Rose Crested Cockatoo: A Talon Mutation

I’ve dealt with ruptured blood feathers over the decades.
The first when she was a youngster.

I’ve extracted only two from the crest. Both this year.
Interesting encounter as extraction requires support of the flesh at the base of the feather.
I showed her the issue before performing the removal. She was surprisingly cooperative.

Cause is likely her 7,000 RPM rotary talon scratch.

Anybody else?

WhiteFlight said:

I’ve dealt with ruptured blood feathers over the decades.
The first when she was a youngster.

I’ve extracted only two from the crest. Both this year.
Interesting encounter as extraction requires support of the flesh at the base of the feather.
I showed her the issue before performing the removal. She was surprisingly cooperative.

Cause is likely her 7,000 RPM rotary talon scratch.

Anybody else?

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My female U2 was a bloody mess a couple of time when she broke her blood feathers on a hard landing a couple times when first year of her free flying Usually let her hang off me and then I use hemostats and grab base of feather and support area and in a Swift motion pull in a straight not crooked. Thankfully she hasn’t had damaged follicle and feathers molted back fine.

As far as them rupturing blood feather, it when they over preen area and take off to much of the keratin coating.

ParrotGenie said:

As far as them rupturing blood feather, it when they over preen area and take off to much of the keratin coating.

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Agreed. She has ruptured feathers from over working them. The rupture on the crest feathers are not from preening. By default, it's going to be from a sharp talon. At least in our case. She has perfected her manicure technique.

Back when Meisha spent the majority of her time in the cage we experienced the first and worst episode of a rupture. She was about two or three years old, had broken several of her tail feathers in play climbing around and dropping like a monkey. I had removed them and replacements were unfolding. When no one was in the front office she managed to break one of the replacements in her tail. Dripping blood collected on the cage floor. She knew she was in trouble and let out a distressed call that worked, got my attention. Implemented a firm grasp and support with a quick snap pull. Blood feathers collapse with the firm grasp.

Oh dear, that looks awful. Great save by pulling broken blood feathers!

If I even touch a blood feather while petting, my birds have a conniption fit and yank away like I've stabbed them. I figured they were really sore and sensitive and that's what kept birds from breaking them while preening.

Scott said:

Oh dear, that looks awful. Great save by pulling broken blood feathers!

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Looks worse than it was as she wasn’t reflecting pain. However if left unattended, the threat was there.

My main intent on this thread is to create awareness of the potential issue in light of the loss of blood.

I remove damaged feathers as well as ruptured blood feathers. Normally I perform the procedure by myself, however prefer help with flight feathers and must have help with crest feathers. Meisha has never bitten me during a feather extraction.

What works for me, summary considerations:

1. Ruptured blood feathers should be promptly extracted. Not delayed for a visit to a veterinarian.
2. Blood feathers are very sensitive, bird will be defensive in the handling of them.
3. Task requires two people in most cases.
4. Hearing protection should be worn by both.
5. One person holds, restrict the birds head, with the other performing the feather extraction.
6. Extract by applying a firm grasp to the base of the feather close to the flesh with a hemostat or your thumb and index finger.
7. Support the surrounding flesh with the opposite hand.
8. Extract with a extremely fast snap action.
9. Apply pressure temporarily to slow, potentially stop the bleeding.
10. Apply a small amount of antibiotic to the port.
11. Speak to the bird with a calming voice during the procedure.
12. Show the bird the damaged to the feather after extraction. We refer to a damaged feather with one word, “Broken.”

Siobhan said:

If I even touch a blood feather while petting, my birds have a conniption fit and yank away like I've stabbed them.

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Meisha's conniption fit is frequently accompanied with a ear shattering bark.

Siobhan said:

I figured they were really sore and sensitive and that's what kept birds from breaking them while preening.

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Wish Meisha would buy into that plan. Seems the sensitivity tugs at her attention and is coupled with the Styx Factor: [ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJkJiIoUQCg] Too Much Time on My Hands.[/ame]