[The Outlaw]

I am currently restoring a very plucked grey. She hasn't pulled any feathers in weeks and was only full of down when she arrived about a month ago. If your bird is on ANY pellets, please remove them from the diet NOW. This bird was on Harrisons for 3 years. Unless you have an outdoor aviary or flight, the bird probably hasn't received the proper lighting necessary to absorb vitamins.

Also, you may want to try covering half of the cage. Some birds get stressed and need to feel the have a safe place to hide. I have a 4 year old Ekkie that started plucking about 3 weeks ago. I have had to take her outside for most of the daylight hours. She NEVER plucks outside, but pulls feathers as soon as I return her. Today, I switched her cage with my Severe's.

You may want to go to the Dr. Fosters Smith website and take a look at cream of red palm fruit. It has been shown to be effective in some plucking cases, mostly African greys. I have opened my first can today. Its nasty and I'm offering it to my Ekkie. The grey seems fine without it.

Frankly, I doubt that your bird has anything systemic wrong with it. If its 3 or older, its more likely hormonal or stress related. You MUST intervene early, however, for it can become a habit very, very quickly. As for the Elizabethan collar, I don't recommend them. Usually, the birds simply pull all of the feathers they can reach as soon as its removed.

THE OUTLAW