Ok, so you know that Wrangler is a plucker---I managed to get him back to nearly full feather last Nov. but then he took out his contours (left wings/tail/primary's alone). We've had varying degrees of progress but at the moment he's moulting, or at least his head is---that's the only way i can tell the difference right now. He'll get a chest feather or two but eventually they go missing. He's got a healthy down coat at the moment, no obvious bald spots until he's wet. When he's wet i dont see ANY signs of emerging pins. This concerns me. Also, his tail is/was pretty much down to 2" nubs because he scrubs it on the cage. This week he's been preening it, splintering what's left until its just spines that are split and frayed. Should I leave them or pull them? I dont want to pull them, but i also dont want to let him reinforce the overpreening behaviour.
feather issues
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Re: feather issues - Plucking!
My Opinions - Parrots that Pluck!
Never pull feathers, especially on a Parrot that has a history of plucking! This will place even more Stress of their system to replace feathers.
Become very in tune with the molting schedule of your Parrot. This assures that you can clearly determine what you are seeing is either molting or plucking!
Always target the most heathy diet you can get your Parrot to eat. Parrots that pluck place huge demands on their energy stores to replace feathers. A very healthy diet is critical for them!
Bath your Parrot regularly! After a bath, use a Topical Spray (MIST) with Avian Specific active Aloe Vera. We use "Soother" that includes an antipruritic and anti-inflammatory. Available at your CAV.
Be very careful regarding some drugs available as you may end-up with a non-plucker who is addicted to the medication!
See their Certified Avian Vet (CAV) regularly at a minimum of every six months! We are seeing ours every 60 days (see below).
Keep their Beak tip slightly rounded. The normal point will ravage their skin and only add to the problems. Near nothing written about this and we are in trailing with our CAV on what level of roundness works the best. Never let anyone other than a CAV do this work!!! Never!!!
There is much more, but that will help move what you are doing into a very specific directions.
Have very honest and open discussions with your CAV! Keep a note book and review it with your CAV!
My Opinions - Parrots that Pluck!
Never pull feathers, especially on a Parrot that has a history of plucking! This will place even more Stress of their system to replace feathers.
Become very in tune with the molting schedule of your Parrot. This assures that you can clearly determine what you are seeing is either molting or plucking!
Always target the most heathy diet you can get your Parrot to eat. Parrots that pluck place huge demands on their energy stores to replace feathers. A very healthy diet is critical for them!
Bath your Parrot regularly! After a bath, use a Topical Spray (MIST) with Avian Specific active Aloe Vera. We use "Soother" that includes an antipruritic and anti-inflammatory. Available at your CAV.
Be very careful regarding some drugs available as you may end-up with a non-plucker who is addicted to the medication!
See their Certified Avian Vet (CAV) regularly at a minimum of every six months! We are seeing ours every 60 days (see below).
Keep their Beak tip slightly rounded. The normal point will ravage their skin and only add to the problems. Near nothing written about this and we are in trailing with our CAV on what level of roundness works the best. Never let anyone other than a CAV do this work!!! Never!!!
There is much more, but that will help move what you are doing into a very specific directions.
Have very honest and open discussions with your CAV! Keep a note book and review it with your CAV!
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He gets bathed almost daily....at least 5x/week. He's on a fresh chop diet, no pellets and i keep his beak rounded because Mr Needlebeak likes to grab at me for attention. I commented this weekend that he's due. Im not using aloe vera spray at the moment but i have a plant (it's a BIG outdoor plant...not the kitchen variety) that I can harvest if it's possible to make a home made application. He's not big on misting/spraying, but i can probably work it in at the end of his bath. Im going to add some calcium to his diet and a bit more protein..probably half an egg this week.
It's mostly that I dont see any pins coming in under the skin and I thought that when they lost a feather it caused a new one to grow. Last fall i could clearly see them and he felt like a pincushion. Ive not had him quite a year yet so between regrowing almost all of his feathers, wings and tail included, over the last 9 months, Im not sure what is molt and what was pluck before I got him.
It's mostly that I dont see any pins coming in under the skin and I thought that when they lost a feather it caused a new one to grow. Last fall i could clearly see them and he felt like a pincushion. Ive not had him quite a year yet so between regrowing almost all of his feathers, wings and tail included, over the last 9 months, Im not sure what is molt and what was pluck before I got him.
Re: feather issues - Plucking
I am happy that you are doing so very much for your Parrot.
Regarding pin feathers on the Back or Chest. This area although important, will be selectively not addresses regarding replacement feathers if the Parrot is addressing Flight Surface feather replacements. Its all about assure the ability to flight as first and foremost.
It is important to watch areas that have been or are currently being plucked. Its all about keeping notes and communication with your CAV. If it becomes six months without seeing 'some' pin feathers, that is worth reporting to your CAV. One of the dangers of plucking is the lost of the feather's root. If this happens, that feather cannot be replaced!
We mist regularly and our DYH Amazon does not like it. It becomes a choice; a momentary unhappy Parrot or chance the permanent loss of feathers.
I am happy that you are doing so very much for your Parrot.
Regarding pin feathers on the Back or Chest. This area although important, will be selectively not addresses regarding replacement feathers if the Parrot is addressing Flight Surface feather replacements. Its all about assure the ability to flight as first and foremost.
It is important to watch areas that have been or are currently being plucked. Its all about keeping notes and communication with your CAV. If it becomes six months without seeing 'some' pin feathers, that is worth reporting to your CAV. One of the dangers of plucking is the lost of the feather's root. If this happens, that feather cannot be replaced!
We mist regularly and our DYH Amazon does not like it. It becomes a choice; a momentary unhappy Parrot or chance the permanent loss of feathers.
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