Question about Plucking

[Bronxboomer]

I just got my African Grey last Thursday he has been home with me for almost 4 days I keep him out of his cage for about most of the day playing with him and getting him use to me. Now my question is he is always scratching him self and there is always white little wish feathers around my rug and around the cage I checked him out and he is not plucking himself because I don't see any signs of spots on him. Now a few minutes ago I went to check up on him and notice one Red feather from his tail on the bottom of his cage. My question is is there always feathers around the cage and floor or is this because he is plucking himself I don't see any skin he looks good like most pictures i seen of them plucking them selfs

[CeasarsDad]

Hi my friend. There will always be dander and feathers all over the place.. Normal... Plucking is when you start to see bald spots on his tummy... Don't worry.. Just give you bird all the attention he can take... You will be fine...

[estream]

I second that, you will always see the white downy feathers all over as well as the occasional red or grey full feather - even more so when molting. As long as you see no balding spots on your grey's body, plucking should not be a concern, but it's immeasurably good of you to be so cautious and seek out advice! It's always better to ask questions then to let things go with a bird. Clearly your grey is in loving hands :-)<br><br>Post edited by: estream, at: 2007/06/04 01:38

[judygram]

CD is right, some dander and feathers are normal. Didn't you know that greys have a dust about them, not as bad as some cockatoos do, but it is there. Also when they go thru a molt you will see lots of feathers and that is nothing to worry about either. Now like CD said if you see a lot of feathers and the ends are chewed like and you see bald places on them then you can worry about it. Hope I have helped.

[raehamilton]

I too also noticed Angie scratching a bunch today and saw her first little 4 feathers around her play area. When do they start to molt?

[judygram]

They can go thru a molt at any time and there is no set age on the first, but you will know by the amount of feathers falling out and if you scratch their neck you can feel the pin feathers.