Molting or feather picking ?

[bbaldiran]

Hello, I got an african grey about 10 month old and Im from Turkey . In my country vet. only know dog cats and sheep etc. And I dont find any parrot vet. I use multivitamins, calcium and eat vegetables. All the time I watch my bird and I dont see any feather picking symptoms. I share my parrots pictures. Help me pls.

 

 

 

 

[Greywings]

What are you feeding this bird besides veggies?He is looking a bit thin. Is he or she getting unfiltered Sunlight? How often is he or she getting a bath or shower with plain water? We need more information so we are able to help you.

[bbaldiran]

I use this seed mix : Versele- laga parrots prestige. For lightning : JBL jungle day light full spectrum lamp ( I use everyday 5-6 hour). Bathing : 3 or 4 times a week and I spreyed water. Everyday sleep 11 12 hour. Normally everthing is fine .. my parrots 10 months old but speak 15 word. He/She learned very fast its very intellignt. But feathers very bad I suspect internal/external parasites and I use parasites sprey and internal parasites medicine but didnt work well...

[Brat Birds]

I am concerned with the vitamins. Unless he is on a bad diet he shouldn't need them. Are they people vitamins??

[bbaldiran]

I use Aminosol . Its for animals.

[Greywings]

I would suggest not giving the supplements, if he is getting fresh fruits & veggies along with his seed mix that should be sufficient.

[bbaldiran]

This feathers is normal ? Is it molting time ? Or vitamins caused this situation ?

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

I am not good with feather plucking, as I am lucky to have not had that experience.( I wouldn't wish that on anyone!). Obviously, you have a feather issue. Giving a healthy diet with fresh fruits and veggies, and a balanced seed diet, are very important. Skip the supplements! As others suggested, shower opportunities and natural sunlight are extremely important!

Time out of cage, chew toys, and monitoring when your bird is attacking feathers, are very important . Nancy

[bbaldiran]

Thanx for your helping

[SRSeedBurners]

That does not look like feather picking to me as there are feathers missing above the neck unless another bird is doing it to that bird. My first thoughts were Beak and Feather Disease but the feathers growing in look healthy. What happens when those feathers start to come out from the sheath?

[bbaldiran]

Feathers growing back but start to come out from the sheath too late.. and some times i found under the cage the sheaths ..

[bbaldiran]

Photo update :

 

[Luvparrots]

Are you still spraying your parrot with parasites spray. It may be that it is irritating your bird's skin so he is trying to get rid of it. If you do not have any aloe vera spray, please just spray your parrot with water to get the parasite spray off of him. The water hopefully cleanse his skin.

Also stop the supplements. A good diet should be enough.

Edited December 7, 2014 by luvparrots

[BaileysPapa]

I've handled several pluckers, and he does not look like the normal patterns of plucking. Either another bird did this to him, (it does happen), or he has something going on with either his skin or feathers. Like everyone says, cut back on vitamins and supplements. You can give them too much, and cause problems. He's eating fruits & vegetables and seeds. A natural foods diet is best. Also some sunshine, but no too much. Bird skin is not meant to be exposed to sunlight naturally, and he could get sunburn which will make things worse. Good luck with him.

[bbaldiran]

Thanx for yours all advice. I have got only one parrot. I cut all vitamins and supplements yesterday. You are right maybe vitamins dosage too much for him, because he 's eating fruits, veggies and mixed seeds.

[murfchck]

Also stop the treated sprays for a while. As was said this could be irritating the skin. Aloe would be good if you can get it, otherwise just plain water.

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

Like I said... I don't have birds that chew their feathers, but I knew your bird was chewing! If you can have an " open cage" concept, it will make all the difference in the world. Nancy

[Greywings]

It may be that your bird could have a yeast or bacterial infection on his skin, but before doing anything please just follow the advice you have been given so far. Lets see how he does with out the supplements as they can cause some serious issues with your birds health.

[Greytness]

Can you get him in to be tested for beak and feather disease (PBFD)?

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

Get your baby in the shower! Will help with the itching! If not plucking, and is a bacterial infection, the vet will need to do some scrapings. Do you have a vet you can see? Nancy

[bbaldiran]

In Turkey vets only educated cats dogs sheeps cows dont know any parrots disease and threatment. So they dont make any test I try to make your all advice.

[jbsmomto1]

maybe the house is dry causing him grief frpm dry skin? steam him in the shower, let him take a bath though im not sure he will get wet enough,,,, run a humidifier,,, get some red palm oil and add a little bit to his food a couple times a week?

[jbsmomto1]

maybe the house is dry causing him grief frpm dry skin? steam him in the shower, let him take a bath though im not sure he will get wet enough,,,, run a humidifier,,, get some red palm oil and add a little bit to his food a couple times a week? I was told that baby greys don't pluck, dunno if its true or not

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

Think of something new...." outside of the box"... how about opening the cage door, leaving it open, put fun gym in front of cage. ( only if you have family members home 24/7). Nancy

[SullysMom]

I'm afraid I'm not much help but I hope you figure out what's wrong with your little guy!