chris-md
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
- 4,354
- 2,135
- Parrots
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Parker - male Eclectus
Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
Sorry, slight long one
The barbering has begun again, for sure
As you may recall, Parker came to me as a seasonal plucker. He was all down in July, and by September his chest and vent completely feathered out and he was happy as can be with them. The vent area is now downy again and it's creeping up the chest. His flank and back never feathered out and remains downy.
I was contemplating his situation, and realized all the theories on Parkers plucking were wrong. I fixed his diet, he isn't in a busy house, the tv next to him is on for him when we're gone to work for the day.
My biggest realization happened today:
the leading theory is his barbering is due to hormones and I essentially assumed this to be true. Here's the kicker: he's already been hormonal, and there was no plucking.
Now, there is plucking, but absolutely no sign of raging hormones. No biting, no masturbating, no regurg...nothing. He's as sweet as can be!
So here's my though: he might suffer from avian equivalent of seasonal affective disorder. The timing of the start of barbering, at least this year, coincided with the winter solstice. Additionally, our house is darker than the typical house, as was the living room of his previous owner where his cage was kept.
What do you all think? Could some sort of seasonal lack of light lead a parrot to barber? Would there be any other symptoms to guide a diagnosis? FYI he also loves spending time chewing on the feathers he removes.
And sorry about the interchangeable use of plucking and barbering. I know they are different, and I think this is mostly barbering. I just got so used to calling it plucking.
The barbering has begun again, for sure
As you may recall, Parker came to me as a seasonal plucker. He was all down in July, and by September his chest and vent completely feathered out and he was happy as can be with them. The vent area is now downy again and it's creeping up the chest. His flank and back never feathered out and remains downy.
I was contemplating his situation, and realized all the theories on Parkers plucking were wrong. I fixed his diet, he isn't in a busy house, the tv next to him is on for him when we're gone to work for the day.
My biggest realization happened today:
the leading theory is his barbering is due to hormones and I essentially assumed this to be true. Here's the kicker: he's already been hormonal, and there was no plucking.
Now, there is plucking, but absolutely no sign of raging hormones. No biting, no masturbating, no regurg...nothing. He's as sweet as can be!
So here's my though: he might suffer from avian equivalent of seasonal affective disorder. The timing of the start of barbering, at least this year, coincided with the winter solstice. Additionally, our house is darker than the typical house, as was the living room of his previous owner where his cage was kept.
What do you all think? Could some sort of seasonal lack of light lead a parrot to barber? Would there be any other symptoms to guide a diagnosis? FYI he also loves spending time chewing on the feathers he removes.
And sorry about the interchangeable use of plucking and barbering. I know they are different, and I think this is mostly barbering. I just got so used to calling it plucking.