This is weird... and sad

Some of you may know that my 15-16 months African Grey is having some feather chewing problems.. I've recently noticed that when she is in her cage or when I am not around her she does not chew her featers, or at least not as much as she usually does when she is outside the cage and I'm around??? Why is that?! Do I stress her??

Maybe she's doing it to get your attention?

I hope not I try my best to act like I don't care when I see her chewing her feathers but sometimes I do react on it. It is not because I want to but sometimes it just becomes too hard seeing her chewing her feathers so I try to distract her by talking to her or giving her cuddles.

Today I locked her out the cage, parrot-proofed the house, and then I locked myself in my bedroom lol. I checked on her once in a while and non of the times I saw her chewing on her feathers. She was eating, playing, talking or just sitting.

Feather chewing is either stress or boredom. Either way try to distract her. With attention, lots of toys (especially shredding & foraging toys), various treats (fruit, vegs, and nuts), and regular bathing. Have patience, keep at it, and show her you love her. Good luck!

Have you ever tried giving her a phonebook? Our alex was overpreening her feathers really badly until I gave her a phone book. Now it's her morning ritual, she eats her breakfast and goes right to work on her book and her feathers are looking so much better even after just a few weeks.

As hard is it is, do not react at all when she is barbering or plucking. It's only going to reinforce the behavior, whatever it takes, don't react to this behavior!

Thanks for your advice
I can't really see why she should be stressed or bored. I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure she's not stressed. She has some toys but it is very rare she shows interest in them, however, she do use her foraging toys and she is really good. I've never tried to give her a phonebook, I will definitely try that! Hope she shows some interest in shredding it. I will do my best not to react when she is chewing her feathers but I must admit that it is very hard not to

nut is not stressed or bored! but she continues to chew her feathers, only a little odd feather for now, but as soon as she gets hormonal, she goes OTT with it, its a pattern i have learnt to deal with

if its not medical etc its probably a habit, i do not think its you thats is making her chew at her feathers, the shredding toys are great at distracting them, but the nut seems to remember that she is due for a snip at her feather and do some catching up

I'm so sorry about nut, love the name btw. If she is not stressed or bored then maybe she is doing it because she is missing a boyfriend
If it is something Lulu has turned into a habit then I hope I can stop her. She is only 15-16 months old so there is still hope!

I hesitate to add "chewing" to the "behavioral problem" section, as chewing is a natural behavior of any parrot. They customize their environment by working on their nest, chewing on branches to keep their beaks in pleasant shape. This is what they do and that is natural and good for them.


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CAGLulu said:

I'm so sorry about nut, love the name btw. If she is not stressed or bored then maybe she is doing it because she is missing a boyfriend
If it is something Lulu has turned into a habit then I hope I can stop her. She is only 15-16 months old so there is still hope!

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Take her to an Avian vet to get a skin check to ensure that it's not mites or any skin infection. If they rule out the medical condition for certain, then you can concentrate on behaviour.

There's a high chance that she could be associating feather chewing with extra attention/cuddles. Be careful when she feather chews. It's good to see that you aren't reacting to it, but ensure to keep on top of it.

Another option is give her a mist down to encourage healthy preening. Or even a shower. How often do you mist her currently?

If she becomes worse, I've heard recommendations of getting a feathery boa for birds with feather destruction/plucking habits. One 'too had really bad plucking, but when a boa was in the cage with him, he would stop because he was distracted by the 'feather pulling toy'. The vet who recommended it advised to use it with caution as it can have the opposite effect and encourage feather pulling. Consult with an avian vet on that one.


And renmex - I disagree with you. I think it is perfectly fine for lulu to post it here.

Preening is a normal behaviour, chewing on toys, wood, etc is normal. Feather chewing and/or destruction is not.

IcyWolf said:

Have you ever tried giving her a phonebook? Our alex was overpreening her feathers really badly until I gave her a phone book. Now it's her morning ritual, she eats her breakfast and goes right to work on her book and her feathers are looking so much better even after just a few weeks.

As hard is it is, do not react at all when she is barbering or plucking. It's only going to reinforce the behavior, whatever it takes, don't react to this behavior!

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Phone books are a-ma-zing! Also if you get one of those toilet-roll toys where they can pull, and pull at it. As well as shred!

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