Feather Chewing?

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Feather Chewing?
Topic Started: Dec 17 2009, 07:48 AM (333 Views)
ChibiSilverWings	Dec 17 2009, 07:48 AM Post #1
Member Posts: 65 Group: Full Members Member #3,103 Joined: June 29, 2009 How many Parrotlets do you have One What types Pacific What colours Green Other Birds ? None I live in Michigan My name is Chelsea	I'm not sure yet if Abby is full-fledged plucking, but she HAS gained a coin sized spot that's all gray with down, left uncovered by her green feathers. The area is at her chest, right under her neck, not under her beak, since that's always naked haha, but right about at the highest point where she's able to reach with her beak. Everywhere else on her body she has very bright, full, and healthy feathers (just finished her molt actually) but I see her biting at this spot often and upon closer inspection her green feathers around that spot look broken. Seems like shes been leaving the shafts alone, but pulling off a number of the barbs, leaving them a bit less covering. I'm wondering if this is a symptom to something, if it's just the winter blues (it's cold and dry, Michigan is pretty far north), or if this is just a normal spot for parrotlets to leave bare, or down-y as the case maybe? I know I read that some people's birds pluck more, or start plucking during winter so I'm pretty sure that's what's happening. I'm trying to mist her more often and to keep lots of toys around for her to tear up. I just took her to the vet for a quick check up and she said her weight was fine and her feathers looked nice so I'm hoping that it's just a little ick from the cold. Any suggestions for foods/toys/things I can do to keep my girl looking pretty? Edited by ChibiSilverWings, Dec 17 2009, 07:50 AM.



Jan	Dec 17 2009, 08:13 AM Post #2
staff member Posts: 3,531 Group: Staff Member #1,157 Joined: November 18, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 3 What types Celestial What colours Blue & Green+Green Dominant Pied, Other Birds ? Zippi & Drummer Cockatiels I live in Wales uk My name is Jan	My cockatiel plucks seems to be anytime of the year but he has started about 2 weeks ago Maybe its the dry heat.. Ive never found a reason for mine doing it I recon its in his parents and he had it threw the genes.



ChibiSilverWings	Dec 17 2009, 05:38 PM Post #3
Member Posts: 65 Group: Full Members Member #3,103 Joined: June 29, 2009 How many Parrotlets do you have One What types Pacific What colours Green Other Birds ? None I live in Michigan My name is Chelsea	I did a bit more reading and she might have done it during our Thanksgiving break since she had to be move around a lot. Maybe it's just due to the stress of not being at home?



LauraR	Dec 17 2009, 06:05 PM Post #4
Staff Member Posts: 6,297 Group: Staff Member #78 Joined: April 7, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 1 What types Pacific What colours Blue Pied Other Birds ? 2 Conures I live in California, USA	It could be stress if she's just been moved around a lot like you said. Is she getting enough sunlight? I know it's hard to do, especially at this time of year. You're doing the right thing by misting her. Also, make sure she has toys with strings or something similar that she can preen if she wants to. I put one of these hanging peacock feathers in Spike's cage and I see him preening it all the time. http://www.parrotsparrotsparrots.com/ppp139.html There are others on the forum that will be able to give you more advice! :)



kevinp	Dec 17 2009, 06:52 PM Post #5
Administrator Posts: 6,893 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: October 7, 2006 How many Parrotlets do you have I have one Parrotlet What types Celestials What colours One green Other Birds ? Budgeries four off I live in a mess of my own making !!! My name is I'll give you a clue	It might well be as you said that she had been moved around a lot recently, misting her is a good idea. you will have to give it time until you know that she is plucking herself al though I have never seen a parrotlet that has plucked it's self bold yet they tend to just remove the coloured feathers.



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