Plucking

[winglet]

Hi everyone, I am new to the board and would love to have some advise.
I have an 3 year old Africian Grey...the love of my life. The problem is with Plucking his feathers its driving me to distraction when I see a new patch on him.Firstly it started just under his neck and over the months he has plucked down his chest and even on his leg.It really is distressing for me seeing this.When he first started plucking I would come down stairs in the morning to find the bottom of his cage full of plucked feathers.Obviously I took (Charlie) to the avian expert vet.He gave me medicine to give to him to calm him down I used this for 1 month ...never saw any difference at all he still plucked!! follow up at the vets the medicine was increase.....1month later still no difference....follow up vet gave more medicine like an inflamatory so Charlie was on 2 lots of medicine....1 later still no difference...vet did a feather condition test....10/10 looked at feathers under microscope..no mites or anything noted....He advised to continue with the medicine I did till my script ran out (he had been having this medicine for over 2 months with no effect then I decided I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO BE PUMPED WITH DRUGS THAT WERE DOING HIM NO GOOD AT ALL what was the point?? Charlie has lots of toys in his cage He is always happy learning new words all the time his diet is varied and good he comes out of his cage a lot and interacts with me and the rest of the family.I haven't changed anything in the house the routine is still the same furniture hasn't been moved,no new people are in the house...everything is the same as it was when we first had Charlie...so as you can see I don't know what to do next any suggestion from you guys!!

[mmr]

do you switch the toys out daily? Giving him somethign new everyday in HIS HOUSE? Do you have foraging toys? Also what about his diet? Do you give him things to chew on and take apart?
Sound like to me that he is boared.

Rearrange his cage weekly also. Perches, dishes, everything put in a new spot.

It also just might be obssesive habits that can't be stopped. Try all the things I noted above before we jump to conclusions.


Parrots - Feather plucking in parrots - Learn causes and remedies for feather plucking and feather chewing.

[mmr]

This one is better!


Complexities of Feather Destructive Behavior

[winglet]

Thanks for your reply mmr.
Yes I renew his toys, not daily as I have read that birds can be stressed out with changes (difference of opinion with people)I am always buying new toys for him to tear apart he has a multitude of things to chew on.I'm am sure it is just habit now just like some of us bite our nails Charlie plucks his feathers.I've tried Aloe Vera in his spraying water I have even purchased a spray called "nibble deterrent" but still he will pluck after a few hours. He knows he is doing wrong because when he catches me looking at him he stops immediately. I have done my best to cure him of this problem but now I think there is no cure we will just have to put up with it.He gets more "ME" time than anyone in the house so I can't say he is bored.

[winglet]

Hey mmr have just been reading through both the links you have sent me and it was suggested to spay with something the bird doesn't like well as I have said I have used "nibble deterrent" so now I am going to try a small measure of mustard in warm water...have just sprayed him with it so we will see how it goes...anything is worth a try...will keep you posted

[mmr]

how are you petting your baby? You may be unknowingly frustrating him sexually there fore he is plucking!

[winglet]

Originally Posted by mmr

how are you petting your baby? You may be unknowingly frustrating him sexually there fore he is plucking!

Lol I see where you are coming from mmr.

and you are quite right...when I pet him he drops his wings, yep I know thats a sign and I have distracted him he doesn't do it anymore.Now he will come and sit beside me and I scratch his head and under his neck but no further dropping of wings I'm glad to say.

[mmr]

Originally Posted by winglet

sit beside me and I scratch his head and under his neck but no further dropping of wings I'm glad to say.

EXCELLENT!!! Now if I could convince other's on here about proper petting! LOL

[winglet]

Originally Posted by mmr

EXCELLENT!!! Now if I could convince other's on here about proper petting! LOL

Lol

We wait all our lives for someone to love us and I get a parrot who thinks I am his partner

[babypiggy]

have u tried red palm oil?