Ragged Feathers

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jaimmorr

jaimmorr

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Jul 21, 2011
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Ricco - Goffin's Cockatoo
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As in, the cage is too small so the bird is rubbing up against the sides too often when playing?
 

PortaPerch

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Apr 28, 2012
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SurfCity, SoCalif
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Chewbaca, F. Galah, h10/10;
Greybeard, M. Congo AG h03/09
Yes, and maybe too much rambunctious bird for a cage. Greybeard puts himself to bed in the open nightcage, and gets out by himself in the morning. We were dutifully locking Chewbaca in another cage, so we could cover her. Then one day not too long ago I noticed her tail feathers were a ragged mess, so now we leave her loose with Greybeard in the spare bathroom. She has gradually migrated to the open cage with Greybeard, where they now sleep wing to wing, and I cover them after they settle down.

Her tail feathers are slowly coming back...

portaperch-albums-perch-picture4242t-p1080392-small.jpg
 

greycloud

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Mar 21, 2010
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Baltimore, MD
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Sammy-Umbrella Too-rescued,
Dexter-CAG-rehomed handicapped,
Sterling-CAG-rehomed retired breeder.
Sunshine-12 yo CAG-adopted
The cockatoo in the pic has been chewing and barbering his feathers. Cage abrasion would not be that extreme in my experience.
 

mtdoramike

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Jan 18, 2011
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Mt. Dora Fl./central Fl.
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11 month old Senegal Parrot - 3 year old SI Eclectus
It's called overpreening and once your bird has started doing it, it's almost impossible to get them to stop. They have several aloe based sprays on the market to help combat the problem. But the couple that I have tried isn't worth the money they charge for them.
 

henpecked

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Dec 12, 2010
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Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
What age is the bird in question ? I have several "teenage" zons who are pretty rough and tumble. They roll around and tussle with each other and their toys. Tail feathers seem to take the worst of it but still they look kind of rough. Nothing like stately mature birds.
 
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jaimmorr

jaimmorr

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Jul 21, 2011
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Ricco - Goffin's Cockatoo
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The bird is an 8 year old Goffin's Cockatoo.
 

greycloud

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Baltimore, MD
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Sammy-Umbrella Too-rescued,
Dexter-CAG-rehomed handicapped,
Sterling-CAG-rehomed retired breeder.
Sunshine-12 yo CAG-adopted
Sometimes all it takes is a change in surroundings and a great diet and there is improvement. A vet check is recommended.
 

henpecked

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Dec 12, 2010
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Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
I second the vet check with a new bird.
 
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jaimmorr

jaimmorr

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Jul 21, 2011
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USA
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Ricco - Goffin's Cockatoo
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The picture is supposed to be goffin? It looks like a U2



No, no, not the picture. The picture is just one I got off the internet to try to give an example of what I was talking about. The one in the picture IS a U2. ;)

And yes, if and when I do get the bird, (see other thread) I will definitely be taking him for a vet appointment.
 

Oedipussrex

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Jun 3, 2012
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Australia
Parrots
Charlie - Galah
I also think that looks like over-preening.

and a reevaluation of the diet could help new feathers come in healthier.

With the aloe sprays, they are good if the cause for the over preening is dry or irritated skin. but itherwise dont have that much effect - you may as well be spraying them with water. --- Though i have found that the only time pickle preens properly is after i give him a shower. so spraying might help.

keep an eye on it that it doesnt get worse. I have known it to develop quickly into picking once they feel like the feathers are so destroyed they have to come out.
 

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