Our IRN will not stop plucking his feathers

[Jamie]

Hi All

We've had our IRN for just over 2 weeks. He's 3 months old bu over the past few days has been plucking his feathers which we've notices as they are all over the downstairs rooms. He appears to be itching and I'l like to know if there is any reason why he he's pulling his feathers out and will they grow back. Should I take him to the vets or spay him with something. Do I need to spay him with water to bath him maybe once a week or so.

All advice welcome as I'm afraid he will have no feathers left at this rate.

Thanks

Jamie

 

[Bobby34231]

It could be diet related, stress related or a number of other things, at 3 months old you can pretty much rule out molting, a trip to your avian vet would probably be your best bet if the feather loss is that severe, good luck

 

[antoinette]

Oh your poor baby, so young and plucking his feathers.
Please take the bird to a avian vet a.s.a.p., as Bobby mentioned it could be a number of things.
Good luck, please keep us posted

 

[greycloud]

Yes, at 3 months it would not behavioral. Vet check recommended. They should do some bloodwork and skin scrapings. Make sure you are not feeding food with artificial colorings.

 

[Mel]

I agree with the vet visit. As the others have said it's too young for molting and there are so many reasons this could be occuring = diet, parasites, stress and so on. Please keep us posted

 

[Jamie]

Hi

My wife is going to the local pet store today to ask for advice, they also have a vet and will make an appointment, speaking to a freind we need to bath him (which we haven't done), he may be bored or his diet and stress could be the cause as well as mites. We'll see what happens to the poor little fella and I'll post an update soon.

Thanks

Jamie

 

[wildheart]

Halo Jamie

I am sorry about your IRN's condition. Please never take advice from a pet store - they just help you into the ground. You dont have to bump your head, I promise you ALL OF US has already done it for you. Nothing good has ever come from a pet shop employee's advice.

Because your IRN is still so small I really think that only an AVIAN vet will be able to help you. When they start plucking it needs to be stopped immediately otherwise it turns into a habit that has almost no cure. A normal vet will also not be able to diagnose her correctly - although they say they can. Once again we've all been down that road as well with almost no success.

I dont bath my IRN, she does not like to be in the shower either. She's got a big dish on top of her cage that she baths in almost every morning.

I really pray that you locate an Avian vet as soon as possible.

 

[wildheart]

Here are links to websites that have loads of information.

Indian Ringneck Parakeet, IRNs, Ringneck Parakeet, Rose Ringed Parrot, Rose Ringed Parakeet

Bird Information

Indian Ringneck Parrots: Comprehensive information on this bird species, including origin, distribution and range, physical description and photos, diet and feeding, breeding and courtship behaviorrmation Page and Photos

 

[wildheart]

Here is one that is specifically about bathing:

Parrot Grooming

Bathing

Regular bathes are essential for your bird to have healthy, vibrant plumage and will also help to keep dust down produced by some species. Some birds are more enthusiastic about bathing than others so several techniques may need to be tried to find which your bird prefers, they should have the opportunity to bath at least once a week preferably more, especially in hot weather. Only plain water should ever be used, lotions and potions are unnecessary and possibly harmful.


Some will readily bathe themselves either in or out of the cage if they are given a shallow bowl of warm water. Several of the parrots I work with take a bath in their water bowls as soon as I place fresh water in them the water should be changed right after so they have clean water to drink. Placing a treat in the water can help to entice your bird in if it seems reluctant, never force your bird to bath in a bowl of water if it doesn't want to. Bathing can be an exciting time for them therefore it may be a good idea to allow your bird a few minutes to calm down afterward to avoid any over-excited nippiness.



Other birds don't feel so comfortable bathing in an open bowl of water introducing them to bathing by misting is a great way to get them used to it, use a clean sprayer that has had no chemicals in it, a new one that has been washed out would be ideal. Start with a fine mist and change the force of it until you find one your bird prefers, I've found a relatively coarse spray that is aimed above the bird so it falls like rain is preferred even by the most reluctant bathers. An alternative to the sprayer is to take your bird into the shower, there are perches that can be fitted to the walls of the shower while these work for more confident birds, nervous birds would prefer to be on your arm where they'd feel more comfortable and under less of a threat. As your bird gets used to being sprayed it will spread its wings and tail to catch as mush water as possible, how much to spray your bird will depend on them, some love to be soaked while others prefer to get slightly damp.



Baths in the morning or early afternoon are best, allowing the birds feathers to dry completely before it settles down for the night and it gets cooler.

 

[Jamie]

Thanks to all for your advice, he petshop sold my wife some solution (money making), but I guess I'll have to go to the vets very soon.

God bless

Jamie

 

[AndrewH]

Pet shop won't know anything. Glad you're still going to the vet. Good luck!

 

[Vivica]

Good luck, I know I have some "bath time" spray for my bird and "mites" spray for him, but it's really best to have a professional look at him.