|
|
Post by Robyn on Sept 17, 2009 17:56:52 GMT 10
Maybe some of you lovie owners could help me. A guy popped in on Sunday with a love bird that has made an awful mess of the backs of his wings, kind of on the shoulders. He has been plucking & has even chewed his skin. Diet was just seed, he has 2 birds, not sure if a pair but suspect 2 males. Age is 2 years + & no eggs yet. They do have a nest box but no attempt to carry bedding up to line the box. This bird has only started to mutilate its self in the last week or two & seems to do it at night. The owner has treated for mites. Any ideas guys.
I have told him to give them a balanced diet & what to give, as well as palm fronds for them to chew & line their nest should they be a pair.
Robyn.
|
|
|
|
Post by linda040899 on Sept 17, 2009 20:38:02 GMT 10
The very first thing that needs to be done is have the lovebird checked for any new medical condition. My avian vet maintains that a lot of plucking is caused by a medical problem.
I would also DNA sex both birds to find out if the pair is male/male, female/female or male/female. Same gender pairs can mimic true pairs in almost every aspect except producing fertile eggs.
I agree that a change in diet is in order. I, personally, feed seed, fresh vegetables and some pellets (not more than 40% for small birds such as lovebirds).
|
|
|
|
Post by meandem on Sept 18, 2009 15:58:15 GMT 10
I hope that you find a solution to the problem, I know how bad it can be.
One of my hen lovebirds always plucks her babies. She is in fine feather and so is her man. For some reason, as soon as the babes start to get any sign of a pin she starts to chew.
I have tried changing the diet, have even given her endless branches, trees, shrubs and toys.
Eventually the poor little babes come out with just wing and tail feathers and if she is not hurting too much before hand, I take them then and put them into another cage.
I've tried giving her the benefit of the doubt everytime she breeds. I think maybe this time she will be a little nicer, and I have to say this last lot of babies seem to have a few more pins on them, so I'm sort of hoping it's a phase she is going through.
Other than the plucking, she is a terrific little mum, the babes are constantly fed and looked after.
|
|
|
|
Post by Robyn on Sept 19, 2009 18:22:47 GMT 10
Thanks for that. He is going to let me know how the bird goes.
Ellen, i sometimes get an eckie bub or sunnie that is a little plucked in the nest not to bad though.
Don't know why it happens but it normally is the down that all disappears.
Robyn.
|
|
|
|
Post by finchperson on Sept 21, 2009 16:10:48 GMT 10
You should'nt feed lovies just seed! You should give lovebirds (no matter what species, Fisher, Peachface, Masked and all the others) fruit and veggies. Oh and sprouts help with the plucking problem. Hope the Lovebird gets better soon!  Oh and what species is it?  |
|
|
|
Post by meandem on Sept 21, 2009 16:55:36 GMT 10
Thanks for that. He is going to let me know how the bird goes. Ellen, i sometimes get an eckie bub or sunnie that is a little plucked in the nest not to bad though. Don't know why it happens but it normally is the down that all disappears. Robyn. Yes it only seems to be the down that the mother plucks. I have checked on them today and the poor little beggers are bald.  It is just so frustrating. She doesn't seem to be hurting them, so I think I will just leave her alone. I hadn't checked on them for a few days, and they were ok a few days ago, but today.......bald. I'm glad it's just not me Robyn. I have tried so many things, and nothing I do changes what she does. |
|
|
|
Post by Robyn on Sept 21, 2009 20:36:34 GMT 10
Finchperson, I think it was a peachface. Yep i get really cross when people bring their birds to me with a problem & the first thing i notice is the lack of fruit or veg. When i mention that the problem could be their diet they look at me like i am nuts. So much for some Petshops giving their customers good advise on what to feed the birds they sell. It really stinks.
Ellen, i often wonder if the parents might be lacking in something or would it be they are just bored. When i was breeding cockatiels they were really bad with plucking the young. I have 2 sunny bubs still in the nest & they have no down but at least the pins are still in tact. I guess if the babies are not being damaged in any way their mum must be just loving them to much.
Robyn.
|
|
|
|
Post by meandem on Sept 22, 2009 16:00:14 GMT 10
I think that maybe the problem Robyn, she just loves them toooooooooo much. |
|
|
|
Post by Laraine on Sept 24, 2009 14:17:57 GMT 10
I have 2 Turk parrots in with budgies and other neophemas (Burkes & Turks). They have now been plucked all down their back. I don't know who is doing it but I have now taken them out. Just have to work out where I am going to put them so they won't keep getting plucked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Robyn on Sept 24, 2009 16:52:05 GMT 10
Laraine, are they matured birds or young ones???
|
|
|
|
Post by sypher on Sept 24, 2009 18:19:16 GMT 10
Is one of them the little hen you got from me Laraine? Poor things, I am sure they will be fine.
Shaun
|
|
|
|
Post by Robyn on Sept 25, 2009 8:40:01 GMT 10
Ellen, is this what your bubs look like, i just pulled these little guys yesterday. All their down have been plucked. But otherwise they are well cared for.  Robyn. |
|
|
|
Post by Laraine on Sept 25, 2009 11:03:37 GMT 10
I wasn't going to tell you Shaun, but yes. They are a pair so I'll put them in with the budgies when my new aviary is built tomorrow. They are plucked right down the centre of their backs, not as bad as the birds in the photo. They are in with Elegants and Burkes but I don't know who the culprit is.
|
|
|
|
Post by finchperson on Sept 25, 2009 16:29:09 GMT 10
Ive been feading my parrots, finches & Quail fruit and veg ever since i started birdkeeping and none of them have ever had plucking problems  Oh and lovebirds will also pluck if they don't get enough attention. |
|
|
|
Post by Robyn on Sept 25, 2009 18:31:14 GMT 10
That's what i like to see finchperson, bird people feeding their birds a balanced diet. I think the lovebirds in question are not very tame. I still haven't heard from the owners to see how the bird is.
Robyn.
|
|
|
|
Post by meandem on Sept 28, 2009 15:18:45 GMT 10
Ellen, is this what your bubs look like, i just pulled these little guys yesterday. All their down have been plucked. But otherwise they are well cared for. Robyn. Yes Robyn that is what they look like, only of course they are peachies. We have been away for a few days, and they are still balding. Poor little beggers - the weather hasn't taken a nose dive and it is cold again. I just want to knit them little jackets to keep them warm. |
|
|
|
Post by Robyn on Sept 29, 2009 7:39:55 GMT 10
Ellen, what a difference a few days inside have made to the suns. Little pins an their backs. Will take some more pic's to show how they have improved. I think if the parents don't break the skin on their chicks it's ok but it is annoying to find them naked in the nest.  & don't know why they do it. Robyn. |
|
|
|
Post by meandem on Sept 30, 2009 9:43:09 GMT 10
Ellen, what a difference a few days inside have made to the suns. Little pins an their backs. Will take some more pic's to show how they have improved. I think if the parents don't break the skin on their chicks it's ok but it is annoying to find them naked in the nest. & don't know why they do it. Robyn. For sure, they haven't broken then skin, and if they do....I would take the babes from the parents immediately. But as you say, it is so annoying to look in the nests and find them like that. |
|
|
|
Post by Laraine on Sept 30, 2009 17:38:21 GMT 10
Its amazing how fast the feathers grow back, my 2 turks now have feathered backs again.
|
|
|
|
Post by sadikilovebirds on Oct 28, 2009 14:37:19 GMT 10
I know its a bit late to reply but thought I would cos I am going through the same problem.
I regards to plucking lovies it may also be something simple such as moving the birds cage to a new area, new toys, house furniture, new cage,ect. Or the owner may be spend less time with the bird and it is suffering anxiety.
My lovie CC is a plucker and boy it this the worst uphill battle ever. He picks at his wing. My vet and I have tried many a things from Serence liquid and Metacam to treat his anxiety. We even resorted to an e-collar which he has worn since august. He resently had it taken off last week and was back to picking again. Now we have decided to bring out the big guns and give him Gabapentin so hopefully this will help.
|
|
Oh and what species is it? 
It is just so frustrating. She doesn't seem to be hurting them, so I think I will just leave her alone. I hadn't checked on them for a few days, and they were ok a few days ago, but today.......bald.
Oh and lovebirds will also pluck if they don't get enough attention.
& don't know why they do it.