Unhealthy Feather Plucking? Urgent

[Floofy]

My bird Coco has started ripping off feathers and I seriously don't know why I've done everything I can to keep her calm and happy like changing rooms going outside giving her favorite foods, but she still feels the need to rip off feathers, she's began bleeding and I've cleaned it with cotton, a little hydrogen peroxide and Maravilla lotion to clean the wounds and stop the bleeding as well as making sure she has no infection. Any tips for how to help her stop doing it? I've got no ideas and I'm desperate

 

[foxgloveparrot]

Find the reason of the plucking. It could be stress, poor diet, hormones, an infection, or something else. Consult with your avian vet if you can't find the cause. Actually, do that regardless.

 

[Floofy]

Find the reason of the plucking. It could be stress, poor diet, hormones, an infection, or something else. Consult with your avian vet if you can't find the cause. Actually, do that regardless.

I'm afraid there's only one avian vet and it's very far away as well as the fact that I don't have a car which makes me extremely disappointed not knowing what to do

 

[foxgloveparrot]

I'm afraid there's only one avian vet and it's very far away as well as the fact that I don't have a car which makes me extremely disappointed not knowing what to do

You can try consulting with one online, not as good, but you'll get some good advice.

 

[Floofy]

You can try consulting with one online, not as good, but you'll get some good advice.

Any specific ones you might recommend?

 

[foxgloveparrot]

Any specific ones you might recommend?

Not really. I have a vet near me so I've never done it before.

 

[Floofy]

Not really. I have a vet near me so I've never done it before.

I contacted my local vet. On Monday he'll be back he told me to bring her in

 

[Laurasea]

quakers can start self mutilation.

Recommendation aim fir 6 hours or more out if cage time, at least an hour of that cuddle tiime

Lots of frilly paper preen toys, easy to chomp stuff.

How long have you had him? How long has he been plucking? Plucking is a complex issue, once health has bern ruled out.

My only recommendation for bloody areas is use dilute betadine apply several times a day. None of the other stuff you said.

But mutilation must stop. It may take mood altering mrds from veterinarian.

When I rescued Penny she had just started plucking around neck and a little on shoulder. But she was chewing up her feet had nipped the tip off if one toe abd kept her feet bloody. Thankfully coming to live with me, having a huge cage, better diet , and 8 hours out of cage time, and lots if preen toys. Soak feet many times a day in betadine in water. Stopped feet mutilation, stopped plucking shoulders. Neck plucking continues to this day years later but hasn't progressed . She git a full work up the first week home.


You may not be able to stop plucking, but hopefully can reduce. But mutilation must stop.

 

[Laurasea]

Type of preen toys that help mine

Perch with crinkled paper stuffed in it

 

[kme3388]

A vet can run labs, and make sure there is nothing major going on. There are 101 reasons why a parrot will feather pluck. Even if there is something that a vet can determine as the cause. Feather plucking can become habitual. Then you are dealing with a parrot who feather plucks out of habit. It can be incredibly frustrating, and rather heartbreaking. Hang in there! Hopefully things turn around. I hope your vet appointment goes well.

 

[Laurasea]

Stress reduction article

Stress Reduction for Companion Parrots – Pet Birds by Lafeber Co.

To put it bluntly, keeping companion parrots is similar to trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. The fact that they do as well as they do is testimony more to their adaptability than it is to our husbandry efforts.

lafeber.com

Enrichment ideas, share yours

I'm often posting how I use ceiling hooks abd heavy weight fishing line to create what I call an aerial gym. I attach foraging stuff, stuff to chew, and treats to find to keep my flock busy. So now I will share examples to inspire you. Hopefully you all will share yours to inspire me too! this...

www.parrotforums.com

That Perch she is holding already chewed is one mine like . Foraging is great for every parrot and fun to fo together

 

[kme3388]

Also think of sleep, and if you are a night owl (consider moving your parrot to a quiet room). Parrots need lots of sleep. Some more then others. I try to get my Ekkie at least 12 hours of sleep with no interruptions. My conure I try my best to get 8 hours of sleep for. If she hears a peep she’s awake. She’s a better guard then my German Shepherd!!!

 

[Emeral]

My bird Coco has started ripping off feathers and I seriously don't know why I've done everything I can to keep her calm and happy like changing rooms going outside giving her favorite foods, but she still feels the need to rip off feathers, she's began bleeding and I've cleaned it with cotton, a little hydrogen peroxide and Maravilla lotion to clean the wounds and stop the bleeding as well as making sure she has no infection. Any tips for how to help her stop doing it? I've got no ideas and I'm desperate

You are not alone, many have this issue...

How long has this been going on?
Have you noticed what the circumstance were?
Have you read this thread?

Thread 'Plucking: A Search For Answers' https://www.parrotforums.com/threads/plucking-a-search-for-answers.52217/

Please tell us more, the more details, the more our members can help.

 

[HeatherG]

You are not alone, many have this issue...

How long has this been going on?
Have you noticed what the circumstance were?
Have you read this thread?

Thread 'Plucking: A Search For Answers' https://www.parrotforums.com/threads/plucking-a-search-for-answers.52217/

Please tell us more, the more details, the more our members can help.

Yes! Is the plucking completely new? Did she ever pluck or chew off her feathers before? How does her skin look?

Another issue: if you smoke, the tar and nicotine settle on your birds feathers and make them gummy. They can get irritated. Or if you started using a hand lotion and some extra got on her feathers when you pet her.

Birds need baths or showers in plain water to stay clean and comfortable. But if a Quaker is chewing bloody holes, she really needs to go to the vet asap.

Good luck.