Help! White things all over my bird for years

[yuko]

I know that there are these things that when your bird is growing new feathers a white 'shell' surrounds it until your bird chews it off or it falls.. but they have been there for years and they won't budge; i don't want to hut my bird please help! they are all over him now in his neck area and i don't think it is healthy.... help please on how to remove or fix this! thank you for any help i really need it

 

[SailBoat]

I believe that I know what you are talking about, but to save time, a photo will help greatly.

 

[wrench13]

This thread is less than useful without a close up pic. PLease take some and post them so we can offer informed advice.

 

[Sunnyclover]

If they have been there for years and you're worried does that mean your bird has not been to the vet in years? If you have taken the bird to a vet then presumably you'd have mentioned it to the vet because you are worried. If I were you i would take your bird to a wellness check up like you should be doing AT LEAST on a yearly basis and ask the vet about it then

 

[ChristaNL]

Interesting.. if they've been there for years does that mean you bird does not shed its feathers at all?


If you mean the waxy shell that is wrapped around the new feathers - just run your fingers between the feathers and it will flake away.
My greys absolutely love it when I peel that stuf of.
(just not the newest ones- that is still sensitive because of growing feather/ easy to tell: those are more bendy and not yet brittle to the touch)


But I agree: pictures first - than we can really talk business

 

[itzjbean]

When was his last bath, shower, misting? Regular bathing can help with feather issues such as these, though it may be wise in this sort of situation to bring him to a vet for a wellness check, possibly something may be happening that you can't see, and a vet will be able to help relieve him of those pins.

 

[EllenD]

I can't imagine that "pin-feathers", or the same pin-feathers, have been on a bird for years...I've not ever heard of pin-feathers growing in and then just staying in that form without shedding their sheath and the feather coming-through for "years"...

While it's not unusual for a bird to be "coated" with pin-feathers all at one time when they're molting, 'tis the season, it is very unusual for the exact same, immature feathers to not come-through, but rather to stay inside the sheaths for that long a period of time...this would also result in your bird developing bald-spots where his down feathers would be showing-through as well...

Could you please post some photos of your bird, close-ups of what you're talking about when you say that these "white things" have been there "for years"? And did you mean that every year these "white-things" develop and pop-up new, or did you mean that he's had the exact same "white-things" present for years, like the showed-up and then never went away?

 

[GaleriaGila]

I'm baffled. Yes, an avian vet opinion would really reassure me. It's just good to have one "in the wings" (that pun never gets old!) in the event of emergencies!

 

[yuko]

When was his last bath, shower, misting? Regular bathing can help with feather issues such as these, though it may be wise in this sort of situation to bring him to a vet for a wellness check, possibly something may be happening that you can't see, and a vet will be able to help relieve him of those pins.

yea we give him baths usually 1 or more times a week; and i will post pics guys sorry that i dont know how to add them considering i joined this site LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO. ;-;

 

[yuko]

I can't imagine that "pin-feathers", or the same pin-feathers, have been on a bird for years...I've not ever heard of pin-feathers growing in and then just staying in that form without shedding their sheath and the feather coming-through for "years"...

While it's not unusual for a bird to be "coated" with pin-feathers all at one time when they're molting, 'tis the season, it is very unusual for the exact same, immature feathers to not come-through, but rather to stay inside the sheaths for that long a period of time...this would also result in your bird developing bald-spots where his down feathers would be showing-through as well...

Could you please post some photos of your bird, close-ups of what you're talking about when you say that these "white things" have been there "for years"? And did you mean that every year these "white-things" develop and pop-up new, or did you mean that he's had the exact same "white-things" present for years, like the showed-up and then never went away?

hes never had bald spots, and i mean the same ones not new ones every year.

 

[Flboy]

Hang in there, we will work together to get your baby good!

 

[Terry57]

When was his last bath, shower, misting? Regular bathing can help with feather issues such as these, though it may be wise in this sort of situation to bring him to a vet for a wellness check, possibly something may be happening that you can't see, and a vet will be able to help relieve him of those pins.

yea we give him baths usually 1 or more times a week; and i will post pics guys sorry that i dont know how to add them considering i joined this site LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO. ;-;

Here is a link to help you add pics There is some alternative advice that is very helpful on the last page of this thread as well.

http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

 

[EllenD]

Okay, so he's had the SAME white-spots for years...yeah, we need photos, as that's odd for pin-feathers...

 

[yuko]

K here r the pics! Do you see what I mean? The little white tubes in his head and face

 

[chris-md]

Totally pin feathers, honestly nothing to worry about. How old is your bird?

Total cutie by the way!

 

[Flboy]

Oh thank you for posting those pictures! Your baby is 100% safe those are totally normal new feathers growing in!

 

[BoomBoom]

Normal! The pin feathers might seem like they never goaway because you probably notice them when they're most prominent - but they do go away. A pin feather starts small and plump then grows longer and drier, like a straw. At that point, you can help him by pinching it gently between your fingers till it crumbles. Do not touch if it's small and plump like it's full of fluid - those aren't ready yet. Frequent baths or showers or misting, whichever he prefers will also help.

 

[Sunnyclover]

Those are pin feathers as everyone said already. However, I'm so confused as to why you think they haven't gone away in years because they should only be there for a few weeks at most because they naturally are rubbed off. Your bird can't constantly have them all over his body because that's just not how feathers work. He must have not had pin feathers most of his life... I'm sorry but I'm very confused.

 

[Sunnyclover]

Also, can you just pet him and give him scratches on the head? Or does he not allow it? That will make them go away. My 2 conures never have so many pins that stick out so much that I can actually see them, I usually only feel them. I'm guessing this is because of all the scratches and cuddles.

 

[SailBoat]

One of the most common beliefs is that Birds only replace Feathers once or twice a year. That for the most part is true. But, Birds adjust to changes in the Weather and as a result, Body Feathers can be added or lost depending on need. Like everyone above has stated, this is common.