, they are able to get ill, and commence ripping out their feathers. So make a mattress time for him, conceal up his cage, and don't difficulty him after that element. My chicken is going to mattress at 8, and wakes up at 8. this sort she's getting 13 hours of sleep. It makes lots happy, and fit of a chicken. Hopes this permits! ;)
2016-09-30 22:36:59 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feather plucking can be caused by an allergy or disease. Take it to the vet, they can give u some meds for this to help the bird. Don't know about the 9 yr. old.
2007-11-17 15:51:20 · answer #5 · answered by COutlaw 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tiels molt a few times a year, all thier feather fall out as new one replace them.
2007-11-17 16:05:34 · answer #6 · answered by jon_mac_usa_007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get the vet
2007-11-17 16:18:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋