throwing every tail feather???

[Caesar]

Hi guys and gals,
I have just recently got myself a pair of Eastern Rosella. When the breeder was catching them the female "Threw" all her tail feathers, well that's what the breeder said they do sometimes. But I've never herd of that happening before.
Could the bird be low in some type of vitamins that promote feather stability?
They weren't on a good diet and were housed in the dark in a way small cage at the back of a garden shed.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

 

[Dinosrawr]

By throw, I'm assuming you mean they just came off? We actually had a member with a sun conure who did the same thing at the vet - I think it's a natural reaction to stress and fear of being caught by a predator.

 

[Sterling1113]

Most small parrots, grass keets and relatives are "prey birds", so they have to have some sort of defense. Most commonly it's the loss of tail feathers, sort of how a lizard will drop it's tail to avoid being eaten. These birds probably see humans as something that wants to hunt and eat them, with enough time and patience to show them that humans are okay, I don't think you'll have to worry about dropping feathers anymore.

 

[riddick07]

This happened to my one cockatiel. I went to pick him up and his tail got caught on something when he was turning around. I guess he thought something had grabbed him and he dropped all his tail feathers. He looked really funny for awhile

The breeder could have also grabbed the tail trying to catch him and either pulled the feathers out or the bird dropped them in fright.

 

[MomtoPercy]

Yes, it was little Boomer who lost her tail at the vets.
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures...ected-vet.html?highlight=lost,+tail,+feathers

Your baby's feather should grow back without any problems. Like others have said, it can happen due to stress and trying to escape from something.

 

[Birdbrain91]

Ejecting their tail feathers is a defense mechanism. If a predator grabs them by the tail they can and will eject them all to get away.

I have seen this at the rescue that I volunteer at. We had a Quaker escape flying around and when we caught him in the bird net all his tail feather were on the ground. It doesn't always mean they are unhealthy. They will all grow back.

 

[Caesar]

Thanks for all the feed back from you guys . But just to be sure I went and got some moulting drops for the birds water to be on the safe side.
My Eckie is starting his first mould and I hope its not the dreaded Mojo moult.I would cry...
I'm pretty sure that that moult begins at about 2 years of age.

 

[BoomBoom]

By throw, I'm assuming you mean they just came off? We actually had a member with a sun conure who did the same thing at the vet - I think it's a natural reaction to stress and fear of being caught by a predator.

That member is me haha! My sun conure, Boomer, released them all as an escape mechanism when the vet handled him. He grew them out in a month. To help your bird, just provide lots of vitamin A in the form of fruits, veggies or supplements like red palm oil.