Help for a bird that plucks their feathers or a heavy molt

I got my new Parrot magazine the other day and it had the most wonderful information about how to help birds that pluck through boredom. This method has been known to stop plucking and additionally prevent permanant follicle damage.

As I read the article, I realised that this method would also have helped Cal SO much when she started her big moult and was so upset and uncomfortable for the first few days. Come her next big moult, I will be prepared.

I will ad-lib from the article itself - here goes!

A teaspoon each of 100% natural rose water and glycerine added to a spray bottle of warm water and shaken well can in some cases, work wonders in preventing a parrot from plucking it's feathers.

Both products work to soothe, heal and lubricate the skin. If the bird is dry and itchy, this safe mixture will draw the focus away. The bird will relax and enjoy preening with the sweet smelling and tasting ingredients.

Rose water offers many benefits, including anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties which sooth and moisturise dry and irritant skin, reduce swelling and will also treat any skin infections, It is also rich with water soluble flavanoids which are natural anti-oxidents with anti-inflammatory properties. As an added bonus, it also provides vitamins A (very important for a successful moult!)C,D,E and B3. Additionally it has essential minerals too.

Rose water increases the blood flow, so when sprayed on the skin, nourishes and strengthens the feather follicles which promotes good quality feather growth.

The scent is used in aromatherapy and is well known for it's relaxation properties. Especially the nervous system.

To make your own rose water, you can take some fresh, scented, pesticide free, red rose petals, and infuse them in very hot distilled water for 45mins. Strain and pour into a sealed jar. Stored in the refrigirator, this can be kept for a few weeks.

Glycerine is a water soluble and a pure natural product that comes from vegetable oil - usually palm or coconut. It contains antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties to compliment the rose water and also is highly hygroscophic (get this guy!!!) which means it absorbs water from the air and retains water wherever it is applied. It naturally softens and moisturises the skin acting in conjunction with the rose water to help strenghthen feathers and shafts.

Both of these products are available at any chemist. Care should be taken that they are only bought in their PUREST form. No preservatives or synthetics should be in them.

Rose water should only contain essential rose oil and distilled water. Glycerine should be 100% pure.

Both are inexpensive to buy and readily available.

I know it is very long winded, but I have put this information safely away for future use. I think it is a wonderful, sensible remedy which I think really could help a parrot if it plucks, has a big moult or even just to improve feather condition. I personally will spray Cal with this in her spray bottle around once a month as a treat for her skin, feathers and taste buds.

Let me know what you think of this!

thanks for the info. right now my Sennie looks like a scruff muffin as i think she is molting. i hope that all it is. she seems to be preening and scratching all day long.
but i don't see how any of this formula could reach the skin through any birds dense feathers.

Does she have sheaths? Little white pins containing new feathers? If so, it is a molt

Also, have you never seen your bird completely wet? lol. Normal water gets to the skin so in turn, this is the same.

"I wish I was a punk rocker with rose water in my "hair" dododo"

awww really cute pic von might try this for my sene nut, she does not like the water spray, but i suppose i could pop some into her water dish when she wants to bath??

Haha, she's quite cute when wet

I don't see why not Sue!

I don't think the mixture would be too sticky with a teaspoon of glycerine or anything lol.

This is great advice. My parrotlet absolutely hates baths and getting wet in general though, even though after it's done and he's all wet he sits and grinds his beak happily. I don't know how to make him enjoy the actual bath itself though. I've tried a glass of water, trickling from the sink, a spray bottle, the gentle setting on my shower...he just does not like any of it.

Like everything else, baby parrots need to be taught about showering! I used to stand in front of Cal and spray the warm water from the bottle into my hands and face and make ooohhh aahhhhh noises whilst smiling. She was unsure at first but I sprayed her a couple of times a day anyway (the second she backed away I'd back off) and said: ooooohhhh isn't that nice? Now she loves it.

Trouble with babies is that they don't deem baths necessary as they have not experienced any molt lol.

Some prefer baths, some prefer sinks, some spray bottles, some human showers....all about finding out what works. Some scaredy birdies or birds who haven't been shown are just happy to bathe in their water bowl lol. Cal will even do this if I am "late" for giving her her daily shower!

lol von i tried that had my son, spray me and nut let us spray her but not till she was wet in any way, so now she will bath herself every 2 to 4 days in her water bowl, and i spray her from above lol

i am thinking of getting a bath you attach to side of the cage?? but dont think she will entertain it lol

Von, You read my mind. I was going to start a thread about feather chewing because Chia seems to be chewing her feathers It doesn't seem to be a molt??? I'm really worried! I am scheduling a vet appointment as soon as I get my next cheque. I have also ruled out boredom since she spends ALL day out of her cage and is NEVER alone (I just don't see how she could be bored...maybe she is I dunno???!!!!) She also has a healthy diet of fruits, veggies, pellets etc.
I'm really worried about her and CONFUSED Three of her tail feathers are chewed off and her chest is starting to show down.....What am I doing wrong here????????
I will try the method you suggested Von and see if that helps.

Well my parrotlet has molted, and he does like BEING wet, he just does not enjoy the process of GETTING wet. I don't he likes the shhhh sound of water. Ah well.

mishykinz lol i now use a little childs watering can nut doesn't seem to mind that, because even when i spray her from above i can tell she is un-certain about the water spray but when i found watering can, she didnt notice, till she saw it above her

wet all over but 1 happy bird, will get rose water an glycerine on fri when i am off work

Ahhh poor Chia

I hope you get paid soon to take her to the vet.

Great idea Suebee, very imaginitive!

Cal got used to the spray bottle so quickly that I didn't have to think of alternatives

Thank you Von Sterretjie definitely needs it cause she is in a SERIOUS molt since Dec. I'll have to add it to her bath thou cause she hates being sprayed.

Sorry about Chia. Maybe she just has itchy skin and it can be fixed fast.

thank you so much for this post well i got some glycerine from boots at the cost of £1.60 an use some in my bath, as nut is happy to join me when i have a bath, well till she feels she's wet enough:11:

well my skin feels fab

and nut is happier with the new bathing arrangements

this is nut after our shared bath, on top of her cage watching the telly screen, son and his friend on the xbox

So glad that Nut had wonderful fun

Amazing for the price, huh?! I never thought of using it on me! Cal can't have a bath with me as the cat usually joins me....I know I know....strange thing!