Broken Feathers

[Boodahbird]

We have an A.G. that has a broken feather that is broken off at the base close to her skin and we don't know if we should pluck it out or would that hurt the bird. She is constantly chewing at it and damaging some of the feathers around that spot. We don't want to pluck any feathers off until we know that it's not painful for the bird. Any suggestions?

[birdsnthings]

You'll need to towel the bird and just trim off the feather where it is broken provided it is not a blood feather.
Alice

[Boodahbird]

The feather is already broken off short. I just want to pluck it out. Does that hurt the bird? How do you tell if it's a blood feather? Thanks for your feedback. This is our first bird, so we're still learning.

[Joel]

Originally Posted by Boodahbird

The feather is already broken off short. I just want to pluck it out. Does that hurt the bird? How do you tell if it's a blood feather? Thanks for your feedback. This is our first bird, so we're still learning.

I have to say that the best thing/safest thing to do is to take to the A.V. and have it done professionally..... Ya might even have a bird only type pet shop in town where someone there is well qualified to do so. Other than that, ya can type "broken blood feather removal" into Google & come up with a bunch of info. - maybe even pics or someone else on here may have a link with pics already saved for you to view. You do have to properly restrain the bird & properly grip the wing and jerk out the feather in the right manner so as not to cause the bird any problems.... Good luck.

[Luvmygrey]

I agree with Joel. If this is your first bird and you have never pulled a feather before, you should take him to an AV. The AV can show you how to do it properly should the need arise in the future.

[Boodahbird]

Thank you everyone for you helpful advice. We looked online and found some helpful link (thanks Joel) and read up on blood feathers. We have decided to take her to her A.V. and have him take care of the feather.

[Joel]

Originally Posted by Boodahbird

Thank you everyone for you helpful advice. We looked online and found some helpful link (thanks Joel) and read up on blood feathers. We have decided to take her to her A.V. and have him take care of the feather.

Now stick around more often too Cissy!!!!

[birdsnthings]

If there is no bleeding it's not an emergency.
Pulling the feather is not necessary all the time. It does hurt when it's pulled and it needs to be done right.

Alice

[radiogirl995]

Let us know how it goes and if your A.V. pulls it out. And post pics if you have any!
There are a lot of us new Grey owners here and we can all learn from your experiences!!!

[Winged_Victory]

Joel is correct, have you AV do it while you watch. If the feather is not or has not been bleeding in may in fact not need to be removed. I have a large Buffons who plays with his GW buddy and has very few tail feathers left in tact. I don't worry about them unless they are bleed or have bled. If the have bled there is a good chance they could be bumped and bleed when you are not around to stop the bleeding or pull the feather.