Feather concern

[BirdyBee]

I'll also be making a thread on diet soon!

 

[Skarila]

Surprised no one mentioned, tips of feathers tend to turn black due to wear and tear, lots of handling. The oil from our hands can blacken the tips of the feathers.

Also the feathers tend to get the dull look right before the big moult. Seeing you have a 5 month old gcc, possible the little fella will moult soon. If the feathers did not grow like this but blackened afterwards, there is nothing to worry about.

 

[BirdyBee]

Surprised no one mentioned, tips of feathers tend to turn black due to wear and tear, lots of handling. The oil from our hands can blacken the tips of the feathers.

Also the feathers tend to get the dull look right before the big moult. Seeing you have a 5 month old gcc, possible the little fella will moult soon. If the feathers did not grow like this but blackened afterwards, there is nothing to worry about.

Discolouration can also be caused my poor diet, as they diet they were feeding her isn't that good(though they are busy giving her a better diet!).

 

[Skarila]

Discolouration can also be caused my poor diet, as they diet they were feeding her isn't that good(though they are busy giving her a better diet!).

As said, bad diet will show on newly grown feathers rather on old feathers, meaning if a freshly grown feather has black along the side of the feather, that is from diet, unlike the very tips

Here is a prime example of discolouration due to bad diet, see how it goes from the shaft. (faded black tips on the wings is completely normal)

 

[BirdyBee]

As said, bad diet will show on newly grown feathers rather on old feathers, meaning if a freshly grown feather has black along the side of the feather, that is from diet, unlike the very tips

Here is a prime example of discolouration due to bad diet, see how it goes from the shaft. (faded black tips on the wings is completely normal)

View attachment 33978

I see. I did some research and black tips can also be cause by too much fat(cholesterol) in blood. I think she should have her blood tested (2-3 times with a 2-3month period in-between each test to make sure the results are accurate) to see if it's actually diet related. But it's still important that she switches her bird to a healthier diet, to prevent other problems

 

[BirdyBee]

I see. I did some research and black tips can also be cause by too much fat(cholesterol) in blood. I think she should have her blood tested (2-3 times with a 2-3month period in-between each test to make sure the results are accurate) to see if it's actually diet related. But it's still important that she switches her bird to a healthier diet, to prevent other problems

*it also depends on whether your species have discoloration on the feather tips

 

[PeachestheGCC]

Surprised no one mentioned, tips of feathers tend to turn black due to wear and tear, lots of handling. The oil from our hands can blacken the tips of the feathers.

Also the feathers tend to get the dull look right before the big moult. Seeing you have a 5 month old gcc, possible the little fella will moult soon. If the feathers did not grow like this but blackened afterwards, there is nothing to worry about.

We do handle her quite a bit... she loves being on our shoulders, inside our hoodies, under blankets, she cuddles up to our necks/faces, she lays on her back on our hands (which is where I think the oils in our hands might have done something). She's also going through a molt right now! We got her November 26th 2021 & the breeder said she's been molting for a week.. so she started November 19th. Not sure how long she'll molt though, she's lost a bunch of baby feathers & her first tailfeather yesterday!!

As pipp said, we are transitioning her to a new diet as we messed up & had it wrong! She's been eating nothing but veg chop & a few treats the past few days. We are giving her fruit 2x a week. Her new pellets will be here this upcoming week, so hopefully she transitions well.

 

[BirdyBee]

We do handle her quite a bit... she loves being on our shoulders, inside our hoodies, under blankets, she cuddles up to our necks/faces, she lays on her back on our hands (which is where I think the oils in our hands might have done something). She's also going through a molt right now! We got her November 26th 2021 & the breeder said she's been molting for a week.. so she started November 19th. Not sure how long she'll molt though, she's lost a bunch of baby feathers & her first tailfeather yesterday!!

As pipp said, we are transitioning her to a new diet as we messed up & had it wrong! She's been eating nothing but veg chop & a few treats the past few days. We are giving her fruit 2x a week. Her new pellets will be here this upcoming week, so hopefully she transitions well.

It's ok to give her the unhealthy pellets for now, you can always keep the zupreem for teats. it's important to not only give veggies

 

[PeachestheGCC]

As said, bad diet will show on newly grown feathers rather on old feathers, meaning if a freshly grown feather has black along the side of the feather, that is from diet, unlike the very tips

Here is a prime example of discolouration due to bad diet, see how it goes from the shaft. (faded black tips on the wings is completely normal)

View attachment 33978

Hers aren't really black like that all over.. hers are just on the tips. So maybe it is just from the oils in our hands? Still getting her on a better diet though lol. Thank you guys for the replies, very helpful information! 😊

 

[PeachestheGCC]

It's ok to give her the unhealthy pellets for now, you can always keep the zupreem for teats

Ope, guess I forgot to say I have been giving her just a PINCH of the zupreem pasta blend mixed with her veg chop. She's currently demolishing a plate 🤣 she gets her fruits 2x a week (Sundays & wednesdays) she gets 1 avicake after vegetables. & treats throughout the day.

 

[BirdyBee]

that's alright! just don't overfeed avicakes(although I know you are still transitioning her), as it does contain sugar and fillers☺️

 

[PeachestheGCC]

Update: her new pellets arrive Thursday. Her diet is getting better & she's enjoying chop more & more. She's still getting a little bit of zupreem pasta blend pellets until the Tops arrives. She gets fruits on sundays & wednesdays. She's been getting 1 avicake every other day now. She gets millet, Higgins true fruit treats & a few seeds as treats throughout the day. Her weight last time I posted was 63.5 grams now she's at 65.5 grams as of today.

Her feathers still worry us as they look pretty ragged 😕 should we just call our CAV? I'd like to get bloodwork done just to be sure of anything, but we're kinda tight on money.. but if it needs to be done we will! What do you guys think? @Pippentiel @Skarila

 

[BirdyBee]

hi, It'll take a while for her feathers to get better, probably on the next molt. If your tight on money, I'd recommend having her blood tested only it the feathers haven't changed after diet change and next molt

 

[PeachestheGCC]

hi, It'll take a while for her feathers to get better, probably on the next molt. If your tight on money, I'd recommend having her blood tested only it the feathers haven't changed after diet change and next molt

Thanks pipp! 😊

 

[BirdyBee]

no problem! If you need them, I have a thread on parrot health and another on cages 😁

 

[Skarila]

hi, It'll take a while for her feathers to get better, probably on the next molt. If your tight on money, I'd recommend having her blood tested only it the feathers haven't changed after diet change and next molt

I agree with this one, exactly what my vet suggested when I got my Pascal, his feathers were in a terrible condition. Luckily after his moult he is one handsome boy. And a little fatso.

@PeachestheGCC just make sure your gcc isn't losing weight

 

[PeachestheGCC]

I agree with this one, exactly what my vet suggested when I got my Pascal, his feathers were in a terrible condition. Luckily after his moult he is one handsome boy. And a little fatso.

@PeachestheGCC just make sure your gcc isn't losing weight

Great to hear! Makes us feel better! 😄 we weigh her once daily, she's been gaining weight at a good pace. Thank you guys a bunch!

 

[Hibiscus]

Been noticing her feathers are turning black on the tips & not sure what's causing it.

Her diet is fine I think? She eats mixed fruits in the mornings, then lafebers avicakes for breakfast/lunch then a vege chop mixed with a little zupreem pasta blend pellets for dinner & when she's done with that she gets 2 Nutriberries with a little more avicakes for the rest of the night until bed. I follow the feeding instructions on the bags of food too. She eats every time we feed her & not just a little.. She goes HAM. She goes to bed at 9 pm & wakes up at 9 am. She WILL NOT go to bed any earlier & wakes up the same time every morning.

She acts perfectly normal, poops are normal, doesn't seem to stress about anything (besides not getting enough scritches lol)

she's a very affectionate birb & always wants cuddles & scritches. She loves laying on her back in our hands, crawling through our hoodies. She also sleeps in a triangle happy hut that I made her every night. Is this possibly from the oils on our hands & her roughing around her cage?

We recently went to a CAV & he said she was perfectly fine & healthy & that she's just rough on her feathers cause she's young & doesn't know any better.. we are new bird parents & are trying to do everything right for her & hoping there isn't something wrong.
View attachment 33842

 

[AnimaliaPrime]

That's normal, especially for a youngster. It's basically "damaged" feathers from playing too hard! LOL My GCC had that for over a year--different areas. As your bird moults and gets new feathers the current blackened ones will disappear, but more may appear. But she should grow out of it. My GCC was very active and climbing all over her cage and playstand and banging into her toys and rolling around and stuff. Nothing to worry about.

 

[BirdyBee]

Here is the threads on diet, cage size etc. :

Parrot diet

Parrot diet is one of the most important part when it come to their well-being. Did you know that 30% of unwanted behaviors can be fixed with diet alone? yes, that's true! What should you feed your bird? This varies from specie to specie. African greys need a slightly higher diet in calcium...

www.parrotforums.com

What size a bird cage should be, how to set it up, etc

A bird's cage is like a room is for you. They shouldn't be left in there all day, but instead they should use it when they want to eat, play with their toys, sleep, etc. or when you can't supervise them. Birds need to get at least 2-3 hours outside of their cage. Cage size This is one of the...

www.parrotforums.com

Signs of a sick bird/how to know when they need an avian vet

Being able to tell if your bird is sick can save their lives. As prey animals, they need to be able to hide their illnesses, because if they look vulnerable, they are more likely to be hunted by predators. If you notice that your bird is ill, please try to get them to an avian vet as soon as...

www.parrotforums.com