Crimson Bellied Conure feather picking

[hummer77]

Does anyone have a feather picking problem? We are using Pluck no more.
The red is coming back up before long he had picked on strand at a time out again.

Any help would be appreciated.

Does anyone use a bubble collar after so many months of trying Pluck no more?

 

[Piasa]

A collar is really hard on a bird, especially a small bird. They are heavy and don't allow a bird to move as freely, fly, or take care of themselves (normal preening, cleaning and maintaining feet and nails). I wouldn't even consider one unless the bird is mutilating.

There are felt capes, sock vests and things of that nature out there to give something for the bird to pick at instead of his feathers.

It is very difficult, but try to figure out why your conure is plucking. Toxins or perfumes in the air, contaminants in water, allergies, disease, something traumatic he can't get away from - all places to start. Also how is his nutrition?

 

[hummer77]

We check all of them and saw a vet, also, he don't like red feathers that is for sure. We might try the vest, when he was at my brothers for 6 days his red came back 40% or more, but in two week time now it is all gone. He stared this in mid jan, when the house was really dry inside air, and we put him by a window sill to sun himself. We feel he might of got his skin to dry. Thank You for your comments and help. Rick

 

[Terry57]

My CBC, Phoe, is a plucker.
He came to us when he was 6 months old , barbering his feathers. That quickly turned into full on plucking. He went to the vet, and though his protein levels were a little low, everything else checked out perfectly. We got the protein levels back up by feeding eggs and tofu...but still he plucks. In his case, his feathers come in crooked, which the vet thinks may have been a nutritional problem during hand feeding.
He has a GCC buddy, and they preen each other and cuddle constantly. Still he plucks.
He plays with his multiple toys, eats chop and fresh veggies better than any bird we have, still he plucks.
We chose not to use a collar or sock as I feel in his case it would interfere with his quality of life.
I hope you are able to get yours to stop, and I wish I had the answer.
Here is Phoe, enjoying his chop

I'm not sure if you have seen this thread, but there is a ton of wonderful info here:
http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/52217-plucking-search-answers.html

 

[KrisandPenelope]

I have a cbc that will pull at her feathers if she is really dry. I noticed she started to pull at her down feathers on her chest when the heat was on full blast. I now bring her into the shower with me for 10-15 mins so that the steam from the shower helps her dryness. So far it seems to be working. I am new to the species but it seems like the Cbc are a little more on the neurotic side when it comes to stress. She was barbering her feathers as an 8 week old. And its been a battle since I've gotten her to try and correct. What helped her was this toy that had feathers on it with beads and she destroys those feathers and pulls the beads off the feathers. A preening toy like that may help your conure.
E-CHOP-TT121 Feather Frazzle by Chopper's - CHOPPER'S TOYS