need help macaw feather/sheath

serge_09 · Jun 19, 2014

so i can see lola is molting and lots of new sheaths coming through on her head and back.

i noticed one of the larger feathers on her back was coming through kind of split so ive located the sheath which is breaking away nicely round the outside but it seems that there is something hard on the inside of it disrupting the feathers growth and making it grow split up.

i tried to give it a gentle scratch as i would with the sheath coating and she didn't like it one bit, she gave me the turn around growl that means enough. The regular sheath on the outside she is happy for me to scratch at but whatever this thing is in the middle she is having none of

does anyone have any idea what this is?

thanks

lewis

Mekaisto · Jun 19, 2014

I'm not really sure what it is, but from her reaction it sounds like it's sensitive, so it probably has nerves and a blood supply. I'd just wait and see what happens, it might be a normal feather, it might not. Unless it's bleeding, there's no need to be worried about it

serge_09 · Jun 19, 2014

mekaisto, i was abit thrown when i saw it. couldn't really figure out what it could be. shes in at the vets on Monday to have her nails clipped so if its still there then ill get him to have a quick look, hopefully its nothing just wanted to make sure it wasnt a known thing that needed looking at asap

thanks

kendrafitz · Jun 20, 2014

Hi Lewis,
My GW has those on all of her larger feathers. The outer sheath and the inner piece, which the feather is formed around. (I think mekaisto is correct, it is blood/nerves). As the feather grows out, it should dry up. Then she will remove it. If you mess with it too much and it's not ready yet, it may start bleeding. Plus, it will hurt her. But it's normal, at least with my girl.

goalerjones · Jun 21, 2014

Baths can help also to soften the casings.

need help macaw feather/sheath

serge_09

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Mekaisto

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goalerjones

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