Help and advice on long term Eclectus plucker

This is my first post on this forum, and I need some friendly advice.

Just a quick background, I've had birds at different times in my life, as a kid parakeets and cockateils, but ten years ago, my sister was killed in an auto accident, and she had a male blue and gold macaw, that I ended up getting because her boys had lost interest in him, and he was given to me because I've always been that "animal guy" in the family.

His name was Mikey, and me and Mikey were best buddies for many years. I never had any health problems with him, he was really my best friend in the world. My sister was good to him, but not like me. When I got him, he wasn't as friendly or only said "hi", and was a bit wary of people. I got him to trust me, and he turned in to a completely different bird. He got very attached to me, and talked a lot, and became that picture perfect blue and gold.

In 2013, my shop burned down, and I lost so many animals, but none haunted me like the loss of Mikey.

Now here is where I need advice. Recently I was contacted through a mutual friend, that a lady had a pair of Eclectus she was looking for a good home. She stated that her son was autistic, and that the noise of the birds were making things worse. She offered these birds to me, and after some research, I thought these might be really cool, since I had rebuilt my shop and missed the company.

After we talked a bit she mentioned that the male was not perfect, and had plucking issues, and was like that since she had him. She said she had had them for 12 yrs, and she said the vet had cleared him from it being a health issue. She sent me a photo, and the bird was missing all of his feathers on his chest and back.

My questions are this: What are the chances of me getting him to grow back his feathers, or has too much time in this condition probably made this permanent?

I want to help these birds, but am I taking on more heartache?

Thank You for your help : )

Swifty

Hello Swifty, and a warm welcome to the forums.

My sincere apologies for losing beloved pets when your shop burnt down, especially Mikey! That had to have been absolutely devastating!

There is unfortunately no guarantee that the male Eclectus will ever regrow all or even some of his feathers. Much depends on whether permanent damage was done to the feather follicles. Once those are damaged, feathers can't regrow.

Here is a really good article that pertains to plucking, please have a look: http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/52217-plucking-search-answers.html

You said this was a 'pair' of Eclectus. Male and female housed together?

Hello Swifty, and welcome to Parrot Forums!

I am so sorry for the loss of your sister, as well as the loss of Mikey.

As for your questions about the male ekkie, if he's been plucking steadily for at least 12 years, there's a good chance that there's been some follicle damage and those feathers won't be growing back. I of course can't say for certain, but I don't want you going into the situation blind.

Now, if knowing this you would still like to adopt the pair, the next step upon getting them would be determining the cause of his plucking.

I know the current owner says the vet has dismissed the possibility of it being a health issue, and after 12 years that's likely true, but I'd personally take him to a trusted avian vet myself to make sure. The other vet might've missed something, you know?

There are a host of other possibilities as well. Lack of enough humidity, stress, boredom, dietary issues, allergies... even an initial catalyst that caused some skin irritation and spurred the plucking but is no longer a factor. After all, some behavioral plucking can start off as a health issue and become a habit.

Oh, and one other thing. If those 2 ekkies are currently in the same cage, there's even the possibility that the female is the one plucking him. Not quite as likely, but it's been known to happen.

Here is a link to a good thread started by our own Allee that should prove a helpful resource: http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/52217-plucking-search-answers.html

Btw, have you actually met this pair, yet?

Thank You for your response : ) The pair are currently together. I have not met them, only seen pictures. I was mainly unsure if the amount of time was a clinched deal on if the folicals were damaged, or if in others experience, that there still was hope. I was told the male was the more effectionate of the pair, and I realize it's a big difference from a macaw to an eclectus.

I work at home, so I'm always around the animals, I thought I could maybe help them with patience and a proper diet. I was just wondering if others had actually got one to turn around after so much time?

Swifty

Really dumb (and off topic) question. You're not the same Swifty who breeds tarantulas, by any chance, are you? Cause if so, YEEEEEARS ago I got a bunch of REALLY nice specimens from you. (We 'met' on Arachnoboards, IF you are THAT Swifty)

Yes, That's me : ) Still selling them : )

HA! That's SWEEEEET! Good to see you again!!! I was/am 'Socrates' on AB.

Crap, Swifty, I saw the YouTube video of your shop burning! I am truly so very sorry!!!!

swifty said:

Yes, That's me : ) Still selling them : )

Click to expand...

That's crazy; I have also purchased from you in the past and visit your site frequently. small world

Good luck to you on whatever you decide!