Help To Stop Feather Plucking?

[AngelAndMe]

I recently brought home a female Eclectus and she's been feather plucking a lot. She plucked the majority of feathers that are gone before she came home with me, but she's continuing to do so.

I think there could be two causes: She had recently laid an unfertilized egg, and so she's hormonal right now. Secondly, she's always been fed a strictly pellet diet, and so while I'm switching her to a healthier, more well rounded diet with fruits and vegetables and seeds, she's still focusing on the small amount of pellets I give her.

How can I get her to stop plucking her feathers before it becomes a habit, if it hasn't already. And if it has already become a habit, how can I break it?

 

[melbourned]

Wish I had something to offer. I have two male
Eclectus who are both pickers. Rescued both about 3 years ago.
They are well adjusted, loving birds. I feed then Volkman's Eclectus Diet and supplement with fresh fruit and vegetables daily. Our vet feels they're both healthy and doing well but doesn't the picking will stop. Love these guys, just wish they could be as beautiful as their heads.:21:

 

[Selestine]

Here is a great link specifically about plucking in eclectus: featherdestruction

Make sure she has enough things to keep her occupied and knows -how- to play with them. Not all birds know how to play independently. You can try giving her a toy made of feathers that she can redirect her want of feathers to.

You can give her baths in case her skin is itchy / irritated and that is leading to plucking (plus, they just need regular baths anyway).

They sell plucking "clothes" for birds that protect the chest and back feathers until they grow back in. Might possibly help her kick the habit if she can't pluck for a while?

And switching her off of a pelleted diet is fantastic. As you already seem to know, pellets aren't good for ekkies and bad diet can lead to wing flipping, toe tapping -and- feather plucking.

 

[AngelAndMe]

This is all really good information, Thank you!

 

[drlisaort]

I'm so sorry your angel is plucking. I had a Cockatiel who plucked...and lived 23 years...now after the fact, I realize so many mistakes I made. First, I was afraid to bring him out after my first child was born for fear he'd fly away. Also, I fed him strictly seed. I think both of those situations led to his plucking. Oh, and I never ever gave him a shower...didn't know you were supposed to. I really felt bad when I learned years later what I did wrong. But you have a chance with Angel because she's so young....

 

[Mango121913]

If you catch her plucking, try to get her attention away from it. Maybe, toys or just talking to her. Once she's on a healthy diet and likes toys introduce her to something else to get her thinking of playing or talking. I would also bathe her and see if that calms the urge.