Parrot Care 101 - Feather Plucking 3 (Picking Barbering)

[LittoMoonLight]

can you put something on her neck so she could not pluck

[multidoom]

We had the same case. All we had left was just one head, and no feather at all!!! Very sad! But now he is getting better, even can fly a bit. It took almost two years to try and get it growing back again!!! One thing I can say, it is definitely NOT seasonal!!!!! One thing you should check is, after the feather has been plucked, the left overs do not allow to grow for new feather, you may have to check and to get it out yourself, they may cause some infection.

Good Luck and do not worry!!!

[Parrotcare101]

After going on vacation & my mom saying she did not pluck and then returning home and Einstein plucked & barbered and squeeks for me and wants continual scratching, I think she has decided I am her mate. She is way too attached & mushy. I am convinced this is Einstein's situation. Instead of ignoring her (Never!), I will chat with her intelligently to see if that takes her mind of cuddling & any nesting behavior. We closed the sock drawer too where she was digging through -a nesting behavior.

[patryric]

It is a seasonal thing here, they start plucking when winter comes usually.

Hope my big guy will be ok this year.

It can be devastating but try to hide your feelings cause they are like sponge. Water bowls were put away from food bowl and I now use GSE in it to keep it clean. Do not despair and be patient.

Good luck.

[Parrotcare101]

I don't think it's seasonal with Einstein. Bird Talk mag has a great article in this month (or last month's) issue about molting and when they molt. I'll find out the details.

[patryric]

I have two Greys and one Macaw.

My female (10) had been breaking belly feathers since one. I got her a companion Macaw with no help. Four years ago I got a male Grey. We moved and she has stopped plucking finally but her belly will never grow back to normal. My young male was perfect until last december when it had a night fright and in the morning all feathers were gone from tail. Within few days all wing ones gone also. Terrible. He had bacterial infection in intestines and was treated.

[Parrotcare101]

Night fright?

Did the infection cause the plucking?

[LP9BiTcH]

My bird is now doing it sparingly...but he is doing it out of habit. My vet said he is healthy...

I am home 24/7 he isn't stressed he has toys....and foraging toys too.

I have noticed he likes to take the feather and bite it little by little because it makes a cracking noise. When It doesn't make that noise anymore he drops it.

It's a bit like having a baby..you can read, research, learn. each bird is so unique and has it's own personality. With in the same breed I mean.

[Parrotcare101]

So you did take him to the vet. That's good. Check out my message to you. Playing with wax-free bathroom dixie cups are great to play and get them foraging.

[LP9BiTcH]

My heart goes out to you! I have an african grey as well! He has started plucking a bit too.

He is 5 years old. It is devastating...but don't give up. Check with your avian vet for advice as i'm sure you have.

For all the people leaving negative comments...She knows it's not like owning a gold fish! Give her some credit and compassion. Don't leave stupid comments like that!

[Parrotcare101]

Thanks. I've worked very hard and have done loads of research. She is much better now, but still plucks. Foraging toys have really helped. Showers are good. At this point, it's like being a nail biter. Bad habit. We need to keep her busy. But I know she's a happy bird. We just need to make her a fully feathered bird!

[LP9BiTcH]

My bird is now doing it sparingly...but he is doing it out of habit. My vet said he is healthy...

I am home 24/7 he isn't stressed he has toys....and foraging toys too.

I have noticed he likes to take the feather and bite it little by little because it makes a cracking noise. When It doesn't make that noise anymore he drops it.

It's a bit like having a baby..you can read, research, learn. each bird is so unique and has it's own personality. With in the same breed I mean.

[sixxgun1]

Plucking tailfeathers is a sign of stress, an african grey is not like owning a goldfish. you should talk to a vet that is good with birds, always research an animal before owning. african greys can be very jealous in nature and you mentioned you had a macaw, maybe its the presence of this other bird that causes the stress. try seperating them.

[Parrotcare101]

We have done lots of research and spent much time at vets. I absolutely understand as much as I can. You must see what it's like in our home to fully understand. The two birds LOVE each other, yes, they get jealous from time to time (mostly in the spring), but they are true sister/flock members and the macaw can't even be alone without the grey. the grey gets her solitude time though. she likes to chitter-chatter with herself. please see the other videos to learn everything we've done.

[sixxgun1]

Pulling his feathers is a sign of stress, and i give mine total freedom. if i lock her up, she'll pull all her tail feathers out by morning. i had also considered getting her a mate and learned that it could make her withdrawn.you mentioned you had a macaw that could knock (HIM)off his perch. maybe its the prescence of this other bird that is the source of its stress they can be very jealous. male grey's have bright red tailfeathers, females have a much darker shade of red. try seperating them.

[CRESTEDGECKO101]

thx my grey has done that to but not as mush but it still plucks its feathers got good but now she started again thx alot for info i was worried

[Msifangirl]

Maybe could it be the tea? I mean its caffeine and I've never heard of giving that to a parrot before. You do have a point that she maybe plucking because she feels smothered try moving her cage and continue to monitor her from afar. Maybe you could use a video camera and give her some toys?

[Parrotcare101]

Camomile (spelling?) tea is good. Caffine is bad for birds. Camomile has no caffine and can be soothing for a nervous bird. Check out our foraging toys videos. It's helped A LOT! She's getting better.

[Parrotcare101]

I'm not an expert, but for me, I was able to tell just by seeing the bird losing her feathers and seeing bald spots (mostly on Einstein's chest).

Barbering is different from plucking - of what I know of.... Plucking is pulling the feather from the skin. Barbering is actually breaking the feather in half or in many pieces or in one whole piece, but by breaking the "stem" of the feather - not sure of the term.

[Amandah86]

I hope your grey recovers soon. Can you tell me how you can tell the difference between a feather that has been plucked and a feather that has been molted?

[greengrendel]

Congo African Greys need to spend time with their family for a while after weaning, since they are usually sold after weaning they can develop to be very nervous. All i want to say is don't feel too bad, it's not all your fault, some greys are just nervous.