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Post by voitty on Oct 3, 2013 9:20:53 GMT 10
Hi, My 2 year old Alexandrine parrot has started chewing all of his feathers. He is basicly nibbling them down to the shaft mainly on his tail & back. I have tried mite spray and currently spraying him with anti-pick spray but not sure how successful it is. He eats well and gets a nice variety of fruit & veg, gets taken out of the cage frequently and also has lots of toys to keep him entertained. He also shares his cage with male ringneck who is a bit bossy but they both get along well. The ringnecks feathers are pristine and I have never seen him touch or nibble the Alexandrines feathers so not really sure what to make of his nibbling. Could it have anything to do with maulting. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Post by avinet on Oct 5, 2013 10:55:04 GMT 10
Hi, My 2 year old Alexandrine parrot has started chewing all of his feathers.
I have an 18 year old male Alex that does the same at this time of year. For many years he just chewed the tail and some of the wing feathers, leaving the quill untouched, as breeding season approached, and after the summer moult he left them alone until the next spring and hormone burst. So with him it was a hormonal breeding season problem. This year after having that behaviour for many years he has gone further and basically removed all the green feathers he can reach, apart from some flight feathers. He isn't plucking them since no regrowth occurs, he is biting them off close to the skin. Not a pretty sight  I am hoping that when he commences moulting in a month or two he will regrow his full set of feathers and leave them alone, at least until next spring. So given your bird is 2 years old and getting the first flush of breeding season hormones his feather damage behaviour is likely a hormone related problem. Hopefully when he moults at the end of spring he will regain his green appearance and maybe next year, when he may have better control over those teenage hormones, he won't indulge in destructive behaviour. cheers, Mike |
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Post by voitty on Oct 5, 2013 23:01:43 GMT 10
Thanks for that, he is such a beautiful bird when he has his new feathers. I thought it was likely that was moulting but just wanted to make sure.
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Post by avinet on Oct 6, 2013 20:55:45 GMT 10
Thanks for that, he is such a beautiful bird when he has his new feathers. I thought it was likely that was moulting but just wanted to make sure. It isn't moulting but very likely hormones with the spring breeding season upon us. Moulting, when it happens in a month or two, will hopefully get him back to full feathers. cheers, Mike |
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I am hoping that when he commences moulting in a month or two he will regrow his full set of feathers and leave them alone, at least until next spring.