advice please

Feciamecia · Apr 2, 2013

Hi everyone,
My cinnamon cheeked conure is overgrooming herself on her chest and abdomen to the point where her skin is starting to show through the short little feathers that she has left in that area. Why is this happening and what can I do about it. Thanks

weco · Apr 2, 2013

You're sure she's not molting? Is it dry in your home? How often does your bird bathe? Humidity level should be between 40% & 60%.....dry atmospheres can cause birds skin become too dry, which can cause them to scratch, pluck feathers and/or mutilate themselves.....low humidity levels are bad for wood framed housing & for furniture.....

If you need a hygrometer to test your humidity levels, Ace hardware sells a decent one, Taylor model 1525 or you can get it online.....stay away from the cheaper Taylor models & cheap other brands...they often don't work right & you'll be back getting a better one.....

If it's not too dry in your home, you may have to look at the food & start excluding things that might possibly cause an allergy.....how long has this been going on & have you changed her food before it started?

Feciamecia · Apr 3, 2013

Thanks for your response. She may be molting, but her companion is a sun conure and he is fine, so I thought if one was molting then the other would be too? My ccc bathes every day and I have not changed her diet which is mainly dried and fresh fruits, seeds, nuts and fresh veg. One thing I did do though is change the location of their cage from the kitchen to the hallway , so I wonder whether she maybe does not like her new location? Yes my house is dry but we are having a fairly long summer here in australia and humidity levels have been up. Thanks for pointing that out to me though as I had not considered the effect of humidity levels on the birds.

critterman · Apr 3, 2013

Have you taken it to the vet? It could be something else........diet, stress, or any number of things. I always believe it is best to get them to a vet the moment I notice anything different or unusual. It doesn't take long for them to crash and be gone.......better safe than sorry. You can't go wrong with a good avian vets advice.

Boysmom · Apr 3, 2013

It could be as simple as the cage location change. If you can, move the cage back to where it was, and keep an eye out and see if that helps. Then if it doesnt help, you know you have to try another approach. I always try to start with the simpliest remedy first. My female Amazon plucked recently but her mate did not. I finally figured out it was due to a pellet change. I went back to the old pellets and she started to regrow feathers and her activity level went up also. I have learned that some parrots just DO NOT like change in any form, while others are not affected by change in their enviroment at all.

advice please

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