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Post by flannelflowerros on Oct 15, 2013 18:49:58 GMT 10
Hello, Perhaps somebody can assist in diagnosing the feather problem with our bird as pictured,any help would be greatly appreciated. Her large feathers have started to come out and being replaced by down type feathers. Regards  |
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Post by avinet on Oct 15, 2013 21:57:42 GMT 10
Hello, Perhaps somebody can assist in diagnosing the feather problem with our bird as pictured,any help would be greatly appreciated. Her large feathers have started to come out and being replaced by down type feathers. Regards Hi and welcome to the Forum The down feathers have always been there, covered over by the cover feathers you normally see. The reason the visible cover feathers are disappearing is because she is either plucking the feathers out, or biting them off close to the skin. Which is occurring can be determined by rubbing your finger along the skin in the damaged areas against the grain of the feathers. If you feel little spiky feathers close to the skin she is biting the feathers close to the skin. If it feels pretty smooth then she is plucking them out - and that is more likely. A reason for feather loss you might come across is Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) which is a virus that can cause feathers to fall out. However your bird does not have that disease. Cockatoos with PBFD have a black shiny beak - yours has a nicely whitish beak due to production of feather dust - PBFD birds stop producing this dust. Apart from the self-inflicted feather damage she looks healthy. The cause of feather mutilation are many and varied - sometimes it can be a parasite problem, but that is not common. Diet can be another cause, so perhaps you can tell us what she gets to eat daily. Sometimes it can be a hormone issue connected with the breeding season - especially in females, and it is breeding season so that could be a reason - how long has she been doing this? Allergies can be a cause, and recent work in the USA suggests this may be more common as a cause than previously appreciated. Allergies are a big area to try to sort out, but cigarette smoke for instance is a known cause of plucking as can low level zinc toxicity from chewing on galvanised aviary wire.. Internal pain may also cause plucking - but it is rare. Most commonly it seems to be a psychological problem, perhaps stress, or boredom, so has she been in an environment where she might be getting stressed - things like a new dog or cat, or even a new bird. Or does she have enough toys in her aviary and enough things to chew - fresh branches with foliage etc. Looking at the photo she seems to be in an aviary with no signs of toys or fresh chew material - if that is so then that alone could be the cause! Does she get enough human companionship - is she a tame bird, and does she have other birds in with her. All these things need to be considered, but in many cases it is not possible to find a reason, and in many case sit is not possible to stop the damage once it has started. It is one of the most frustrating problems we come across with pet parrots. A couple of good sites to look at are www.birdchannel.com/bird-feather-picking.aspx and www.featherpicking.com/Basics_of_FP.htm - both well worth reading. Generally the first step in trying to find the cause is to take the bird to an avian vet - note it has to be a good avian vet since most normal vets will be of little help. The avian vet will be able to eliminate any disease cause and discuss with you in some detail about the diet and environment of the bird and if necessary make suggestions to improve that. If you tell us where you live then we may be able to suggest a good vet near you if you don't already have an avian vet you use. If you can give us answers to some of the questions above then we might be able to offer more advice - and general photos of her aviary would be helpful as well cheers, Mike |
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Post by flannelflowerros on Oct 16, 2013 14:22:20 GMT 10
Hi, I have felt the chest & wings, but not against the feathers as I didn't want to hurt her. I haven't seen her pluck or bite any feathers, but must do it when I'm not there. Cheeky is about 15-20 years old, we have had her about 5 years & this has never happened before. We had another cockatoo before her, we had for 10 years from 6 weeks old, & it never did this.
I give her Wild Bird Mix, I know it has sunflower seeds in it, but it is hard to pick them all out. Also she has 2 water cracker biscuits each morning, has spinach, carrot (not fussed on that) lettuce now & then. Bread every now & then as well, & grass & grasses with seed heads on. Am I giving her the wrong things or not giving her what she needs?
She has been mating with my arm, stands on it & moves her bum back & forth over it. Is that normal?
I don't think she is stressed, she does have toys, & branches to chew, I open the door in the morning & close it in the evening, she goes in & out, digging holes & climbing on things, has the run of where she wants to go. I am in the cage with her 2 a day, talking & cuddling with her, she sees people all the time as we live at a business, but doesn't have anything to do with anyone but me as far as touching goes.
I would be grateful for any help, as I don't like seeing her with little bare patches. Thank You. Ros
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