Moisturizer for bare parrot skin?

I have several pluckers. Most of them are coming along very nicely and don't need additional care (other than what I am already doing).

James however (completely bare BG macaw) has plucked himself to the bare skin for 14 years. After he has started his psychofarmica, he is doing so well, that he hasn't plucked a feather or down for quite a number of months.



The issue he now faces is his skin is a bit tough and the new down and feathers can't really break through the quite tough skin. I help him out as best I can by pushing some of the pins through, but it's not very comfortable for him- firstly that they can't break through- secondly having me to push and tug at the skin to get the blackhead-like (not black but white) gunk out before the feather can come through. The places the pins goes straight through, there's no "plug" in the skin.

I have been rubbing his skin with aloe directly from the plant, but it doesn't seem to keep the moisture for very long (a few hours at most).

I am looking to find some sort of moisturizer, which will keep the skin moisturized for longer, but still safe enough for his skin and if he should lick it off, not have any adverse effect on his digestion.

Does any of you have any idea of what could be safe to use directly on bare skin?

Last year I took my bird in and the vet said he had dry skin which is expected because of where I live, but she suggested putting vitamin d oil into a spray bottle full of warm water and spritzing him down with that.

Owlet said:

Last year I took my bird in and the vet said he had dry skin which is expected because of where I live, but she suggested putting vitamin d oil into a spray bottle full of warm water and spritzing him down with that.

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Great recommendation from your Vet. Only concern is the source of the Vitamin D Oil. The goal is to avoid chemically produced version as there can be serious issues with chemicals used and the resulting compounds that result.

As commented on above, the same is very true for 'moisturizer.' Plus, there are a ton of other additives that not listed! As a general recommendation, avoid moisturizer.

It is a waste of time apply anything to the lower legs and claws of Parrots as those areas have thicker skin to limit transfer. Plus, you greatly increase the likelihood of the Parrot licking these areas.

I believe that you are speaking about the area above the lower leg where Parrots naturally have feathers. This area as all areas that are naturally feathers are prone to becoming dry without feathers and misting is very helpful. But one must be careful as too much causes other problems (temperature control, etc...) and the very act cause increase problems with dry skin.

The real solution is to increase the Humidity in the area that the Parrot lives. As Humidity reaches the normal level (for the Parrot), dry skin problems decrease rapidly.

The down side of using aloe is that it tends to build-up if not regularly washed (bathing).

I am not aware of the practice of popping open the skin opening (plug), so I have no opinion regarding this practice. Yet another item to add to my list of questions for our CAV.

I have heard of people using coconut oil on the skin of mammals, and of people using it on the beaks and feet of parrots. Perhaps it could also be used for this situation? I know it is often used for canine skin problems(for example as part of a larger treatment plan for mange).

I would concentrate on working from inside out - re diet, plenty of Vit A givers. Add a little coconut oil a few times a week to the food if it is liked?

I totally agree with Sailboat that the humidity your bird lives in needs to be increased, rather than starting to put ANY TYPES of lotions or oils on your bird's skin. Try a good few weeks of increasing the humidity of the room he's in first (using a regular humidifier in his room will work wonders) BEFORE you try any oils or lotions, because they typically just tend to build-up on the bird's skin very quickly and then you cause all kinds of new and fun issues that can prevent his feathers from growing-in, along with secondary-skin issues...

***The fact that your bird has Sebum-plugs in his Feather-Follicles is a great worry, and YOU SHOULD NOT EVER POP-THEM OUT LIKE YOU ARE DOING!!!! I know you mean well and are trying to help his feathers grow back-in, but there are two serious issues here, #1 Why are there plugs of Sebum in his Feather-Follicles/skin pores to begin with (NOT NORMAL AT ALL), and #2 You are going to end-up causing him a Secondary Bacterial Infection or Infections in his skin/Feather-Follicles if you keep doing what you are doing!!! This is no different than a person who is constantly popping pimples, infected hair-follicles on their arms, legs, etc., they end-up causing themselves to develop widespread Folliculitis, which is actually what it sounds like is wrong with your bird to begin with and the reason he has Sebum in his Feather-Follicles in the first place. Feather-Follicles are very much like our hair-follicles in their function, and if there is Sebum plugging them there is something not right, usually it's due to either Folliculitis, or an infection (usually Bacterial) of the Follicles, or it's due to an allergy etc.

***Also, there is a very good chance that if you increase the humidity in the room your bird lives in with a Humidifier, this will not only help with his very dry skin, but it will also probably help to treat and stop the Folliculitis that is causing him the problems in the first place...

https://www.avifood.com/en/Avifood-Care-line/


The Spray for irritated skin and also the Shower for maintenance of skin and feathers.



Have a look

Hello. What is psychofarmica?