Sad Day - Kiwi is PLUCKING Again!

[jodeg]

Well, this is a sad day for me. Kiwi has been doing SO well with growing back her feathers. Most of her chest was covered, and the tops of her wings were growing in nicely too.

Then tonight, I went to get her at 6:30 to put her in her sleeping cage, and she had PLUCKED out MOST of her chest feathers! :( The ones she and I worked so hard to grow back -- gone in a matter of minutes!

Nothing in her life has changed, except one thing: I've been keeping the patio door next to her cage closed, even when I open all the other windows in the house when it's cool enough. Yesterday and today, the weather was so wonderful that I opened that patio door for part of the day. I swear everything else is the same!

I'm starting to think I have a chronic plucker, like someone who bites their fingernails. I sat and held her for a few minutes tonight before I put her to bed. I love her so much and she's such a good bird -- active, happy, loving and as the vet said, very healthy -- except for this.

I kept telling myself not to get too confident about this, that she could pluck again any time. It happens SO fast and she does it SO quickly -- I blink and the feathers are gone. She'll probably finish the job tomorrow.....

I guess I just keep doing what I've been doing for her and hope they grow back again. I'll keep that patio door CLOSED though!

Hate to post a bummer like this, but needed to share my disappointment. So discouraged.....:mad:

[Nikki]

Aww... I'm so sorry to hear the bad news :(

She's still beautiful and we still all love her. If it's anything like fingernail biting I feel bad for her... It's just so hard to break the habit

[chapala]

Sorry to hear about Kiwi starting up the plucking again. I know you have worked hard to provide a great environment for her. All I can echo is Nikki's comment above that she is still a beautiful, loved birdie, whether or not she chooses to leave her feathers on.
Reta

[jodeg]

Thanks, Nikki and Reta.

I'll just start over again tomorrow (with the patio door CLOSED). She's still happy, active and as sweet as can be. Guess no one has the PERFECT bird!

Here I thought we could resign from THE PLUCKERS CLUB! NOT SO MUCH! :(

[Py & Cosmo]

Jo Anne,
Even after a new large flight cage and a major change in diet, new toys and company 100% of the time, Py "barbered" off all his chest feathers this past week...I tried not to react, but they were growing at such a steep angle compared to normal feathers, I think they were constantly in his face. He's had plenty of "out" time (I'm on vacation) and has several new and old shredding toys...I'm out of clues as to why myself...
BUT he's chipper and has a good appetite and loves to be with me and swings and plays...so he "bites his nails" too...I still love him and I think it's just 'his way'...we'll see...:confused: :( :confused:

[jodeg]

Oh so sorry to hear this! What is going on with our babies? Sounds like you're still in the stupid Pluckers Club with me! DRAT!

Kiwi's feathers were laying down real nice and smooth and were so pretty. DRAT!!!!!

Well, tomorrow's another day.....we are slaves to these balls of.....whoops, not feathers! :rolleyes:

Keep us posted, I'll do the same.

[Sally]

I'm sorry. I hope she will stop again soon. I am sure it is frustrating! We love her with or without feathers, but I know you want to find the cause of the plucking.

[jessief423]

Jo Anne, I'm so sorry to hear this. Hopefully sooner than later kiwi will be fully feathered again. I have faith in you and misses kiwi!

[raiven]

Aw, sorry to hear about Kiwi. She is such a sweet thing, I would be crying in your place even though I knew that she was a happy, healthy bird.

Sadie has her little bald spot from her accident but does not seem to be bothered about it. She also has a whole bunch of pins on the back of her head which feel real rough but they are still quite sensitive. Oh, and she has one stray feather on her face that is out of place from her accident. But she is still a beauty queen to me. :)

[unpoquito]

Hi Jo Anne,

I know how sad and frustrated you are. As you well know, Emmie too, became a "plucker." I have not seen her pluck in a while, but apparently, she is still doing it. I think she's pulling pins when they first poke through b/c of how much they itch. Or maybe there's some other completely odd reason that I'll never figure out. I think the latter is likely. Both of us have had our girls to the vets and they were both deemed as healthy birds, so like you, I'm at a loss. One thing I know for sure is that you and I spend a lot more time worrying about this than Kiwi and Emmie do! lol

[jodeg]

Thanks, everyone!

She's sitting on my shoulder right now, grinding her beak in contentment (just had breakfast), so right now, all is well --- raggedy and plucked, but well.

You're right, Kristen! We worry about it MUCH more than they do! Funny thing :confused: I had a dream about 2 days ago that I went into the family room and she had completely plucked herself! I woke up, jumped up and went to check on her -- she was fine.....then! Phooey, dreams DO come true sometime!

As you can all see, it's a good thing I never became a mother! I'm crazy enough over this bird!

Thanks again for all your support!

[lily]

Jo Anne, that's too bad. It is so discouraging, I know-- how they take a three minute break from eating and playing and totally ruin several months' worth of regrown feathers.

Is the whole Plucker's Club back in action or is there a current poster child? I'm afraid that there is no such thing as resigning from the Plucker's Club, that maybe we have to guard against whatever their triggers are for the rest of their lives. Man, I hope I'm wrong.

So, fellow Sherlocks, let's get this figured out. My little backslider did her hack job after being outside where I think there is a minor gas leak. She had been outside without plucking at a different location, and always came back happy and invigorated. So I concluded that she was reacting to a pollutant in the air or a fright. Kiwi's reaction could have had the same causes.

Kiwi reacted to the apparently single change of an open door. First, the fresh air could have brought in pollution to which she hasn't been exposed since she quit plucking. Possibilities could be a leak from a gas grill, the neighbor's grilling out, dryer sheets (which can pollute a whole neighborhood), auto exhaust, tobacco smoke, wood/leaf fire smoke, bug killer (those little wasps have been in a bad mood here lately), weed killer, or outdoor torches, to name a few. Even the air fresheners from a neighbor's house, if they opened their windows, too. I know it seems far-fetched, but there are people who are sensitive enough to these chemicals that they would have gotten sick sitting inside your open house with these pollutants outside. It could take such a person several hours to several days to recover from an exposure.

Second, there is the possibility of a fright. Yes, Kiwi was safe in her cage and is used to seeing out through that door when it is actually closed. But-- and here we go again with my unusual friends-- one of the animal communicators I know once looked at my bird and said that my bird wanted me to keep the door closed. I was astounded, because a few days earlier, I unlocked the front door and left it 1/4" ajar (not enought to even let light through) in anticipation of a friend's arrival, then left the room to finish little chores. The bird had yelled when I left the room. That was when she was plucking all the time, though, so I don't know if it triggered a pluck-fest. Rescue Remedy could help in such a situation.

Liz, yes, I think when those feathers stick out funny, the bird gets frustrated with them and finally just chops them off. (A beautician did that to my sister's hair once. She got a wig out of it.) My bird had a feather on her neck that seemed to come in upside down, and she chopped it off many, many times-- until there were enough feathers around it to support it properly. Without surrounding feathers to support them, the feathers are so uneven that they would have to be uncomfortable.

My plucker's breast has lots of green on it today, but the down looks skimpy and some skin is showing. There's a nearly bald spot on her back at the base of the tail. A molt may also be involved because I found two whole, unchewed wing feathers on the floor this past week. However, we also have had a lot of trouble with the neighbor's cigarette smoke coming in. Bath time.

Good luck, all.

[jodeg]

Lily - Thanks for your support and advice. Looks like the Plucker's Club won't be disbanded any time soon! We still have four sad members: Liz, Kristen, Lily and Jo Anne. A most PITIFUL club to belong to, if I ever saw one! No NEW members, PLEASE!

Believe me, Lily, that patio door (the sliding door type) will remain CLOSED!

Thank again!

[lily]

I find your dream most interesting. Some would say you worried so much that the bird followed your "suggestion"... but I doubt that one because, at least in my case, if my bird obeyed my worries, she would drown in her bathwater, strangle on her chew toys, smash into the wall, fly into the cat's paws, jump on the chair the same moment someone is sitting down in it, etc.

You had your dream a couple of days ago, perhaps the night of the first day you opened the patio door. Perhaps you sensed a pollutant in the air. Your brain told you to ignore it because it wasn't strong enough to hurt you. Later, when you were not busy thinking about other things because you were asleep, it tried to tell you that it could hurt the bird. Or, even more fascinating, perhaps you picked up on the bird's panic, on a subtle level, when you opened the door. Fascinating. One way, you may have a natural dowsing skill you could develop; the other way, the potential to communicate with animals!

[jodeg]

Well, I went to Sam's Club this morning, gone about an hour, and as I suspected, she finished the job on her chest.

All the light green feathers are gone and only down remains. She'll probably take care of that asap.

She's now a fuzzball with a green head. My little plucked baby!

[jodeg]

Very interesting ideas, Lily! Now if I could read HER mind, I'd really have something! :D

[raiven]

Well, I hope that little Kiwi can get back on track and grow her feathers in. :) It is baffling to try and figure out why one bird would do it another would not when there is no obvious reason. She is a sweet, pretty girl either way. :)

[Nikki]

OMG... Jo Anne is gonna be the Bird Whisperer! Can I please schedule an appointment for Connor? There's gonna be a long waiting list!

[lily]

Yes, she'll tell us that she walked in and discovered that her bird had pulled out all its green feathers, looked up at her startled face, and said, "What?" Then the next day the bird finished the job and said, "There. I fixed it."

Actually, I expected some ribbing when I first admitted on this forum that animal communicators told me this or that, but his group is surprisingly open to the concept. Jo Anne certainly picked up on something, whether it was the bird or the circumstance that bothered the bird.

[jodeg]

Well, my little baby had a happy active day, and I put her to bed with a little kiss at 6:30. I am thankful that she's just as sweet as ever through all this. I'm over the shock (and loss) now, and ready to start again. WITH THE PATIO DOOR CLOSED!

Has anyone ever tried PLUCK NO MORE, and if so, did it help? Kristen (Emmie's mom) says it helped her bird. Thought I might pick some up and give it a try.

I'm keeping a log on my computer of this "situation" in an attempt to find a pattern or give me a clue of something that would help her. I call it "DIARY OF A PLUCKER". I don't write things every day, but started it from July 30th when it first happened. The stupid diary is already FIVE pages long! UGH!

Tomorrow is another day -- will do my best to help her have a good day. My sweet little baby.....

[Nikki]

Actually, I expected some ribbing when I first admitted on this forum that animal communicators told me this or that, but his group is surprisingly open to the concept. Jo Anne certainly picked up on something, whether it was the bird or the circumstance that bothered the bird.

I agree... some people have a gift for hearing/feeling things that can't be "said." Having this intuition will certainly be beneficial as you tune it to knowing what will set her off with the plucking....

Unless it really is like fingernail biting. Then, I speak from experience that there is just something inexplicably, devilishly satisfying about biting off the set of nails you just worked so hard to let grow. It makes no sense, but I guess most habits are that way.

[lily]

I have read the ingredients in Pluck No More. If it were to help, it would be temporary. I have seen posts on other forums about it, but have never found one that said it worked for their birds. Many people, however, say that spraying with water (distilled, I presume) several times a day helps.

Ah, yes. The diary. I always wanted to keep one about my own life and couldn't. Now I faithfully keep one for the bird. I try to make notes every day so that I can remember details later if I need them. Remember, before you had your bird, when you had free time?

I'm placing my bet on Kiwi's NOT plucking tomorow. Anyone want to bet on my bird?

[lily]

Unless it really is like fingernail biting. Then, I speak from experience that there is just something inexplicably, devilishly satisfying about biting off the set of nails you just worked so hard to let grow.

So, when we're congratulating our birds on the beautiful new feathers and they seem so pleased with them, maybe they are pleased only because they are looking forward to a nice crop of perfect, beautiful, fluffy feathers and a leisurely afternoon to enjoy destroying them? Heaven help us.

I researched compulsive hair pulling, trying to find an answer for my bird's plucking! The people at the site I found were using self-image type work to help themselves stop. The huge difference between them and our birds is that the people WANTED to stop. Oh, I so hope that it is fumes and fears bothering our birds!

[jodeg]

Thanks, Lily. Guess I'll stay away from Pluck No More. A temporary solution really isn't the answer. I'll just keep using the distilled water.

Free time????? Even though I'm retired, between the 3 dogs and my little plucker, I'm a SLAVE! My poor husband! LOL!

Kiwi seems itchy this morning, so guess it's time for a distilled water misting. My day begins......

[Nikki]

This is just a question because I don't know much about the plucking issue, but have any of you used the Harrison's/AviX sprays that are designed to soothe pluckers? My vet is a big believer in their line of products but I've not seen them mentioned on here so I was curious. Namely the Soother Spray.
http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/products/avix.html

The Pluck No More uses homeopathic principles which I think are junk personally. After 8 years in school and a degree in pharmacology, I've come out of it a firm believer in natural medicine -- but a strong opponent of homeopathic remedies. Natural remedies are the basis of our current medicinal system and have earned their place through proving their effectiveness. I believe that the homeopathics that do "work", work as a placebo effect. Unfortunately, the placebo effect is so strong that it sometimes can be seen through parents to children and owners to pets. It just doesn't make good sense that by using less of something you use, the stronger it is, which is the main principle behind homeopathics. Because many times, the amounts of the ingredients contained in homeopathic remedies are so minute that you are paying for distilled water.
This is much to the chagrin of my boss who is a homeopathy advocate, but I'd be curious to see comparisons between the soother spray and the pluck-no-more on efficacy.
Off my soapbox now.

[jodeg]

Nikki:

When this initially happened on July 30th, and I took Kiwi to the vet, after she ran tests and ruled out any health issues, she gave me baby Benedryl for her water and Avix Soother Spray to mist her with.

The Avix (aloe) spray didn't seem to make much difference, but it didn't hurt either. I've started using it again today. About a month ago, I switched to misting her with distilled water instead of tap water. She was already drinking distilled water. The distilled water misting really seems to "quiet" down her itchiness. I'll be misting her once a day with the aloe spray and a couple of times a day with the distilled water.

Thanks for your help and input. I won't bother with Pluck No More.

[Nikki]

Good to know that the Avix spray doesn't work much either so that takes aloe out of the plucker healing equation for me.

I'm still thinking about it and reading in the veterinary manuals and databases here at the pharmacy to see if there's any studies that have any promising materials for stopping pluckers in them (slow day at work...lol). I'll let you all know if I see anything that looks like it might have some merit to it.

[Cocomaco]

She's now a fuzzball with a green head. My little plucked baby!

Any chance of a photo of that? Sounds quite funny (not that I'm laughing at your problem, but it does sound quite comical). :D


Actually, I expected some ribbing when I first admitted on this forum that animal communicators told me this or that, but his group is surprisingly open to the concept. Jo Anne certainly picked up on something, whether it was the bird or the circumstance that bothered the bird.

Hmm, I'm a scientist and definitely do not have a spiritual/faith side- I am always extremely suspicious of anything that cannot be shown by facts (not just shown, but tested will both positive and negative controls). Having said that, I would never tell anyone that they were silly or stupid for trying these things. Ok so it's not for me, but there may well be a benefit on some level so who am I to try and convince someone not to do it?

[jodeg]

Well, you asked for it! Here's a pic of Kiwi today. She plucked out all the new green feathers on her chest. She has down and some new greens underneath that were coming in. Maybe she'll leave them alone, who knows. When she plucked in July, she got her whole body down to bare skin, so this isn't quite as bad! LOL

Here's today and the second one is on 9/15 -- I was so proud of those greens!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2882329009_bc6b5895ed_o.jpg

Here's 9/15:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2859857248_f423695b4a_o.jpg

That'll teach me to be PROUD!

[Nikki]

Still a beautiful angel! No wonder you were proud, she was doing an awesome job keeping those greens in.

[Py & Cosmo]

Jo Anne,
I tried Pluck No More as a water additive, as it looked "natural" and had no taste or smell - but it is VERY pricey (if I recall, it was $30 for a 10 or 12 oz bottle :eek: ). However, as Py HATES HATES to be misted, I did not mist him with it, though they recommend that you do so. For 2 weeks it was the only thing I tried...and for 2 weeks I found no barbered/plucked feathers at all...so I kept it up after that, making diet changes and all...I went through 3 bottles...but after the 2 weeks I started to see a few feathers here and there on the floor. In the middle of all this I got Cosmo - then he left his feathers alone. I slowly weaned him off the Pluck No More, just to make sure if it WAS working, I didn't spoil things. He was refeathered in about 2.5 months once Cosmo arrived...so I never bought any more of it. I suppose I really don't know if it initially worked or not, but I couldn't keep up paying that amount - at least what I paid on the King's Cage website.
...I wish I had a magic wand.

[jodeg]

Liz:

Are Py and Cosmo housed together -- day and night -- or kept in two separate cages? Are they male and female?

I have toyed with the idea of getting a friend (male) for Kiwi, thinking this would help her plucking issues, even though I know I'd probably be losing the bond we have.

I've been advised, on this board, and by the bird shop where I bought Kiwi (even though they could make a sale), NOT to buy another P'let for this reason. The owner says there's no guarantee the plucking would stop, plus they can NEVER be housed together.

I don't have room for two HUGE cages, so gave up the idea, especially since she WAS doing so well. Now I'm thinking about it again.

Any advice? Thanks.

[lily]

Concerning homeopathy, well, I am a huge fan, and have been using it for about 30 years with great success. I've used it on myself and my pets, family, friends, and animals at two different shelters. If the right remedy is found, the results are stunning. A cat with blood poisoning, a rotting leg and open wound was to return to the vet's in 22 hours to be put down. I treated her homeopathically, and 22 hours later the vet was amazed and said to wait a few days before decideing if the leg should be amputated. Continued homeopathic care, and today the cat has all her legs and is in great health. A parrot laying on the bottom of the cage, presumably dying, the vet unable to offer anything-- treated homeopathically was standing in two days, and today has a new life NOT on the bottom of the cage. Two kittens slated to have their infected eyes removed-- all 4 eyes saved. (The vet couldn't believe HIS eyes.) Gosh, I could go on and on-- food poisoning, shingles, ripped tendons, infections, flu, tumors... I've treated hundreds of animals, some of them wild, and quite a few people. So why don't I recommend Pluck No More, which has homeopathic remedies in it? Homeopathy's success depends on the single remedy being carefully chosen to fit the individual's symptom picture. A combination remedy might work temporarily, but will loose its effectiveness and not cure the patient unless one of the ingredients happens to be the single remedy that the patient should have had. I know it takes a leap of faith to believe that homeopathy could work, but once you see it in action, the results are undeniable. Records of death rates during epidemics are further proof. Homeopaths, by the way, invented the double blind study and... Okay, okay, enough, I'll stop now!!

Kiwi looks quite pleased with herself in her recent picture! But there are a lot of bif pinfeathers-- she'll green up fast, I bet.

[SweetPeasMom]

JoAnne, we all love Kiwi Nekked or not!! Have you tried to put a "vest" on her? I have seen photos of birds with them. Just a thought?? Well I am going thru a trying time with Buddy right now.. he is just being a snot.

[unpoquito]

I think there is a place for homeopathy and eastern/herbal medicine. I have used both on myself and my pets. Flower essences (such as what is in Rescue Remedy and the Pluck No More) are especially useful. My dentist uses homeopathy immediately after a patient is done to have the affects of novacaine wear off sooner. It's amazing!
I have used the aloe spray on Emmie with no improvement, and it makes her feathers look strange when dry and smell badly. When I used the Pluck No More, she did not pluck the whole time. She has plucked again since I stopped using it. I don't know what the answer is with our pluckers...but I think that as long as the bird gets a clean bill of health from the vet, we shouldn't worry as much. I know, easier said than done! My vet suggested a humidifier near the cage, so I'm going to try that as soon as I get home. Also, a lot of bird folks have told me that daily mistings (up to 3x a day) are important.

[raiven]

I know here in southern Alberta our homes are drier then the Sahara in winter time. I put a humidfier in the bedroom at night with Sadie last winter and will start again next month. I think it is important to make sure your filters and everything are very clean with the birds especially.

When Sadie had her first moult last February, the vet's office sold me some aloe type spray. It came in a blue bottle and Sadie would not have anything to do with it. It's just as well I think, she does not need the chemicals, etc. She hates to be sprayed and the only way she will get wet is if I give her a shallow bowl of water with kale in it.

[lily]

I think aloe spray could help if the bird's skin is completely exposed, because it soothes and moisturizes skin. However, sprayed on feathers, I'd think it would just be a layer of gunk that the bird would want to preen off.

Wow, two people have reported some relief with Pluck No More. I was unaware that it had Flower Remedies in it. Could someone post the ingredients?

The two or three times my bird pulled at her feathers after a fright, I treated her with flower remedies (diluted--internally and a drop on the skin of the neck), and it worked beautifully. Once I know the definite cause(s) of her plucking, I may be able to treat her with homeopathy, if I can get a good symptom picture. But the flower remedies are WONDERFUL, and I would encourage anyone to read up on them and try them, as they are effective and completely non-toxic.

[unpoquito]

My vet suggested keeping the humidity in the room near 60%. The room is huge, but I think I'll try to keep their corner a bit more humid with a warm mist humidifier.

Lily, here are the ingredients of Pluck No More. Flower Essences are listed at the bottom. This is something that can be added to their water or also used as a heavily diluted mist. I wasn't able to copy/paste it, but here is a link to the website with detailed ingredients.
http://www.plucknomore.com/ingredients.php

[jodeg]

I was at the bird shop where I bought Kiwi today. I asked them about Pluck No More. They said that, for the birds it works on, it works beautifully.

They sell it for $28. I decided to give it a try. If it works, worth every penny! If it doesn't, bah humbug!

Will post results.

[chapala]

I was at the bird shop where I bought Kiwi today. I asked them about Pluck No More. They said that, for the birds it works on, it works beautifully.

They sell it for $28. I decided to give it a try. If it works, worth every penny! If it doesn't, bah humbug!

Will post results.

Ever since Pluck No More came out on the market, I have read on various lists at least an 85% number who said it didn't help their birds at all. Since Kiwi plucks intermittently, you will have to have a long trial to know whether it's just her stopping plucking on her own as she did for awhile, or whether the product is having any effect. I would go more towards frequent showering/misting/bathing in case your humidity is low. You certainly are doing all you can in every other regard.

A few birds pluck from food allergies. I don't know what you feed her, but soy, peanuts, corn, spirulina, wheat, sunflower seed and some others hae been shown to cause allergies in a small number of parrots. You can check on Feeding Feathers Yahoo forum in their files section for a Plucker's Diet if you want to look at this possibility.
Reta

[lily]

...here are the ingredients of Pluck No More...Ohhhhh, my computer is just too feeble to load the page! Fifteen minutes, and nothing! If I had the list, I could report why each ingredient was used, and that could help people decide if it's worth the gamble.

... soy, peanuts, corn, spirulina, wheat, sunflower seed and some others hae been shown to cause allergies... Reta, does sprouting make any of these foods safer?

[lily]

My vet suggested keeping the humidity in the room near 60%. The room is huge, but I think I'll try to keep their corner a bit more humid with a warm mist humidifier. Be sure you have plenty of circulation and light, so that you don't end up with a mold problem.

[SweetPeasMom]

Good Luck JoAnne.

[chapala]

Reta, does sprouting make any of these foods safer?

Sprouting I don't think would have an effect on an allergic reaction - if a bird is allergic to wheat, the bird still would be allergic to sprouted wheat berries. But remember, very few parrots have food allergies. A small percentage of birds who pluck apparently do have food allergies.

Soybeans are not recommended for sprouting - legumes that are safe to sprout include mung, adzuki, lentil, whole pea and garbanzo.
Reta

[Py & Cosmo]

Jo Anne,
Py and Cosmo are both boys - Py was 4 when I got Cosmo and the recommendations from lots of people (including my buddy Phil here) was not to get a female, as a young one would be aggressively treated by an older male. The boys each have their own flight cages and are side by side in the room - the don't "get along" technically, and bicker and fly at each other banging beaks if I'm not fast enough...but then again on occasion, if I have a plate of interesting food, they will both eat off of it together (at opposite sides) and will allow me to hand feed them one at a time. I think Py is very jealous of any time Cosmo is with me. I think the feather-barbering started out of boredom, as I work full time and I'm out of the house about 10 hours a day. It's better and very intermittent now, and has no obvious cause that I've been able to see. I mix up their meals so much, they don't have the same thing for several days, so I don't suspect that it's dietary. Py is happy to sit in my lap and get scritches whenever I can do that, and Cosmo likes to trim my hair for me when he can - apart they appear non-stressed.
That's my story...

[Vegasmom]

Oh, Jo Anne! I'm so sorry to hear Kiwi was at it again. :(

[xyzmtandb]

Hey I am a member of that club too!!! My p'let Harry has been making me so sad since March with his plucking. Same thing too , the feathers will start coming back, and he's doin well, then bam, off they go!!! He also got a clean bill of health at the vet. I sympathize with you for sure! let us hope that one day soon our p'lets will break this habit.

[jodeg]

Oh GOSH, not another member! So sorry to hear about Harry!

If this keeps up, Talk Parrotlets will have to start a special section just for the Pluckers Club! YIKES!

Keep us posted!

[lily]

So, with my bird as the founding member, we also have Jo Anne's Kiwi, Emmie, montgomery, Harry, and Tiger (!)-- Six birds. Py apparently quit plucking before the club was founded, but would be our poster child if he wanted to be a member. Read "Tiger's Vet Visit" to learn about Tiger's situation. I'm sure Lisa would appreciate suggestions.

[Py & Cosmo]

Oh I so wish I could remove Py from the Plucker's Club...and technically he barbers...but he's been doing it again this week. Our townhouses here are being restained and although the odors are minimal, perhaps he's noticed them.
He's still eating and chirping and happy...I just wish he'd cool it with the feather-trimming.

[jodeg]

Kiwi still has a few greens and some down left on her chest.....so far.

When I cleaned her cage tonight, I found about 5 of the olive green flight feathers on the bottom of the cage. Also, when we did our flying "practice" today, one of the times she flew to my hand, she looked up at me with one of her wings outstretched a little -- like "What's this?". I looked at her wing and one of the feathers was sticking up. When I touched it, it came out right away, then she folded her wing back down.

She never plucked her wing or tail feathers before, so I'm wondering if she's molting or starting to molt??? That's all this poor little baby needs right now, on top of her body being half naked, is to molt! :eek:

As a side note, since she started this plucking stuff the end of July, I haven't been bothering her much with clicker training, just doing flying practice to give her exercise and boost her confidence.

Anyway, today, I tried her old "tricks" (climb up her playstand and touch the target stick, climb down and touch, pick up 3 items and place them in my hand, etc.). She REMEMBERED everything I taught her! This was even a different playstand than berfore and she had to run around and figure out how to climb up and then down.

She scrambled around, trying real hard, chirping all the while -- so cute! She got lots of kisses and some millet seed reward. She looked up at me and seemed so proud of herself! :D

One day at a time.......

[lily]

Oh, how adorable that Kiwi worked out the puzzle of translating her knowledge to a new playstand! My bird recently lost some flight feathers. I think it was part of a normal molt, but she had two that were sticking out funny. They didn't fall out, so she started working on them. Then my breeder friend pulled them out for her so that she wouldn't start chewing herself again. Once they were out, she left the others alone.

Liz, I bet it is the fumes that are bothering Py. Do you have an air cleaner that you can run near her? It would have to be one that handles volatile organic compounds. It doesn't take much of those fumes to hurt sensitive beings, and they can cause all sorts of symptoms and can damage the liver. Liver damage can cause itchy skin...

[Py & Cosmo]

Luckily the painters are gone...no more smells.
No more barbering today either.

[lily]

Very interesting. In reconstructing the history of my bird's feather destruction, I can make a good case for fumes being the cause. hmmmm...

[unpoquito]

Ziggy is officially pulling feathers. Feathers are everywhere today. :(

[jodeg]

Oh Kristen! Now BOTH birds are plucking? That's awful! Are you misting him too? You're sure he's not molting, right?

Kiwi was very active today, lots of playing with her toys in her cage and jumping/flying from toy to toy, very active. I didn't see her do any feather pulling, but after she went to bed and I cleaned her cage, I found several of the olive green feathers again. They weren't chewed or anything. Maybe she's molting a little too, I don't know. She seems to be leaving the light green ones on her chest alone.

I'm still misting here 3-4 times a day with distilled water/Pluck No More. Seems to help.

I can't understand why Ziggy is plucking now too! Did he watch Emmie and think "Oh boy, that looks like fun!" ? - UGH!

Keep us posted on what happens tomorrow.

[kiwismom]

Don't forget my Kiwi as a member of the plucker's club :( . I'd rather be a member of a different one though HAH:p

[jodeg]

Cindy -

So sorry about your Kiwi and that now you're in the club. As clubs go, this one is most pitiful, and no one want to be a member!

We're all trying different remedies to help with this problem. If you come up with anything that works, please let us know!

Keep us posted on your progress!

[kiwismom]

I've been posting on his picking since April of this year off and on. Just when you think things are better, BAM! It's really starting to look like they're a species that does this a lot. I had done a bunch of research before getting Kiwi last January and I couldn't find much evidence of it but now it seems too common :( . I still love the little guy anyway with all my heart. He's going on 11 months old right now and is sassy as ever too so I'm blaming that on his adolesence :confused:

[lily]

Yes, other forums concentrate on plucking in the "larger, smarter" birds, but parrotlets are right up there with the worst of them.

Maybe we club members shold organize and try some experiments. We could all make the same change and compare notes. I was thinking last night that permanently covering the corner of the cage might be a good idea.

[Py & Cosmo]

Does anyone have full spectrum light for their pluckers? That was going to be my next purchase...see if that helps. I don't think it could hurt...

[jodeg]

Liz:

Hope this doesn't open a "can of worms", but.....
I don't have full spectrum lighting. I asked my avian vet about it months ago (BP - before plucking) and he said he felt it wasn't necessary if Kiwi was getting a balanced and varied diet, which includes pellets. I'm a believer in a good, high quality pellet in addition to fresh veggies, sprouts, etc.

However, I know there are some members of this forum who have used the lighting and say it's great.

I'm beginning to think that Kiwi's plucking starts with preening and goes overboard to plucking. She doesn't seem like a nervous bird at all, but maybe this is a reaction to being nervous or itchy or something. I don't know, I've tried to think of a million things.

By the way, Kristen (Ziggy & Emmie's mom) suggested the other day that I remove some of Kiwi's toys from her cage to give her more room. I did this and she's MUCH more active in her cage, flying and jumping all over the place. The toys in her cage are now on the sides and front and back of the cage (HQ flight cage), so she still has plenty of toys. I guess that before, she could only climb from toy to toy to get through the "forest" of stuff! Now she ZOOMS! Don't know if it helps with plucking or not, but she seems to love it!

Let us know if you get the lighting, and if it helps, I'LL BUY IT TOOOOO!

[unpoquito]

I bought a full spectrum light system as soon as Emmie began plucking. It didn't seem to make a difference. I still use it every day. I do think that removing some of the toys and giving them room to fly in their flight cage and lots of foraging opportunities has helped. Like Jo Anne's Kiwi, my birds are SO much more active than they were now. They love to forage and play and fly! Speaking of toys and plucking...I found a new toy place today that has lots of great small foraging toys for under $5. AND there was an article there about plucking and how Eucalyptis branches with leaves are good for birds with plucking issues. I looked at the branches and they look like Lemon Eucalyptis, but I'm not sure. Maybe someone can peek and tell me. Here's the website - www.perchparty.com (http://www.perchparty.com) . 1 lbs of branches is $30 so I didn't buy them. I was hoping maybe I could just get my own tree. lol But I'd like to find out what kind of tree this is. Their article was pretty compelling about this curing plucking. What do you all think?

[unpoquito]

Also mine are BOTH going through a molt. They both have a ton of pins on their heads. I'm misting them 1-3 x a day depending on how chilly it is. I've also started to bring them into the bathroom a few days a week for when I shower for the humidity. Emmie has a lot of new feather growth.

[jodeg]

I read another article yesterday that said that full spectrum lighting could "possibly" help with feather plucking. So today, I ordered the FeatherBrite cage top light from Windy City Parrots. I shopped around on line, and found a few places that had it a bit cheaper, but decided to go with Windy City because they offer free shipping over $45, plus I know they ship fast. ParrotsParrotsParrots has it too for about the same price when the shipping is added on.

I also thought the lighting would be good because the days are getting shorter, plus I haven't taken Kiwi outside any more since the first plucking episode started the same day she was outside, and the second episode occurred after the sliding glass door by her cage was open all day. Probably just a coincidence, but who knows!

Anyway, if it helps, it'll be worth every penny! Will post positive or negative results.

BTW, I also read, in the same article, that some birds will pluck if their cages get too crowded with toys and stuff. On Kristen's suggestion, I had taken a lot of her toys out a couple of days ago -- don't worry, she still has plenty around the sides and back of her cage -- and she seems to love it this way. So maybe that'll help too.

More to follow after we try the light......

[unpoquito]

Hi Jo Anne, I have the Feather Brite light, and I think Sally does too. I like the look of it, and I can tell you that my birds LOVE the light. They chirp when I turn it on. When they are out, they'll sometimes go and sit under the light on top of their cage. I'm not sure why b/c it really doesn't provide warmth at all, so I'm guessing they're enjoying that they can see in that other dimension that they wouldn't see w/o it.

My guys seem so much happier having more space in their cage, having room to fly and forage. What I do is rotate the toys. I always keep a few in there all the time - their favorites are the orbit and this bead mop toy. I read to never remove their fav toys. The others I rotate once a week or more. Each morning, I set up little foraging things for them to do in their cage while they watch. They love to watch where I put things. I put birdie muffins and seeds in tissue and tie it from the tip or hide it in a coconut cup. I goodies in their happy hut and cover it with shredded paper or toys, etc. The room to fly and the foraging seems to have made a big difference in their activity level, and they chirp most of the day now. They are both now playing with toys too. They used to be deathly afraid of foot toys. Now they pick them up (with their beaks) and toss them all over the place. :) I love it!

[unpoquito]

I'm wondering about anyone here that knows about giving parrots eucalyptus branches like that website suggested. I saw some youtube videos about a parrot rescue in FL that gives them in their aviary daily to some of the birds.

[chapala]

Eucalyptus is safe for birds. I sometimes use it for perches when I can find some to cut. Also, you can check out plants available in your area for bird safety, and offer trimmings and small branches. Mine like bamboo and palm, and I won't go into the tropicals since most of you can't find them anyway!
Reta

[kiwismom]

ok Reta rub it in, LOL!!


brrrrr, freezing in Wisconsin!

[Sally]

I do like my FeatherBrite. I just turn in on for a couple of hours a day. Her cage is by the sunroom window. That does not give her Vit. D, but it does make her happy to be in the light. The light helps, food helps and I take her into the sunlight on my patio, all for vit D.

I think light is good too, just uplifting. I do not keep it on all the time.

Of course she is out of the cage a lot too. She just flew from her playgym into the other room to her sleep/play cage.

[jodeg]

Sally - So a couple of hours a day is enough? I was wondering how long I should leave it on. I think the light will be good for her, whether it helps her plucking or not, because I don't take her outside any more. :(

Windy City e-mailed me that they shipped it yesterday (10/8), so it should be here pretty quick. :D

[unpoquito]

Jo Anne, I started with my FeatherBrite on just a few hours a day, but recently have been leaving it on for a bit longer. I turn it on about an hour after they get up in the morning, and leave it on until about 4 p.m. They seem to really love the light, and knock wood, but Emmie has a lot of green feathers this week - yeah!

[unpoquito]

Reta, there is a website that sells Eucalyptus branches by the pound, and claims that they can reverse problems of feather plucking in parrots - they're assuming the parrots eat the leaves I think. They look like Lemon Eucalyptus. Their price is a bit too much for me though for parrotlets, so I think I'll try to buy a tree online and keep it indoors.

[Py & Cosmo]

Yeah...I think I'm going to invest in a light for now - especially with winter and darker longer nights on the way...

[Sally]

This is one place I have read about shorter amounts of the light. An hour or two is fine for Chipper. She is in and out most of the day. I turn on her light in the morning while she eats and wakes up. I walk my little dog and then move her cage to the place near my sunroom. I then turn off the light.

I don't want the cord plugged in while she is out.

This is what I do and everyone is different.

I don't want to overdo light or anything else. Chipper has done very well so far and I don't want to change anything.

I do hope the light helps. Light does need to be on top, not in their eyes. Sometimes there are lamps on the side of cages, right in the eyes.

Chipper got a nice dose of Vit. D today. She enjoyed the sun outside while I watered plants on my patio.

Here is the article about amount of lighting.


http://www.thebirdbrain.com/html/lighting.cfm

[Py & Cosmo]

Thank you for that reference article, Sally...it was very helpful. I think I will try the Full Spectrum light and be careful with the amount of time I have it on.

[lily]

Lemon Eucalyptus is easy to grow from seed. I have two of them about 5' tall.

[unpoquito]

Sally, that was an excellent article. Thank you for sharing it. What they described in birds to be calcium and vitamin D deficiency is essentially like what hypocalcemia for a human would be like. I suffer from hypocalcemia and another bone disease, and have had problems in the past w/ the breaking of bones, but more serious than that is that when blood calcium is low, it is life threatening. I take very high doses of calcium for this. I would imagine this could be the same for birds. I think our lights could only help our birdies with the absorption of vitamin D, huh? Also, daily sunlight like you said. For those of us that live in climates with cold winters, natural sunlight isn't possible. Also, I know Reta talks about the leafy vegies that are full of these good vitamins, and I know Chipper gets all of this. My birdies don't get this unfortunately b/c they won't eat fresh foods yet, and with the cold winters we have, I was thinking the increased light as the days grow shorter might be good? I don't know? I guess time will tell. One thing I read also about our lights is that they give our birds full visual that they would have in natural sunlight. Birds apparently see in additional colors or dimensions (someone please correct me, b/c I'm speaking in layman's terms here), in natural sunlight and with full spectrum.

I'm glad you mentioned the lights should be on top and not on the side, b/c I was wondering about this. I've always used my light on top, but have seen some youtube videos of the side lamps and I was wondering about it.

I know my birdies seem really chipper when they're in the light (no pun intended!).

Lily, thanks for the info on the Lemon Eucalyptus. Perhaps I'll try to start some from seed indoors.

[jodeg]

Kiwi went on a "pluck-fest" yesterday. Her cage was littered with white downy bits and little dark green feathers. I misted her and gave her treats, but nothing would distract her as she plucked away.

She's not totally bare, but she looks like a moth-eaten rug at this point. Nothing different happened yesterday, so I don't know what got her started. She just did. :confused:

Today she's happy and playing, at least for now. I guess I just have to accept that this is a habit and the way she's going to be, and of course, love her anyway. The only thing I haven't tried yet is full spectrum lighting, and that should arrive on Tuesday.

I now feel and Kiwi and I are permanent members of the "Pluckers Club". :(

Very discouraging.......

[pam311]

Awe Jo Anne dont beat your self up so. Kiwi is so lucky to have you for a mom. You are doing everything to make her life happy and healthy. As you said it may be a habit since her health is excellent. I am one of those folks that beileve that animals to can have chemical imbalances in their brain that can cause "moody" type behavior. I have a rescued Greyhound that is so sensitive to everything that she shakes and shivers when there is tension in the room. She can even sense when I am about to have a migraine.
Please keep your chin up... Kiwi loves you and it is nothing you are doing. Sending hugs to you and Kiwi.

[jodeg]

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words, Pam.

She is a real sweety, in spite of all she's going through!

[Sally]

So sorry, JoAnn. Yep, you do all you can and then you just have to not feel too bad. Easy to say....

It does make me feel better with any problem when I do all I can. You don't know the future, maybe the plucking will stop.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/min37.gif

Kristen, sorry about the calcium problem. I have TONS of calcium in my urine. Wierd to say, but I had two kidneys full of little stones. I had to have Lithotripsy five months ago. I took an involved test to find out WHY.

I have to drink SO much water to keep it all in check. I go to my urologist every three months. After Nov. I hope to go every six months.

My blood calcium is fine. If there were too much, there might have been a parathyroid problem so I was glad it was fine. I have to make sure to get enough calcium.

I am thankful for doctors!!!http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/pupandgirl.gif

[jodeg]

This afternoon, I closed the shade on the sliding glass door next to her cage. I have always raised the shade during the day to give her more light. She was pulling and plucking like mad again today, and after I closed the shade, she stopped.

Don't know if it means anything or not. Maybe she just decided to stop! Maybe the birds, bugs and flying insects scare her, who knows! The rest of the day, she was happy, flying, jumping, eating, chirping, calling for me, all the regular stuff. When the "pluckfest" is going on, EVERYTHING else stops!

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

[unpoquito]

Jo Anne,

That's interesting that she stopped. Try this again tomorrow. Something I've done differently recently is to cover the back and side back corners of the cage with their sleep blanket all day. Emmie has stopped plucking (for now). I have no idea if this is why or just coincidence. It really is like detective work trying to figure out the causes of feather pulling, isn't it?

Sally, my low blood calcium is because of the parathyroid glands. I'm sorry you've had to go through health stuff too. It's no fun, that's for sure. I'm grateful for GOOD doctors too! :)

[lily]

JoAnne, my bird is all green again, her last slip-up having lasted only a day of bad plucking and about three afterwards of tidying and feeling itchy. She is all green again, but not velvety yet. So, don't worry that you will have to live with a gray bird-- I think you will find the source of the problem(s). I am convinced that my bird's last episode was caused by air pollution. However, I used Rescue Remedy - one diluted drop in the mouth, and a few diliuted drops in the water - as soon as she started plucking. It really helped, I think. She was able to calm down and follow my suggestion of tearing up terrycloth instead of herself. Pam, maybe your greyhound would relax a bit if you kept several drops of diluted Rescue Remedy in her water for awhile. It is nontoxic- impossible to overdose, does not conflict with any herbs or medications.

[lily]

Oh, sorry, my machine hadn't loaded all the posts. Sally, goodness! Stay healthy, now! Kristen, JoAnne, I like the idea of covering part of the cage. I, too, started doing that whenever I go away, thanks to the ideas tossed around here. My experience with unexplained plucking was that the bird didn't just decide to stop-- I think you are on the right track to assume that something bothers her about the glass door. The light changes this time of year, so maybe the way it comes through the door creates some spooky shadows or reflections.

[unpoquito]

From what I've read, Lily is right, there is always a reason, and sometimes multiple reasons, though it's difficult for owners to figure out what! Jo Anne, I had another thought - what about food allergies. Knowing what they would eat in the wild, I doubt a food allergy to vegies, fruits, or seeds are there. But what about grains. I have a little dog that is allergic to grains and is on a grain free diet. He's allergic to corn too. I've read that food allergies could be the cause in some pluckers. Look at her diet and see if there's something sort of new that she began to eat around the time this started. Or, she could just have developed an allergy to a food she was already eating. I'd start with the grains and foods like birdie muffins. Also, you might consider adding a little bit of flax seed to her diet for the Omega 3. I have added this to Ziggy's and Emmie's diet. I buy the whole seed (organic) at the grocery in a little tub and keep it in my refrigerator. I don't give a lot - just about 10 seeds a day to each.

[jodeg]

Kristen - I'll start trying the flax seed -- thanks! That'll be easy for me, because I've used organic flax seed on my cereal for years to help lower cholesterol, so I always have it in the freezer.

She wasn't getting much corn when whe plucked the first time, way back on July 31st, but this second time, she was getting plain air-popped popcorn in a foraging toy, which she absolutely loved! Maybe that started her up again, who knows. She hasn't had any for a couple of days. I've just been giving her her regular main food and some sprouted seeds as a treat. I stopped giving her the birdy muffins for now also.

Lily - So happy for you that your baby is all green again! Must be a wonderful sight! I tried Pluck-No-More, in her water and in her distilled water spray, and it didn't seem to make any difference. The aloe spray that the vet gave me, I thought helped originally, but when she started up the other day, I sprayed her with it, and it made it worse, so washed it off with distilled water and she calmed down.
Will order some Rescue Remedy and give it a try. Couldn't hurt!

My full spectrum light should be here Tuesday, so I'll add that to the mix. Boy, this could drive a person crazy, trying to figure this out! I will say, though, she seems perfectly happy, sweet and alert, just like always! GOOFY BIRD! :rolleyes:

Thanks for all your help and advice!

[unpoquito]

I think I remember Lily mentioning that her girl started after having oatmeal...is that right? Well, I believe I had also started giving oatmeal to Emmie too. I recently haven't given any oatmeal (not by conscious effort). Maybe this is something? What's odd is that Emmie is molting and has a ton of new green feathers. I'm not complaining! Jo Anne, you are right, that it could drive me crazy, that's for sure! Every day I wonder is my little green bird going to be green today? I'm glad that Kiwi is still happy and playing up a storm. She is such a special one for sure.

[jodeg]

Kiwi really did a number on herself this afternoon! Now she's also going after her dark green wing and tail feathers! She's never done that before. She doesn't pull them right out, like with the light green feathers and the downy bits. She mutilates them for a while, then I hear a "crack" noise when she breaks it off at the base, and then "PLUCK" out it comes.

Now her tail and wings are all chewed up, in addition to her body being only down and a couple of little light green feathers, which I'm sure are not long for this world. She also plucked everything off her legs. Her head is the only thing that looks "normal".

After the plucking and mutilating frenzy was over, she went back to playing with her toys, ringing her bells, flying and jumping around in her cage.

I'm wondering now if she's really not happy here and this is how she's expressing it. Maybe she wants to breed and is frustrated and would be happier in a breeding program. I'm afraid she's going to start mutilating her skin if this keeps up. I just don't know any more. I don't think the vet will have any more answers for me either, other than to relieve me of the contents of my bank account. :mad:

She's in her sleeping cage for tonight. I'll try to take some pitiful pictures tomorrow and post.

Hope I haven't bummed everyone out -- I needed to vent somewhere!

[chapala]

Sorry Jo Anne that her plucking has increased - I'm sure it's very hard on you, especially with everything you've done to create a wonderful environment for her. :( Is a second P'let possible in your situation? I wonder if that would make a difference in her feather destructive behavior.

There is a Yahoo forum on Pluckers. I haven't looked at it, but it may be worth checking out for ideas from others who have been through it.
Reta

[jodeg]

Hi Reta -

Yes, I considered a second P'let immediately. I was even willing to give up our bond if it would help her be happier. However....

I don't have room to house them separately, and I've been advised that it's almost impossible to keep two in one cage after maturity, because they'll fight. The owners of the bird shop where I bought her also added that there's no guarantee that this would stop her from plucking, and her cage mate might pluck her to death, seeing her as the weaker one, I guess.

Will look for the plucker's forum on Yahoo.

Thanks for your help and advice.

[unpoquito]

Jo Anne, I know how you are feeling as I had wondered the same things last time Emmie plucked. However, I know in my heart Emmie is happier than she has been in her entire life. And your Kiwi - what more could she ever want for? She has the best mommy, and life, and has such a bond with you. I agree with Reta that a parrotlet buddy might help. As much as I wish my two were more bonded with me, I feel that being together is how they would be in their natural environment. Parrotlets apparently bond and are monagamous. I think if you were to get a male around her age, or a baby boy, you won't have any issues. My two sometimes squabble like an old married couple, esp now that they are molting, but nothing serious. The cage they have is plenty big so that if they have a disagreement, they can go to different areas. You have big cage too. Also, I think you should call your vet and ask for the Giardia med to give it a try. It won't hurt and might help. Even though she tested neg for it, it's apparently common for false negatives and a common medical reason for feather plucking. Your vet should accomodate you w/o another visit. Just remember you're the customer! :)
Don't give up on Kiwi - I know how much you love her, and she, you. You'll get through this, I just know it!
Hugs,

[lily]

OH, I'm so sorry that Kiwi is chewing and pulling feathers! I spent hours the other day trying to post a picture and couldn't; otherwise I would post a photo I have of my girl when she was all gray. It would make you feel better. All the little green feathers were gone except two, her wings and tail were barbed, shortened, and shredded, her legs were bare, and her shoulders looked like gray felt. And this photo was taken after she had started to improve. Before that, she was naked on her belly and back.

I tell you this not to discourage you, but to give you hope that you can get to the bottom of this and have a green bird again. We have a mystery to solve.

I think with my bird, there are combinations of things that happen, and when the stress level gets to be too much, the plucking starts. I'm guessing that's why the Rescue Remedy helps. The trick is to keep track of the combinations of things going on to see what the common factors are-- like the game Master Mind.

It is true that my bird had rolled oats (dry) in her diet when she was plucking. She also had sprouted wheat bread. Both of those things I eliminated because she LOVED them-- to the point of pigging out on them and ignoring other foods. In people, food addictions are closely related to food allergies, so I stopped those two foods "cold turkey." It is true that my bird's plucking started just after I re-introduced oats, but there were other factors, too. Oats are out of her diet again, awaiting another trial.

Corn is a common allergen in people, and I have heard that it is almost always contaminated with a fungus. The fact that she is crazy about it would be a reason to stop giving her any for now. Another possibility for both the oats and corn is that maybe they were not organic; at least mine may not have been. So, when I try oats again, I will be sure that they are orgainc.

Didn't you say that Kiwi was molting? My bird's last session coincided with the beginning of a molt. She had been through some molts successfully, but this one had oats and air pollution and a possible fright. Molting adds a stress, so things like a small fright would have more than normal impact on the bird.

Another thing our birds have in common is that they seem to feel so good once they have ruined their feathers. Pulling the feather out, I read somewhere, causes a little hurt so that the body responds by sending chemicals that make it feel better. Perhaps it is a way for our girls to relieve itchy skin-- we get back to possible allergies or giardia... or itchy skin from inhaled toxins.

Obviously, I did not get a male bird to solve the plucking problems, so I have no experience to offer you in that area. I do know of male plucker on the forum had a female parrotlet companion, but he plucked anyway. I have also heard of pluckers who pluck the new bird, too!

Rescue Remedy should be available at your local health food store. I hope you can get some quickly and I hope it helps! Hang in there!

[jodeg]

Thanks, Lily and Kristen. I ordered some Rescue Remedy on line and will try it. I called the vet to see if they would prescribe something for Giardia, just in case. They're going to have a vet call me back, but the assistant didn't they they'd prescribe anything without me coming in again and having tests run. (More $$$ for them!) I told her I've already spent several hundred dollars on this situation, and she's not any better, and at this point, not anxious to spend several hundred more.

We're going out of town tomorrow, but when we get back, I'll try to figure out what I want to do. I'm about at the end of my rope!

Here she is this morning, and she's still plucking -

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2938573702_381852733f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/2938573802_1ac04a963d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2937721149_70fdc39e44_o.jpg

Pretty ugly, huh?

Thanks for your help!

[unpoquito]

Hi Jo Anne,

When you talk to the vet, be firm! Remind him/her that you already did all of the recommended tests and want to try the medicine. You are the customer!

Kiwi looks way better than I thought she would. She still has lots of downy feathers! A lot of birds are molting right now, and maybe she is extra itchy on top of whatever else is causing this. Emmie looked way worse than this twice. Emmie actually plucked huge bald spots. Just recently she began growing a ton of green feathers practically overnight. Kiwi will get better too. I decided a while ago that I was going to stop stressing myself out over this. You should too. There's no use in stressing...if this vet won't give you the medicine, ask for copies of all lab work to be mailed to you, and then take her to your regular vet with lab work in hand. Ask your vet for the giardia med (Flagyl/Metronitazole/Ronizol). It's very inexpensive and apparently the first line of defense for feather pluckers, from what I've read. I did a 2nd round for Emmie and she seems better. I don't know if this is why (she tested neg for Giardia) or if it's because she's eating pellets now, or some other reason. I doubt I'll go back to the avian vet we used because I feel I was taken advantage of money-wise. $600 for a recheck and tests for PBFD and Chlamydia. My regular vet is excellent and I'm sure would have run the tests for 20% of this cost. If we had something serious, I'd go to another avian vet, but not this same one. One thing I've learned over the years is not all vets are created equally, specialist or not. :)

[chapala]

She's in her gray pajamas, little stinker! Still adorable though.
Reta

[jodeg]

Thanks, you guys, for being so encouraging over my poor plucked baby.

The avian vet called back and said they'd give me a prescription for something (didn't say what) for Giardia, but they don't recommend me treating her because they want her to be tested again ($$$) before I treat her, and any medication has side effects (gee, you think?) Anyway they agreed to it. (Surprise!) Their office is quite a distance from my home, so they're calling the script to my local vet (my dog vet), which will make it easier.

We're going out of town Tuesday and won't be back til Friday, so I'll pick the med up Saturday. I don't want to start her on something like this and then leave her, even though my neighbor is taking care of her -- I want to keep an eye on her through this.

Kristen, thanks for encouraging me to call the vet! What's the dosage again? And what "side effects" should I look for?

Now I'm hoping again! This is like a roller coaster.......or the stock market!!!

[unpoquito]

Hi Jo Anne, I'm glad you got the medicine prescribed. Yeah! This is a very common medication for dogs, humans, birds, etc. I don't remember what the possible side effects are, but I have given it to a number of dogs over the years (they would pick up stuff at shows), and never had a problem with it whatsoever. In fact, my vet would give show breeders a big bottle to keep on hand. Anyway, I'll have to look up the dosage and will email you. It's dosed by weight. Emmie's was given in powder form and had to be mixed in a water bottle size dose, so I'd mix it in a water bottle and then pour that into her water dish. Only had to be mixed every few days.

[raiven]

Poor little girl. She is not ugly though. She is still a sweet little bird. :)

[lily]

If you are afraid of side effects from the drug, you can always try natural remedies first. I offered raw garlic cut into tiny cubes and I put Grapefruit Seed Extract in the water. Of course, with a negative test and only a hunch that giardia was making her itchy, I have no idea if it was the GSE and garlic that helped! I do know that she ate the garlic, because I could smell it on her breath, and that she quit eating it after a few days. And, I know that the plucking stopped in three days after she had started eating it, but I'd also made other changes. Too bad I wasn't the patient scientist so we would know more.

I agree that Kiwi still is adorable. She looks like a little kid goofing around on a Saturday morning with ruffled hair and wrinkled jammies... She sure did a job on herself, but it could be worse.

[Py & Cosmo]

Oh Jo Anne...I'm thinking of you...and your little pajama-girl. Py's chest looks just like Kiwi's back...but for now that's all he's done. I plan on getting a light...hurry up payday!
I took Py to a sunny window yesterday - he stopped talking, chirping, and sat very still on my hand...every once in awhile he looked out the window, but he just seemed to bask in that light. So did Cosmo...so I'm trying a light for both of them.

[jodeg]

Thanks for all your help and kind thoughts for my little green plucker!

We're going out of town for a few days - taking our Goldwing trike on a trip to Indiana for their Covered Bridge Festival. We went last year and loved it, so going back again. Not that we need a vacation from being RETIRED! LOL! We'll be back on Friday.

The only problem is that I miss our three dogs and my bald baby! Oh well, should be fun anyway -- lots of craft type booths and stuff to look at to my heart's content!

Thanks again, everyone!

[Sally]

Poor thing. I know it has to be so hard for you! I hope MAYBE the new light will help. You just never know. My thoughts are with you.

[unpoquito]

I think the light could help! I know that my birds are very happy when their light is on.

[Sally]

My fingers are crossed!!!

[jodeg]

Hi Everyone -

We're back and we're POOPED! We went to a Covered Bridge Festival in Rockport, Indiana. Went last year and saw the bridges and went back this year and saw THOUSANDS of vendors! We walked and walked and walked!

We rode our Goldwing Trike for the trip, and our Harley friend, Pam, went with us. It's only about 200 miles from home, so not a long trip. Only rain we had was while we were sleeping on Wednesday night, so that was good. Great trip, had fun, now I need a rest!

My neighbor took good care of Kiwi while we were gone. Her FeatherBrite light came while we were gone, so I set it up right away. She sat under the light this afternoon and happily plucked away at her feathers -- the downy bits and the wing and tail feathers too. Not many light green ones left except on her head -- JUST PITIFUL!

I'm going to the vet tomorrow morning to pick up the Giardia medicine, so will try that. My order of Rescue Remedy also arrived.

Does anyone know if Apple Bitters sprayed on her feathers will be any deterrent??? Stuff tastes nasty -- works on dogs. Just wondering.

Her green head little beautiful though! And she's still a sweetie!

[unpoquito]

Hey Jo Anne,

We missed you! I would definately ask the vet before spraying the bitter apple on Kiwi. I think now that you're home, have your featherbrite light, giardia med, and Kiwi missed you, her green will be coming back soon! :) Hang tight!

[raiven]

I don't think I would use the bitter apple either. For one, you don't know what the ingredients are and for two, although I realize poor sweet little Kiwi currently is featherless, birds need to be able to preen all their feathers every day.

P.S.Welcome back and glad to hear you had a great holiday!

[skthurley]

It makes me sad reading these stories. You guys seem to be taking such good care of your P'lets.... they sound like spoiled little babies... :D and I bet they're loving it... It just is so frustrating reading. I mean, what could possibly causing them to pluck so viciously? It makes me so sad to think they're doing this to themselves. :(
Here's to hoping something works! I'm happy to hear that some of your guys are finding success with your babies. :D I must admit... they do like kinda cute with only grey downy feathers. lol

[Py & Cosmo]

I just wish I could figure out why some pluck and some don't. Py didn't pluck/barber until he was 3 years old.
I hope I don't have this to look forward to with Cosmo.

[lily]

I'd be afraid to use the bitter apple. The smell alone could harm the bird, spraying it could let it get into the bird's lungs, and gunk on the feathers might be incentive to remove them completely.

Keep up the detective work, everyone. It has been a year and a ten months since I made my bird's changes. She has only bothered her feathers three times after that, but has not been naked for 18 months. Two times it was just one or two feathers, from fear I think-- and it stopped with Rescue Remedy. The other time was about 5-7 feathers the first day and maybe one or two the next, when she had oats and might have had a fright and probably was exposed to gas fumes. We got through that in a few days, and I am happy to report that she is now all green again and looks beautiful. I was lucky that the last incident happened at the beginning of a molt, so she filled in quickly.

[Kumiko]

I'd be afraid to use the bitter apple. The smell alone could harm the bird, spraying it could let it get into the bird's lungs, and gunk on the feathers might be incentive to remove them completely.



Whenever I was little, my first bird was a yellow luntino cockatiel. She only plucked underneath her wing. It looked much like lunch meat under her wing. :eek: We used that bitter apple stuff. (this was when I wasn't so much "into" improving my pet's life my researching the best care for them...)

It didn't work, I think it was the cause of Daisy's death because the vet she died of blood poisoning. :confused:

[jodeg]

Well, I won't use the Bitter Apple. Just saw someplace else on this forum that someone had used it.

Right now, I'm using the full spectrum light and giving her Giardia med. twice a day (this is the 2nd day), plus misting with distilled water 3 times a day.

She's still happily plucking away!

[lily]

Oh, I know how happy they look after plucking-- as if they are pleased that they got so much accomplished!

There are toys for pluckers-- one that sounded interesting was a feather with a really tough sheath on it. My bird had plenty of things to do, but seemed to prefer her feathers. I actively encourage her to get busy on chew toys whenever I see her loafing or if I am going to be away.

Another thought is, are you certain that she is actually eating the dark leafy greens and the orange vegetables you give her for vitamin A? Mine can make a huge mess without eating much of anything. I like to offer her tid-bits with my fingers, and introduce her to healthy foods this way, because she won't try them without coaxing.

Seems like this last round of plucking might be related to the change in the weather. Is the house closed up so that some minor fragrance is building up? Could it be wet and damp enough anywhere, inside or out, that mold might be getting a start? Maybe you brough in your houseplants and the soil has molds in it? How about a new product-- like dishwashing liquid or something that has been drycleaned?

I sure hope we can solve this mystery soon and have a green Kiwi for the new year!

[Queenie]

Yes I am trying it now for the second month.. do not buy it from pluck no more site.. I have a site where you buy it and it is a third the cost.
It is where pluck no more buys it and re packages the product I have been told.
It is a de stress homeopathic type of product you put into the water for drinking .. you can also put it into a sprayer and use it topically
My Conure is on it now and is wayyyyy more mellow and I see fuzz growing back.. the under feathers, down. He continues to pluck tho..
I have spent 2000k on vets .. and NOTHING medical is wrong.
One vet said that it is hormones.. Heck he is 18 years old, I think if it were hormones it would have happened a LOOOOOng time ago.
Anyway. She said to make sure that even on long days to only allow 12 hours daylight and create a non breeding evironment.. no snugglings to crawl into. A pellet diet in case their was an allergy to something, and a few other things..
Here is the product.. It is called Stress No More and is from natural pet pharmaceuticals. I got three bottles for the price of one pluck no more. And I did try pluck no more first..
Good luck.. I think it is worth it.

[Queenie]

It's called Stress Control.. sorry for that.

[BUUZBEE]

You have probably already seen this, but i'll post it just incase...



Clinical Approach to Feather Plucking
Neil A Forbes BVetMed Dip ECAMS CBiol MIBiol FRCVS
Avian and Exotic Department, Lansdown Veterinary Surgeons, Clockhouse Veterinary Hospital, Wallbridge, Stroud, Glos. GL5 3JD, UK and University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, N Somerset. BS40 5DU, UK

Feather picking is the most common dermatological disorder of caged psittacine birds (Rosskopf and Woerpol 1996) and is one of the commonest presenting complaints in avian practice (Welle 1999). Feather plucking cases are typically complex, multi-factorial (often mixed medical and psychological) and even in experienced hands some 30% will be refractory to therapy (Jenkins 1999). Medical causes of feather picking must be eliminated prior to psychological causes being considered. In the authors opinion it is impossible to address a psittacine plucking case without a complete understanding of psittacine behavioural disorders. A diagnostic work up of such a case starts with the collection of a detailed history. This is rarely diagnostic, however, clinical suspicion may be increased to allow the experienced clinician to order further tests to expedite a diagnosis. Sections of this paper have been shortened for publication. A full version may be seen at http://www.lansdown-vets.co.uk (http://www.lansdown-vets.co.uk/)

BACKGROUND HISTORY COLLECTION
See http://www.lansdown-vets.co.uk (http://www.lansdown-vets.co.uk/)

HISTORY COLLECTION STAGE II

The following notes in a simplified form are then discussed and annotated point by point with the owner, with the aspiration that by the time the clinician undertakes the clinical examination, he can focus his attention on certain areas.

Medical Causes
Allergies
Well documented - see Girling this issue

Ectoparasites
See Chitty this issue

Endoparasites
Frequently cause problems, particularly in cockatiels, but should be excluded in all species. Giardia spp. and ascarid worm infestation have been documented to cause hypersensitivity reactions and feather picking mainly affecting the ventral wing web. Examining a warm wet direct faecal smear (within ten minutes of collection)for the presence of motile trophozoites may be diagnostic. When making smears, saline or lactated ringers solution should be used as a diluent. Trophozoites are flat and have a smooth rolling motion. Smears can be dried and stained with trichrome to detect Giardia spp. cysts. Zinc floatation techniques can be used to increase accuracy (Greiner and Ritchie 1994). Repeated examination may be required to make a diagnosis. Giardia spp. are commonly found in asymptomatic individuals so treatment of in contact birds is warranted. Giardia spp are potentially zoonotic and are treated with 50 mg/kg dimetronidazole q12h for 3-5 days. Ascarid ova are most readily detected on faecal flotation using saturated salt or sugar solutions.

Environment
Excess tobacco smoke, aerosols, other sprays or building dust, too dry an environment (often triggered by central heating being turned on), can all lead to itching or poor quality feather growth resulting in brittle feathers, which break as the bird plucks them. Many psittacine species developed in equatorial (rain forest) areas and will benefit from daily water spraying and weekly bathing. A continually dry environment may lead to premature wear on the plumage resulting in tatty feathers prior to the subsequent moult. A parrot with poor or damaged (especially clipped) feathers will often attempt to remove them. Low light intensity, an inability to bathe, or inadequate rest (<12hrs) will also cause plucking. It is often best to cover a bird at night, only removing the cover in the morning when you get up. The bird’s cage should not be left in direct sunlight. A bird living in a house in which there is domestic conflict may often react by plucking.

Metabolic / Systemic Disorders

Hypothyroidism- see Girling this issue
Any form of liver disease may lead to itchy skin and hence plucking. Chlamydophilosis (psittacosis) is the commonest cause of psittacine liver disease also causing septicaemia, and air sacculitis any of which may lead to feather plucking.

Heavy metals
Lead, zinc, copper or iron toxicity can causes somnolence, ruffled feathers, altered feather colouration, depression, ataxia, brown haemorrhagic urates or nervous signs. The presence of a new cage or aviary, toys or unsupervised periods outside, would indicate further testing. Elevated blood lead and zinc concentrations are diagnostic. Rubber stoppers on glass blood collection vials and rubber plungers on syringes will lead to false zinc elevations whilst haemolysis will give rise to false positive results. Blood zinc levels are not universally reliable (Fudge and Speer 2001).

Radiographic visualisation of heavy metal particles in the gastrointestinal tract along with clinical signs is highly suggestive. The absence of heavy metal particles on radiography does not rule out toxicosis, as particle size may be rapidly eroded. More over, the cause is typically “chronic” low-level exposure, which frequently does not involve particulate metal ingestion. Non-enteric metal will not result in toxicosis.

Medical treatment consists of fluid therapy, antibiosis and chelation therapy with calcium disodium versenate at 50-100 mg/kg IM q12h for 5 days. Supportive care, warmth and fluids are essential in critical patients. Prokinetics (cisapride at 0.5-1.5 mg/kg q 8-12h) and gastrointestinal bulking agents (pysillum or peanut butter) may be useful. Large non-progressive metal foreign bodies will require endoscopic, surgical or gavage removal. Control is achieved by identifying and removing the source from the bird’s environment. New galvanised aviary wire may be scrubbed with a five percent acetic acid solution to remove surface zinc. Cages may be powder coated.

Chlamydophilosis
(Psitticosis). May cause a wide range of clinical signs including poor plumage, emaciation, lethargy, fluffed appearance, conjunctivitis, dyspnoea, rales, sinusitis, diarrhoea, CNS signs, yellow to green droppings and “sudden” death or no clinical signs at all. Chlamydophilosis is the commonest cause of hepatitis in psittacine birds. Skin effects of Chlamydophila spp infection are often related to liver pathology. Dermatological signs include generalised pruritus and plucking of the abdomen. Many plucking birds test positive for the disease, whilst this does not confirm that this is the primary cause of the condition, all plucking birds should be tested and treated as indicated by results.

For methods of testing and treatment see http://www.lansdown-vets.co.uk (http://www.lansdown-vets.co.uk/)

Folliculitis:

Bacterial
See Chitty this issue

Fungal
Dermatitis or folliculitis is rare but clinical signs may not be indicative. It may be caused by Candida spp (commonest in gallinaceous birds in the vent area and in some pet birds around the head), Aspergillus spp (seen as feather or skin lesions commonest in pigeons but may well be under diagnosed), dermatophytes (causing patchy feather loss especially on head neck and breast) or Rhizopus spp. (often seen as discolouration of the plumage). Typically there is follicular involvement in candidiasis with white crusting around the affected follicles.

Polyfolliculitis
Affects multiple feathers from one follicle. Common cause of self trauma specific to love birds and budgerigars (Perry 1991). Surgical removal of affected follicles is efficacious, although reformation and similar affliction of other follicles is likely.

Viral
See Chitty this issue

Genetic
Feather dusters and straw feather are two genetic abnormalities affecting budgerigars. The names are descriptive of the visual appearance of affected birds. Feather cysts are common in certain breed lines of canaries. A genetic susceptibility is postulated. Many other psittacines suffer feather cysts.

Malnutrition
See Girling this issue

Neoplasia
Feather plucking may occur over the site of a skin cancer or the trauma of repeated plucking may cause such a lesion (most associated with chronic ulcerative dermatitis - CUD). A wide range of cutaneous neoplasms has been documented in various species (Forbes et al 2001, Wilson et al 2000) together with suggested treatment regimes. Many tumour types have been identified including the following: fibrosarcoma, lymphoma, adenocarcinoma (affecting the preen gland), papilloma, squamous cell carcinoma, myxofibroma, fibroma, histiocytic sarcoma, leiomyoma, epidermoid carcinoma, haemangioma and mast cell tumours. Papilloma often affects the cloaca, choana (common in Amazons and macaws) or feet (cockatoos) and on occasions caused by herpes virus - may respond to systemic and or topical acyclovir therapy. Those affecting the cloaca or choana often progress to cause fatal bile duct carcinoma (Taylor and Smith 2001) For solid bodied tumours, chemotherapy regimes have been documented with carboplatin (Filippich 2000). This is given as a daily bolus at a dose of 5 mg/kg.

Once all medical causes have been excluded and management has been improved then behavioural causes must be considered.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES

The typical pet parrot has the mental age of a four year old child but never grows up. In considering the conditions listed below, doing so through the eyes of a four year old will enable greater understanding. Much information can be gained by finding when the bird plucks, who is present or absent at the time, the time of day, season of year and how it reacts when it is plucking (see initial history collection).

Attention seeking
Many pet birds are bored and feather plucking can be an excellent way of attracting their owners attention. The owner often gives positive reinforcement for the bad behaviour by 'telling the bird off'. The more the owner scolds the bird, the more attention it is receiving, the happier it will be and the more it will pluck. Such birds often vocalise to attract the owners attention prior to plucking. These birds should be ignored, or one can use a ‘time out method’ of behavioural modification. If the bird plucks, you go to the cage, do not address the bird, but cover it up. Initially for a three minute period, increasing to as much as 15 minutes if necessary. The bird must receive negative feed back for its bad behaviour rather than the positive encouragement it has received up until now (Wilson 2000).

Boredom
Boredom or lack of routine is a very common cause of feather picking. In comparison with the bird's natural life in the wild, life in a cage or a household, when owners are often absent for much of the day may be similar to solitary confinement for a human. A normal bird in the wild spends 50 % of the day flying to and from and searching for food. Thirty percent of the day is spent playing with the birds flock mates, and 20% is spent preening. A captive bird does not have to hunt for food, often has no flock mates to play with, and hence will fill more of the day with the preening which may then become compulsive. This should be addressed with environmental enrichment. If the bird can be kept occupied and active, these problems are less likely to arise.

Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety may be as important as boredom as a cause of feather picking. Although seen in cats and dogs, it is even more likely in parrots in view of their high intelligence. Keeping the bird busy will help, medication can be of value (clomipramine [0.5 - 1.0 mg/kg po bid] or fluoxetine (Prozac) [1-2mg/kg po bid]), but is not a solution unless combined with behavioural modification training. The training should be geared to break down the anxiety triggers and to increase the parrot’s confidence that it can cope for short periods alone. Separation anxiety exhibit plucking as soon as they are left alone. Giving them something to do to occupy them when they are first alone helps, although care must be taken that the activity does not become a signal of impending separation. The bird should not be able to predict when or whether you are going out, or even whether you have gone out. Separation anxiety may be over come but it requires considerable understanding, patience and time.

Stressors
May be many, varied and different to what a human would expect to be stressful. The avian response to fear or threat is to flee. If unable to escape it may redirect it’s energy to a ‘fear response’, which may include plucking or self mutilation. Causes of stress or fear should be identified and eliminated. Increasing confidence, (behavioural modification training) and facilitating controlled flight is beneficial. Haloperidol [0.02 - 0.20 mg/kg po bid], clomipramine and fluoxetine may be useful in the initial stages of retraining.

Over crowding
Overcrowding and social stress can lead to plucking. Overcrowding can lead to disputes between birds over territory rites. A dominant bird in a cage will sometimes pluck a subordinate bird in order to enforce his dominance (this can also happen between a breeding pair where one bird is particularly dominant).

Environmental change
Birds are accustomed to a variable life. If variety is provided, they will be stimulated and will enjoy it. If the bird is scared of the cage moving to a new room, coming out of the cage, or new toys in the cage, this is a certain indication that the bird has become 'institutionalised - i.e. acclimatised to solitary confinement, together with all the abnormal behaviour patterns that accompany it. Birds unaccustomed to change are unable to tolerate change. Recent change or a disorganised constantly changing household can lead to plucking. Additions or losses of any members of the household (including other pets) can trigger plucking. Domestic aggression within a household will often trigger plucking.

Excessive preening
This may start as normal preening (in particular at the start of a moult) and then become obsessive particularly if there is insufficient environmental enrichment.

Sexual aggression or frustration
Aggression is most common in cockatoos and love birds. In such cases the head and beak are frequently attacked, although wings, chest and legs may also be insulted. In the author’s opinion, frustration is responsible, at least in part, for many of the behavioural problems experienced in both cockatoos and greys. Parent reared birds mature at five to six years, but hand reared birds can become sexually active from the age of six months. Some birds will regurgitate to a family member, or present their cloacal region. These birds perceive they are human and on becoming sexually active they request sexual favours from their owners. Signals from the birds are misread and not reciprocated. Such cases require a multi faceted approach. The birds may be injected every two weeks on three occasions with leuprolide acetate (Leupron). This acts on the pituitary gland, switching off messages that stimulate the gonads to increase sex hormone production. At the same time the owner to whom the bird has been making advances must not interact with, handle or go near the bird for a period of at least six weeks. Exposure to daylight is reduced to 6-8 hours in the hope that the bird believes winter is coming and that it would be a bad time to breed anyway. Although these treatments will defuse the situation temporarily, a long term solution is required. Behavioural modification training must be used to gain a ‘parent : child’ or ‘leader: follower’ relationship, (rather than a partner: partner relationship) between the owner and the bird. This is achieved primarily by achieving a dominant relationship over the bird. This must comprise height advantage at all times, but also the bird must be prepared to obey commands without question at all times. If this is achieved, further sexual problems are unlikely. Having two birds in separate cages but within each other's view can also lead to sexual frustration and may trigger plucking.

Obsessive compulsive disorders
If a bird suddenly stops in the middle of its favourite activity just to pluck, it is either very itchy or is suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. Such behaviour is akin to stereotypic behaviour, which is seen in certain badly housed zoo exhibits. Medical therapy is oftenrequired to break the disorder (clomipramine, fluoxetine or haloperidol), whilst serious environmental enrichment is implemented. In truth, a major life style make over is required. Other causes of severe itch should be eliminated before assuming this diagnosis.

Feather clipping
A poorly or unevenly clipped wing can stimulate a bird to start plucking, perhaps in an attempt to do a neater job. If the cut ends of the primaries or secondaries are left at 30 - 50% of their full length, when the wing is closed against the body they may irritate the abdominal wall. Imping of the short, sharp or tatty feather ends may be palliative, imping back a complete set of feathers is better (Welle 1998a). A wing clip should not be performed to prevent flight. A bilateral clip should always be performed. Depending on the species either the tip of each wing (taking a diagonal line from the tip of the 4th primary to a point 1/3rd from the tip of the first primary, or leaving the outer 3-4 primaries then removing the next 4-5 primaries at the level of the covert feathers) may be clipped if essential.

Trauma
Any bird which has had any traumatic injury (recent or historic), or internal pain (including rickettic deviations of the ulna and radius), may pluck over the focus of pain.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND COLLECTION OF DIAGNOSTIC SAMPLES

A systematic examination of the beak, cere, feet, ears, preen gland, skin and cloaca should be made. In particular, body condition, colour and nature of plumage, durability of feathers, stage of, or interval, since last moult (check all feather types). The feathers should be checked for 'fret' lines or bars (lines of weakness), which indicate that the bird was stressed by some concurrent disease, nutritional deficiency, trauma or other episode at the time of the previous moult. Check skin (face, apteria, inguinal, under wing, legs and feet, cloaca). Following a detailed history and clinical examination, a minimum database for all feather picking cases should include a complete biochemistry panel and haematology profile, lateral and ventrodorsal whole body high detail radiographs, faecal floatation and direct warm faecal smears, zinc and lead testing and Chlamydophila spp. diagnostics. If indicated on history taking, the following diagnostic tests should be considered. Feather pulp cytology with bacterial culture and sensitivity testing or fungal culture, follicular biopsy and histology, polyoma and circo virus (Psittacine beak and feather disease 'PBFD') testing; intradermal allergy testing, thyroid stimulation tests, impression smears, fine needle aspirates, skin scrapes and abdominal endoscopy with biopsy.

Blood collection is a commonly used diagnostic technique in avian dermatology. A sample of up to 1% of the bird’s body weight can be collected. For small volumes a toenail can be clipped and blood collected directly into a blood tube with an anticoagulant, although contamination (e.g. with uric acid) may occur. With the exception of very small patients, the authors preferred method is venous sampling as it enables more reproducible results. The use of a 25-gauge needle is recommended since smaller needles can result in significant collection haemolysis.

Different authors debate the necessity of general anaesthesia for jugular puncture. Cost, anaesthetic risk, risk of post sampling haemorrhage, age and health status of patient, the desires of client and risk of phlebitis should all be considered. The right jugular vein is accessible in most species. For raptors and Columbiformes the basilic vein is convenient and of a significant size. This location can also be used with patients in sternal recumbency when lateral recumbency poses a risk of regurgitation. The medial tarsal vein, proximal to the tarsal joint on the medial surface of the tarsus is readily accessible in Galliformes and Anseriformes. This vein also has a reptile like skin covering, a decreased chance of haematoma formation and the area is rarely covered by feathers.

A blood film should be made at the time of collection. This can be achieved using a variety of methods aimed at reducing the number of smudge cells. A commonly discussed technique is to place a drop of blood between two cover slips and to glide them past each other before the blood spreads out (Fudge 1994). This technique requires practice. Lipaemic samples may result in false elevations of bile acids, calcium and plasma proteins when determined with non-temperature compensated refractometers. AST will be elevated with severe lipaemia. Haemolysis results in false elevations of bile acids, LDH and potassium. Bacterial contamination of samples results in decrease glucose, CPK and elevated calcium (Fudge 1994).

Feather pulp cytological examination
Should be conducted on cases when other testing has failed to determine an aetiological agent or when significant folliculitis is present. This involves plucking a blood feather and squashing it to expose the pulp using two sterile glass slides or a sterile scalpel blade. It is useful to have at least two preparations. A gram stain allows assessment of bacteria and yeast and a Diff Quik or Wright’s stain is used to assess inflammatory cells, inclusion bodies or yeast. The absolute number of bacteria and the type of inflammatory cells present will indicate where necessary the need for follicular bacterial culture and sensitivity testing. Other relevant samples are collected (feather pulp and blood) for PBFD and polyomavirus.

If feather cytology is suggestive of fungal disease, fungal culture should be undertaken. Black discolouration of feather tips with an oily appearance was documented in captive flamingos with saprophytic dermatophytosis (Robinson 1996). This author has also experienced this in psittacines with Rhizopus infections. Treatment includes improving hygiene, reducing moisture and the use of topical antifungal solutions. Normal feather structure is typically not regained until the subsequent moult. Malassezia infection demonstrated on histopathology or impression smears is considered a significant cause of pruritus by some authors. Although yeast may be seen, it may not be possible to culture the organism (Van Sant 1999). Fungal infections require treatment with ketoconazole 20 to 30 mg/kg q12h for 3 weeks, or topical weekly washes with miconazole or similar topical antifungal preparation for at least 4 weeks.

When collecting follicular samples for bacterial culture and sensitivitythe surrounding skin (but not the feathers) should be aseptically prepared with iodine or chlorhexidine scrub. The selected feather is plucked and the shaft bisected (in a sterile manner), to separate the calamus and rachis. The calamus can then be submitted for culture and sensitivity testing. Whenever a significant folliculitis is present, diagnosis and treatment of secondary infection is warranted.

A feather biopsy and histological examination is indicated in cases of feather dystrophy, to aid in the diagnosis of PBFD or Avian Polyomavirus (APV) (Schmidt 1993), to exclude feather cysts or to support a suggestion of hypothyroidism. Both PBFD and APV are associated with inclusion bodies in epidermal cells. Feather cysts are elongated follicles with a cystic structure containing yellow-white keratin. Norwich and Yorkshire canaries are predisposed to this condition suggesting a hereditary susceptibility. Treatment involves surgical excision of the entire cyst structure. Diagnosis is on histopathology. Further cysts are likely to form.

Pruritus caused by polyfolliculitis (multiple feather quills in a single follicle) has been documented in budgerigars and lovebirds (Perry 1991). The pathophysiology of these lesions is unclear and polyfolliculitis maybe a primary aetiology or secondary to pruritus. In lovebirds feather tracts of the rump, tail and mid upper neck are affected. These can be sampled for follicular cytology, biopsy and bacterial isolation, culture and sensitivity. A significant number of these cases are polyoma positive (Cornelissen et al 2000). Treatment is via surgical resection of the follicle. Recurrence at other sites is common.

Internal conditions such as preen gland infection, neoplasia, arthritis secondary to thoracic limb metabolic bone disease, may lead to localised feather loss or mutilation in response to pain associated inflammation of adjacent tissues. Diagnosis may require detailed examination, full body (in two dimensions) high definition radiographs, haematology, biochemistry, endoscopy and biopsy.

Action to be taken by the owner.
· If the parrot is alone by itself all day whilst everyone else is out at work, consider re-homing the bird.

· Improve the diet

· If possible, put the bird outside in a flight.

· Improve the bird’s environment, (no smoking, not too dry, no direct sunshine, no excessive day light etc.). Spray the bird lightly each day with warm water, preferably allow access to a bath, most parrots appreciate this. Take the bird out of the cage as much as possible.

Environmental enrichment
Remember that the average parrot has a mental age of a four-year-old child. You would no more shut a four-year-old child into asmall cage and ignore it all day, than you should a parrot. Any child so treated would inevitably grow up a psychological wreck. Mentally stimulate the bird, use 12 toys, but only four at time and change them weekly. Toys may be divided into climbing, chewing, foot and puzzle toys.

Climbing toy - plastic chains, ladders, swings and the cage itself.

Chewing - many psittacines like chewing especially cockatoos and greys. They may be provided with wood, branches with the bark left on (non toxic woods which have not been treated with herbicide / fungicide), pasta, raw hide etc.. Empty paper towel rolls, with paper tucked in them, or paper threaded through the bars of the cage. Encourage the bird to be destructive.

Foot toys - stimulate manual dexterity, and may include fir cones, pieces of corn on the cob, nuts left in whole shells to manipulate and break open.

Puzzle toys - one the most important and least used groups. These may include parrot style music boxes and puzzle boxes that contain food, which they can access if they complete a task.

A bird's environments is not naturally quiet, lack of noise in a jungle situation would usually be an indication of danger. Keep the radio or TV on if you are out. Let the bird out of the cage as much as possible, but beware the household dangers, in particular the risk of chewing electrical wires and the ingestion of heavy metals (zinc or lead).

Prevent plucking by use of a collar or neck support, whilst therapy is on going. The bird may need to be hospitalised initially whilst it becomes accustomed to the collar. Collaring (as with medication) is a means to an end not a solution.

Behavioural Modification Training
Most young wild psittacines remain with their parents for a considerable period. During this time most of the bad behavioural problems would arise and be dealt with by the parents e.g. phobias, excessive territoriality, biting, screaming and feather picking. Since it is the parental guidance, which is lacking in these captive-bred parrots, then increased alternative training must be supplied. It is important that the bird knows his position within the domestic flock. The owner should exert dominance, as in time should all members of the family. The bird must be maintained at or below adult chest height. Each day the bird should be taken into a room it is unaccustomed to, and trained using basic commands. Using a 'T perch', do basic 'UP', 'DOWN', 'NO', 'OK' commands. Up and down refer from perch to arm and back, no is simple, ok denotes the owners decision to allow the bird to do something, ie it can only do it after your allowance. Birds soon quieten down and become less erratic and irritable once training commences. Such training can often assist in reducing the daily stress of the plucking bird, as the bird feels secure being part of a hierarchical group. Make all aspects of it's life, e.g. finding food, exercise, entertainment, thinking etc more exciting and varied (Blanchard 1999, Weiss Murad 2001, Martin 2001, Davis 2000, Smith and Orosz 1998).

Therapy for feather loss or plucking
Apart from the behavioural, husbandry and nutritional changes recommended above, medication is also on occasions required. If a specific pathogen is indicated then relevant systemic antibiotics or antifungals should be administered. If ecto parasites are incriminated then fipronil may be applied, the environment cleaned and treated with permethrin and pyripoxiphen. Ifmites are present systemic avermectins should be administered and metronidazole for giardia.

Psychotrophic drugs may also be administered (Welle 1998b, Tully 1997, Lennox 1999), not as a solution but as a way of giving an opportunity for training or other techniques to be used to over come the problems.

REFERENCES
Blanchard S (1999) Sally Blanchard Companion Parrot Handbook Oakland CA: Abbey Press.

Cornelissen JMM, Gerlach H, Muller H, Johne R and Kubber-Heiss A (2000) An investigation into the possible role of circo and avian Polyomavirus infections in the aetiology of three distinct skin and feather problems (chronic ulcerative dermatitis, feather loss syndrome and polyfolliculitis) in Rose-Faced Lovebird (Agopornis roseicollis). Proceedings European Association of Avian Vets. AAV. Lake Worth. Florida, 3-4.

Davis C (2000) Creating a happy and problem free avian companion. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 43-47.
Filippich LJ, Bucher AM and Charles BG (2000) The pharmacokinetics of carboplatin in Sulphur crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita). Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 281-284.

Forbes NA, Cooper JE and Higgins R (2000) Neoplasms of Birds of Prey. In: Lumeij JS, Lierz M, Remple D, Cooper JE (eds) Raptor Biomedicine III. Lake Worth, Florida: Zoological Education Network, pp127-146.

Fudge AM (1994). Blood testing artifacts: interpretation and prevention. Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine. 3(1): 2-4.

Fudge AM and Speer B (2001) Selected controversial topics in avian diagnostic testing. Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine 10(2): 96-101.

Greiner EC and Ritchie BW (1994). Chapter 36 In: Ritchie BW, Harrison GJ and HarrisonLR (eds) Avian Medicine and Surgery. Lake Worth, Florida: Wingers, pp 1007-1029.

Jenkins T (1999). Basics of feather picking: A Veterinary Perspective. PBR Convention. San Francisco.

Johnson-Delaney C (1989). The avian immune system and its role in disease. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 20-27.

Lennox AM (1999) Long-term use of haloperidol in two parrots. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 133-137.

Martin S (2001) Understanding parrot behaviour, naturally. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 117-122.

Perry R (1991). Pruritic polyfolliculitis and dermatitis in budgerigars (Melopsitticus undulatus) and African lovebirds (Agopornis spp). Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 31-37.

Robinson I (1996). Feathers and Skin. In: Beynon PH, Forbes NA, Harcourt-Brown N (eds) BSAVA Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Waterfowl. Cheltenham: BSAVA, pp305-310.

Rosskopf WJ and Woerpol RW (1996). Feather picking and therapy of skin and feather disorders. In: Diseases of Cage and Aviary Birds Williams and Wilkins, pp397-405.

Schmidt RE (1993). The use of biopsies in the differential diagnosis of feather picking and avian skin disease. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 113-115.

Smith IL and Orosz SE (1998). Effects of environmental enrichment in Amazon parrots. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 115-120.

Taylor M and Smith DA (2001). Long term effects of internal papillomatosis in Amazona spp. Proceedings. European Association of Avian Vets, Munich,122-123.

Thiede S and Krone O (2001). Polygranulomatosis in a common buzzard (Buteo buteo) due to Escherichia coli (Hjarre's disease). Veterinary Record 149: 774-776.

Tully TN (1997). Formulary. In: Altman RB, Clubb SL, Dorrestein GM, Queensberry K (eds). Avian medicine and surgery. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, pp671-688.

Van Sant F (1999). Impression cytology: new insights into avian skin flora. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 139-141.

Weiss Murad J: Becoming a birdbrain: how to solve common avian behaviour problems. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 123-129.

Welle KR (1998a): Application of imping feathers in Psittacine birds. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference. AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 227-229.

Welle KR (1998b). A review of psychotropic drug therapy. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference. AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 121-124.

Welle KR (1999). Clinical approach to feather plucking. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 119-124.

Wilson H, Graham J, Roberts R, Greenacre C, Ritchie B (2000). Integumentary neoplasms in Psittacine birds: treatment strategies. Proceedings. Association of Avian Vets Annual Conference.AAV. Lake Worth, Florida, 211-214

Wilson L (2000). Behaviour problems in pet parrots. In: Olsen GH, Orosz SE (eds) Manual of Avian Disease St Louis: Mosby; pp124-147.

[jodeg]

Well, I decided to try something different for Kiwi. I just moved her HQ cage out of the family room (where most of the action is) into the spare room where her sleeping cage is. There's plenty of light in there, but the window, which is curtained, is on the opposite side of the room from the cage, plus she'll have her full spectrum light 3 hrs. a day.

I got to wondering if the dogs, the t.v., us, etc., was too much activity for her, day in and day out. She was in a corner, but a big sliding glass door was right beside her (I tried keeping the curtain closed, but that didn't help). Maybe she needs more quiet, less activity, less noise.

I'll see how she does in there for a while. I've got a radio playing and I'll go in the room a lot, and take her out from time to time.

This will probably upset her for a while, but maybe not. We'll see.

What do you think????

I'm also (again) thinking about getting a male friend for her. The shop where I bought her will have male green hand fed babies next week -- I'm tempted -- again!

[chapala]

Let us know Jo Anne how she responds to the quieter location. Cello also is in a busy spot (tv is in another room though), but he seems to enjoy the activity. They are all different, so trying something new may give you some clues. Does she have a playstand in the family room so she can come visit? And tell us what your plans are after you see those cute babies next week!
Reta

[Sally]

I think trying something new is good. Can't hurt to try.

[jodeg]

Yes, she has her super-dooper multi-colored acrylic playstand in the family room -- her favorite. She also has a nice wooden one (Kristen and I both have them -- she found them on ebay) in the "computer room" and she has a small acrylic one in our bedroom. Playstands galore!

We'll see how she does in this new location. These little birds are so sensitive that I just wondered if maybe all the activity, even though it's just my husband and I and our 3 dogs, was too much for her.

She now has no tail, partial wings, and a downy body with 2-3 greens coming out on her chest. BE-U-TEE-FUL!!!

I've asked her over and over again to just TELL me what's wrong, what she needs, what I can do for her, but she just won't tell me!!! ;)

[lily]

How much longer with the giardia medicine? Because the liver must detoxify it, I suppose it migh temporarily make her itchy.

Sally mentioned that her bird does not like noise, so maybe Kiwi will like her new location.

[jodeg]

Lily-

She finished the Giardia medicine a few days ago. Didn't notice any change. It seems like new feathers start to come in and she lets them come in (long enough for me to get hopeful) and then she YANKS them out! :mad:

She's happy, playing, eating, chirping, giving kisses, all the good stuff.....but......no tail, hardly any wings and no body feathers -- just a nice green head -- but boy, can she FLY -- STILL!!!! :rolleyes:

[lily]

Can you put a barrier across the bottom of the doorway so that your dogs won't go into the bird's room? Maybe one of them upsets her somehow.

[jodeg]

Lily - Yes, the spare room, which is now HER bird room, has always had a barrier across it so the dogs can't go in. This is where her sleeping cage is, and I've always kept them out of there. I don't want to close the door because I want to be able to hear her.

By the way, she's never plucked during the night. I figured it was because she was sleeping, but maybe it's because she felt safer.

When she was in the family room, and in her cage, the dogs were in there with us. I'd put them in another room when she came out, but thought that maybe when she was in her cage, all the ruckus with the dogs might scare her.

Don't think I'll ever know the reason why! I would just like it to stop -- for her sake!

[Bodie]

I saw an article in The International Parrotlet Society about using Bee Pollen for plucking in parrotlets. You might want to email Sandee Molenda from the Parrotlet Ranch. Just an idea.:)

[jodeg]

Thanks, Bodie. I've been sprinkling organic bee pollen on Kiwi's food for about three weeks now, at Kristen's (Emmie, Ziggy and Boogie's mother) suggestion. Also a teeny bit of organic flax seed every day.

I keep trying!!!!! Thanks for any and all suggestions!

[Bodie]

Joanne- Have you tried adding orgainc aloe juice to Kiwi's bath water? If you try it use distilled water.

[jodeg]

No I haven't tried the aloe in her water. She's been on distilled water for drinking and bathing just about since this started the end of July.

When I took her to my avian vet the day after the plucked the first time, he ran all the tests and determined she was healthy. He gave me, in addition to some other stuff, some Avex Spray, an aloe spray mist to spray on her once a day. As far as I could tell, it made her itch even more!! :(

Like I said, if only she'd just TELL me what the problem is, it would be so much simpler!! :rolleyes:

[lily]

Don't give up! She's telling you the only way she knows how. I think you may be on to something with the activity of the dogs. Even when they are in another room, she may worry that they could come in any moment. In her new room, this should no longer be a issue.

The other difference between not plucking at night and plucking during the day is the size of the cage. A parrrotlet breeder once told me that some parrotlets are upset by a large cage!

I'm hoping the secure room will do the trick. Keep notes....

[jodeg]

Lily -

Thanks for your encouragement! She spent her first full day in the "bird room" and seemed to do okay. She chirped for me a lot, but I figure if she's chirping, she's NOT plucking! lol!

I visited off and on and took her out to sit with me in the evening before her bedtime, just like I usually do, and also some time in the morning.

Gosh, I hate to hear that about the larger cage maybe causing plucking!!! Here all of us think bigger is better! I have the HQ Flight Cage and she seems to love it!!! Boy, if it isn't one thing, it's another!

Hopefully, she'll do better in the "bird room"!

[Sally]

Here is a silly thing to try. Do you sing to her a lot? Can you hold her and rock and sing? Chipper is a nut for this. She sits on me and I sing and she stares at me like I am the best thing ever.

If I stop, she looks away... Then if I start, she runs to me and gets close. I sit in my big chair kind of laying back and she sits on my chest, neck area and is SO happy.

If I come home from doing errands, she wants to be with me and sing. I can't remember who told us about this, but I also play a music box after I sing to her before she goes to sleep.

This just might be a calming thing, a ritual for you both.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/wagon500.jpg

[lily]

Well, they ceratinly do love rituals, and singins seems to be basic to a bird's being. I sing to my bird, but I can't say she is enchanted by it. She does seem to appreciate my clumy efforts!

If a bird is utilizing the whole cage, exploring it eagerly, and playing in it, doubt that the bird would be happier in a smaller cage. If the bird seems to stick to a small area of the cage and seems nervous or frightened, cage size might be something to consider. If a plucker prefers to sit on a fovorite perch and pull feathers rather than play with toys or explore the cage, my bet would be either that the skin is so itchy that the bird can't think about anything else, or that the imagined monsters in the corners of the cage keep the bird a nervous wreck. It sounds as if the average parrotlet likes plenty of room. Certainly, I'd give the bird room a fair trial before changing cage size, too.

If you are worried that Kiwi might get lonely in the bird room, I have wondered about fish as companions. They are colorful, interesting to watch, non-threatening, quiet, and they don't have commercials or violent scenes...

[jodeg]

Lily -

She seems to be doing fine in the "bird room" -- active, playful, eating, all the usual stuff. Can't tell yet if she's still plucking.

I am seriously considering getting a male friend for her. The shop where I got her will have some male green babies by the end of this week. They are babies from parents owned by the shop and are at home, being hand fed. Apparently they are "super tame". I'm going to call tomorrow and see if they are ready to go home yet.

I have Kiwi's sleeping cage (an 18"x18" Kings Cage that was Kiwi's original cage) for him to live in, which is also in the bird room. I also have a small Parakeet cage which I can use for him initially, so I can keep him in another room in quanantine, and to bond with me hopefully. I'd eventually like them to be in cages side by side for a while to see how they get along.

My ideal senario is for them to live together in the HQ flight cage and sleep in the King's Cage, plus for Kiwi to grow ALL her feathers back so she looks pretty for him!! I'm also hoping I can interact with both of them, probably individually, so they both stay somewhat bonded to me. However, my main goal is for Kiwi to be HAPPY and FEATHERED!

Maybe I'm dreaming, but maybe with a lot of work, it can happen???

[lily]

JoAnne, I have no experience in adding a bird to solve a problem. There are old threads that discuss the issue. I've heard that sometimes people in your situation end up with two pluckers. I was advised by a person who would have made money be selling me a second bird, not to get a bird friend for my plucker. But again, every situation is different. My situation took more than a year to figure out, but I wasted many months listening to advise (not from talkparrotlets) about ignoring the problem behavior so she wouldn't be rewarded by my interest.

That is good news that Kiwi is adjusting to her new room. I hope her progress continues.

Sally, does Chipper have any favorite songs you sing?

[Sally]

Lily, Chipper loves everything I sing! HA, I can sing commercials, goofy things I make up or childhood songs. When I put her to bed I sing "Where go the Boats?" I sing church songs, also, "You are my Sunshine." She just loves to hear it. I think she knows it is just for her. She loves the music box too.

I had used a small music box and it didn't play for long. Hubby and I went to Hallmark and looked for a new big one. It was so cute seeing my hubby searching for a good song.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/eyesnight500dark.jpg

[GRANNYAT50]

What form of aloe

[lily]

I'm fostering a lovebird for a few weeks, and one day it started plucking! The next day I noticed that the air cleaner had been turned off the day before. I turned it back on and the bird quit plucking like magic. There is a leak in the roof (apartment) so there could be molds in the air. The air cleaner has 40 pounds of charcoal in it along with a HEPA filter.

[alexander]

try getting chicken feathers or i guess any wash them and tie them in a bunch this might distract her and give her feathers a chance to grow or some short bits of string or then again a load of fresh twigs keep at it some grow out of it its always worth giving her a vitamin supplement it might help plus she needs a boost to help grow more feathers

[jodeg]

Thanks, Alexander. I've tried all of the things you mentioned, but nothing helped. I've tried EVERYTHING!!! I think now it's habit (been almost 2 years) and she likes her "look"! She's a happy bird though, and I love her just the same!

I did buy her a cool looking feather toy the other day. It has a bunch of white feathers with beads strung on them and a large wooden piece at the top, holding them all together. It kind of looks like a really large shuttle cock used in Badminton! It's about 12" long. So far, she hasn't gone near it! If I play with it, she shows some interest, but not much. Silly baby!

Thanks for the suggestions though!