feather plucking

[Jacob]

Hi

 

This is my first post so please excuse any errors.

 

Jacob is a one year old African Grey who until now has been a happy and joyful bird. Over the last couple of months he has pulled out a few feathers, especially in his tail but it is obvious that new ones have been growing through and these look fine.

 

He sleeps in his own bedroom upstairs in his large cage with a cover. Last evening he went to bed as normal, albeit a bit reluctantly, as he had been playing, and we had the heating on for the first time since December, as it was cold. This morning he gave us all a shock, as he had pulled out all his top feathers and down around his neck and on his lower back. Most of his neck looks plucked and a bit red but there are some sheaths and pins showing - moreso on his back.

 

We're booked for the vet tomorrow but has anyone else had this problem and has anyone any advice?

 

Thanks

Jacob's mum

[Tari]

Once you get a clean bill of health check to see if you changed anything. Also since your running heat make sure you give extra baths.

More toys to keep him buzy. Is he getting enough sleep or maybe to much? Maybe he don't want to be covered?

I am sure many more well have some much better advice.

[charlie666]

hi Jacob mom,

i am no expert but my advice would be as tari said lots and lots of toys i mean lots !"!!!!! of toys no cover,

and why his own room personally i think the best place would be the most social place of the household IE. living room or sitting room of coarse these are just my personal feelings and i am sure someone will have some better advice than me as i am a newbie to this family as well.

 

all the best........................ceri<br><br>Post edited by: charlie666, at: 2007/06/26 23:54

[CeasarsDad]

Welcome to the forum.. I think what you have here is some kind of skin issue that seems to be bothering him. Rather then him being board.. Can I ask you what his bathing habits are?

[hveusnthbrige]

My friend has a 13 year old CAG and shes plucked nearly bare. He has the classic "Halo" or "Force-field" around the Grey in that if the bird doesnt like it he wont do it. In this case its getting wet. Cherry hates getting wet in the shower so he doesnt give her bathes. As a result she yanks those itchy little things out.

 

My Cockatiels have 2 bathes a week. They HATE getting wet, but after they are all dried off they play hard and sing loud. 'Tiels come from the Australian desert.

These Grey parrots come from the African rain forests. In the wild it rains and pours..

 

And, don't be ashamed of your baby looking a little plucked. He's still pretty, keep that in mind and pay no notice to plucking in front of him. Otherwise he'll start doing it to get your attention!:ohmy:

[judygram]

Right on, I bathe Josey even though she does not like it. Get the vet check then go from there.

[Jacob]

Thanks all

 

Vet says Jacob's fine and healthy, which is good. His diet's good, he has zills of toys and spends most of his time downstairs with his mum and dad. He gets out a lot and loves his adventure pack (cage within a rucksack), which means he gets to go everywhere.

 

He thinks he's just had a hissy fit that night because he's growing new feathers and is itchy but we need to watch out to make sure it doesn't get to be a habit. He's threatened him with a collar if he does it again!

 

Thanks again for the advice, as I feel better now.

 

Jacob's mum

[Talon]

Glad to hear that all is well with Jacob! It's always so reassuring to get good news from the vet. Thanks for the update!!