3 month old green cheek itchy

Pilaf · Aug 2, 2017

Echo my 3 months old cinnamon green cheek has some weird 'spasm' moves every now and then. Like he's suddenly very itchy, and then he scratches himself with his beak but gets quite irritated as well, and can bite when he's sitting on you. One moment he's sitting calmly and then suddenly very fast he reaching on his back for example with his beak and getting irritated. It can happen anywhere -- when he's on his play stand or when he sits with me or in his cage.

Can it be because he's young and he still has some prickly feathers? Or does he molt already? Or can it be that it is too dry in my apartment? It's like he suddenly goes a bit crazy for a few seconds.

SilverSage · Aug 2, 2017

How often does he take a bath?

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Pilaf · Aug 2, 2017

SilverSage said:
How often does he take a bath?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Every day. About twice a day.

Flboy · Aug 2, 2017

By chance, covered in pin feathers?

LordTriggs · Aug 3, 2017

agreed with fiboy, sounds like pinnny pinny pin feathers!

Flboy · Aug 3, 2017

Must add, by the looks of your little buddy, he looks like a pin cushion! The frequent baths are perfect! He is growing a new set of threads!

Pilaf · Aug 3, 2017

Flboy said:
Must add, by the looks of your little buddy, he looks like a pin cushion! The frequent baths are perfect! He is growing a new set of threads!

Thank you very much. In that photo he just took a bath, so he's very wet. What do pin feathers look like exactly and how are they different from normal feathers?

T00tsyd · Aug 3, 2017

Pilaf said:
Flboy said:

Must add, by the looks of your little buddy, he looks like a pin cushion! The frequent baths are perfect! He is growing a new set of threads!

Click to expand...

Thank you very much. In that photo he just took a bath, so he's very wet. What do pin feathers look like exactly and how are they different from normal feathers?

If you look at him closely you will see needle looking white or maybe brownish 'pins' sticking out. Most of these he will break himself (preening) when they are ready and they do irritate and itch as they poke his skin. Again if you look closely around his neck and head, even close to his eyes and beak there will be some that he can't reach. In a flock I believe they help each other but on their own they struggle so rely on us.

Syd has been teaching me how to break them. When he realises what I am trying to do he stays absolutely still in my hands and offers me the bits I need to feel. When I feel a pin I hold it between my thumb nail and pad of my first or second finger and squeeze lightly. I have watched youtube vids of people rubbing them but that makes my guy squeal. So I resorted to just pressing them and if they are ready he closes his eyes as if in bliss and they break into little pieces like dandruff. Be careful not to pull.

Once started he seems to be able to scratch any remaining bits out. I have to say his patience at my fumbling around his feathers is notable.

It's worth checking Youtube for help but most seem to be on much bigger birds and looks easier. Good luck - it takes patience but my guy is so delighted with my progress it's worth it.

Pilaf · Aug 3, 2017

T00tsyd said:
Pilaf said:

Flboy said:

Must add, by the looks of your little buddy, he looks like a pin cushion! The frequent baths are perfect! He is growing a new set of threads!

Click to expand...

Thank you very much. In that photo he just took a bath, so he's very wet. What do pin feathers look like exactly and how are they different from normal feathers?

Click to expand...

If you look at him closely you will see needle looking white or maybe brownish 'pins' sticking out. Most of these he will break himself (preening) when they are ready and they do irritate and itch as they poke his skin. Again if you look closely around his neck and head, even close to his eyes and beak there will be some that he can't reach. In a flock I believe they help each other but on their own they struggle so rely on us.

Syd has been teaching me how to break them. When he realises what I am trying to do he stays absolutely still in my hands and offers me the bits I need to feel. When I feel a pin I hold it between my thumb nail and pad of my first or second finger and squeeze lightly. I have watched youtube vids of people rubbing them but that makes my guy squeal. So I resorted to just pressing them and if they are ready he closes his eyes as if in bliss and they break into little pieces like dandruff. Be careful not to pull.

Once started he seems to be able to scratch any remaining bits out. I have to say his patience at my fumbling around his feathers is notable.

It's worth checking Youtube for help but most seem to be on much bigger birds and looks easier. Good luck - it takes patience but my guy is so delighted with my progress it's worth it.

Thank you very much. I'll have a look at my Echo, and also at Youtube videos

LordTriggs · Aug 3, 2017

Pilaf said:
T00tsyd said:

Pilaf said:

Thank you very much. In that photo he just took a bath, so he's very wet. What do pin feathers look like exactly and how are they different from normal feathers?

Click to expand...

If you look at him closely you will see needle looking white or maybe brownish 'pins' sticking out. Most of these he will break himself (preening) when they are ready and they do irritate and itch as they poke his skin. Again if you look closely around his neck and head, even close to his eyes and beak there will be some that he can't reach. In a flock I believe they help each other but on their own they struggle so rely on us.

Syd has been teaching me how to break them. When he realises what I am trying to do he stays absolutely still in my hands and offers me the bits I need to feel. When I feel a pin I hold it between my thumb nail and pad of my first or second finger and squeeze lightly. I have watched youtube vids of people rubbing them but that makes my guy squeal. So I resorted to just pressing them and if they are ready he closes his eyes as if in bliss and they break into little pieces like dandruff. Be careful not to pull.

Once started he seems to be able to scratch any remaining bits out. I have to say his patience at my fumbling around his feathers is notable.

It's worth checking Youtube for help but most seem to be on much bigger birds and looks easier. Good luck - it takes patience but my guy is so delighted with my progress it's worth it.

Click to expand...

Thank you very much. I'll have a look at my Echo, and also at Youtube videos

yes just remember to be very gentle with him during this time, from what I have seen/heard they come off easily when they're ready. Good to do it just after a bath as that helps loosen them. Just be prepared you'll inevitably hit one that's a bit sensitive and he'll give quick chomp, just him voicing his displeasure at your technique

clark_conure · Aug 3, 2017

^^^^^what LordTriggs & TOOtsyd said

Pilaf · Aug 3, 2017

Thank you all very much

T00tsyd · Aug 3, 2017

Pilaf said:
Thank you all very much

I perhaps should add that you need to go steady. Presumably Echo hasn't experienced this before either so maybe just a couple at a time. Once his feathers inside the tubes are released he will feel so much better that he will be only too glad for you to carry on.

Don't touch brownish ones I believe they still have blood in them. Look for the white ones.

Pilaf · Aug 3, 2017

T00tsyd said:
Pilaf said:

Thank you all very much

Click to expand...

I perhaps should add that you need to go steady. Presumably Echo hasn't experienced this before either so maybe just a couple at a time. Once his feathers inside the tubes are released he will feel so much better that he will be only too glad for you to carry on.

Don't touch brownish ones I believe they still have blood in them. Look for the white ones.

Thank you very much for letting me know. Earlier I was cuddling Echo and I haven't been able to find a pinfeather yet, but I'll keep looking.

T00tsyd · Aug 3, 2017

They should be pretty obvious. Perhaps we are wrong and pin feathers are not to blame. Is he moulting at all?

Pilaf · Aug 3, 2017

T00tsyd said:
They should be pretty obvious. Perhaps we are wrong and pin feathers are not to blame. Is he moulting at all?

No I don't think he moulting. I haven't found any feathers. This coming Tuesday I have an appointment at the vet with him, so maybe I can ask then.

I do notice that he's startled quite easily with noises. Like when I sneeze for example, or a sudden noice from outside. Maybe that's what makes him cranky from one second to another. It does look like though as if he suddenly itchy, because of his sudden moving and scratching himself with his beak.

LordTriggs · Aug 4, 2017

yeah, parrots are the definition of twitchy. I think I remember you saying construction work was going on near you? He could just be hearing things from that. Of course it could be anything, I'd say to keep an eye on him, do you have a follow up at the vet for his little infection? If you do that may be a good time to mention it. It could also be that his feathers aren't quite sitting right which isn't uncommon for a baby bird so they could be annoying him. Once again keep an eye on the little monster

Pilaf · Aug 4, 2017

LordTriggs said:
yeah, parrots are the definition of twitchy. I think I remember you saying construction work was going on near you? He could just be hearing things from that. Of course it could be anything, I'd say to keep an eye on him, do you have a follow up at the vet for his little infection? If you do that may be a good time to mention it. It could also be that his feathers aren't quite sitting right which isn't uncommon for a baby bird so they could be annoying him. Once again keep an eye on the little monster

Yeah indeed, construction work is going on in our street, lots of noises. This Tuesday I'm going to the vet again with Echo. Yesterday I was cuddling Echo for a long time and I checked his whole head and neck, but couldn't find any pinfeathers. Maybe on the rest of his body, but he can reach there himself right?
Today he's a lot calmer though, and there's less noice outside.

clark_conure · Aug 4, 2017

When your petting him is there any particular area that he freaks out about? Is it localized or just randomly wherever?

Also while I'm thinking about it do you want a different picture shrunk to use as an avatar or is the one I picked fine....I can knock it out in seconds....

PickleMeDickles · Aug 4, 2017

Really sounds like pin feathers. Really itchy really sensitive. There seems to be a period when they like the ends crushed and as much of the sheath removed as possible. You'll get to know your bird really fast if watch closely for clues that a certain sheath is a little too sensitive. If you bird is trying to stay extremely still while you are doing this he must be loving it!

3 month old green cheek itchy

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