Adopted Alexandrine Feather Plucking

lovecoco

New member
Jul 14, 2015
38
0
Hi Everyone,

I just adopted an Alexandrine. He is 4 and was plucking, so family decided to rehome. He's been with us for a week and from observing him, he seems anxious at times, but its getting better. He is a sweet bird and not aggressive. I observed this with his previous owner and also from being with us. He started stepping up to my arm last night, but of course, not with complete trust. I sit by his cage and talk to him and am doing things to gain his trust. My main concern is the plucking. I haven't seen him do it but I was wondering if it gets worse, before it gets better. Any info or advice would be appreciated.

:white1:
:orange::
:yellow1:
 

maverickbull

New member
Jun 18, 2016
69
0
Bangalore, India
Parrots
Alexandrine (hulk)
IRN (honey)
CAG (red)
Hi Everyone,

I just adopted an Alexandrine. He is 4 and was plucking, so family decided to rehome. He's been with us for a week and from observing him, he seems anxious at times, but its getting better. He is a sweet bird and not aggressive. I observed this with his previous owner and also from being with us. He started stepping up to my arm last night, but of course, not with complete trust. I sit by his cage and talk to him and am doing things to gain his trust. My main concern is the plucking. I haven't seen him do it but I was wondering if it gets worse, before it gets better. Any info or advice would be appreciated.

:white1:
:orange::
:yellow1:
Please can you post some pics of him. I have an alexandrine now & have fostered a few but never seen one that plucks.

You said he's anxious... Probably that's leading to the plucking. What's he anxious about? Is his diet ok?

If this is your first alexandrine you gonna have lotta fun. Mines a rescue... She does talk but not as much as my cag. She'll speak very softly... She'll hardly make any noise... She's like a puppy though will fly to me every time I sit for a meal. :)

Sent from my XT1092 using Tapatalk
 

Jottlebot

Member
Aug 29, 2012
507
14
Shropshire, UK
Parrots
Orange-winged Amazon - RIP Charlie,
Spock - Common Mynah,
McCoy - Alexandrine
It's relativity unusual for an Alexandrine to pluck. I'd get him to the vets to check it isn't something medical that's causing it.
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,666
10,057
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
Great advice provided above!

- Med Check is very important and ASAP!
- Diet is very important as well
- Assure that your Parrot has much to keep busy
- The trust bond is very important and your talking with your Parrot is very important. Consider adding reading out-loud, softly.
- Only good things happen when Humans are around.

Enjoy!
 
OP
L

lovecoco

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Jul 14, 2015
38
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Well, I think the anxiety I noticed the first few days was due to being in a new home. I don't notice it much now. He is active, so I try and keep him busy. I've added a bunch of bird toys. I've also been letting him spend some time in the same room with my other birds when I'm not home. At least to distract him. He's very cute. After I posted yesterday, he stepped up. He does it reluctantly because he doesn't fully trust, but I can tell he loves being around people.
He was a very tame bird with them. He also let me scratch his head and he doesn't want to always step up, but im excited we were able to get him off the cage for a bit. I will take him toVet on Friday, just to make sure he's okay. I also adopted a Goffin plucker close to 2 years ago and now she is happy and has all her feathers. Love does a lot, so I'm hoping the same for this guy.

I will post pics of him tomorrow. Thanks for the replies.
 

maverickbull

New member
Jun 18, 2016
69
0
Bangalore, India
Parrots
Alexandrine (hulk)
IRN (honey)
CAG (red)
Well, I think the anxiety I noticed the first few days was due to being in a new home. I don't notice it much now. He is active, so I try and keep him busy. I've added a bunch of bird toys. I've also been letting him spend some time in the same room with my other birds when I'm not home. At least to distract him. He's very cute. After I posted yesterday, he stepped up. He does it reluctantly because he doesn't fully trust, but I can tell he loves being around people.
He was a very tame bird with them. He also let me scratch his head and he doesn't want to always step up, but im excited we were able to get him off the cage for a bit. I will take him toVet on Friday, just to make sure he's okay. I also adopted a Goffin plucker close to 2 years ago and now she is happy and has all her feathers. Love does a lot, so I'm hoping the same for this guy.

I will post pics of him tomorrow. Thanks for the replies.
What do you know... You don't have any problems
Ha ha ha

Spend more time with him... There's a lot of fun waiting for you.

Alexes are excellent wood chewers... So be ready to get him a lot of chew toys. Mine doesn't enjoy foraging toys so much but she loves to shred.

Sent from my XT1092 using Tapatalk
 
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lovecoco

New member
Jul 14, 2015
38
0
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Just wanted to update everyone, he is doing great. No longer looks like a naked chicken :)

Has grown long tail feathers and all his feathers grew in at one point. He plucked about 20% after that, which I figured might happen. Baby steps. That was a couple months ago and I haven't seen him pluck anymore. He looks amazing compared to when he arrived. He's an awesome bird and we feel so blessed to call him our pet.
 

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