I think my grey is barbering her feathers... :(

[Okanairda]

We just moved into our new house this weekend. We left the birds overnight in their travel cages at our townhouse while we moved. Rowan (my CAG) is terrified of boxes, so we wanted to get the living room set up before we moved them into their cages so she wouldn't freak out while we unpacked. She seemed fine during the weeks before we moved. I started covering her for a minute when I brought boxes through the living room b/c she'd start thrashing around in her cage. I wasn't home as much as I wanted the 3 weeks prior to the move due to work and fixing the house, but she was acting like normal (eating, vocalizing, weight was good) and I never saw any damaged feathers. The day of the move I think she was stressed, but all of the birds kinda were. I didn't find the barbered wing feather until we picked them up from their overnight stay at our old place. I'm not sure, but it looks like her tail might be a little messed up too. It's hard to say since her tail has always looked kinda scruffy since I got her.

Our schedules should go back to normal now that we're moved in. I'm hoping she'll leave her feathers alone once she feels settled in here? I left everything in her cage the same as before the move so its something familiar. We also have a vet appt with our new vet this weekend to get her established as a patient there.

I feel really really awful that she's barbering her feathers! She's my baby girl & I don't want her to feel so awful that she has to destroy her feathers... !

Sorry for the novel, just worried!




At least she looked ok everywhere else. No signs of plucking that I can find either.

[kellywess]

Rowan is a very pretty girl first of all. The tips of her feathers could be that way from all of the thrashing about in her cage due to the panic of all of the excitement that has taken place the last few weeks. Also, when was the last time she bathed? Huuh, once she settles a good misting might help too. I wouldnt worry too much, some signs of stress should be expected for awhile until she settles in and her routine starts back up.

[geekasaurus]

i agree, it just looks like theyve been rubbing on something
kind of how tails look when they live in a cage thats too small

i am going to try and take some photos of chickie baby's feather drama tomorrow at the vet
thats some serious barbering
theres feathers under her wings that have the shaft chewed about half way through
and like every other feather on the wings is chopped off from her gnawing on them

i think your pretty girl is ok
if shes not you can always send her over here
really, its no problem
;)

[Okanairda]

Well thank you all for the kind compliments on Rowan. I think she's beautiful too, but I'm also a wee bit prejudiced in her favor to begin with lol. I'll try not to worry. I imagine this is what it's like being a human parent with your first baby.

[Lisa B]

yep, it looks like your pretty little girl has been roughed up...either by thrashing or something else. it doesnt appear to be barbering.

A move is stressful....she should settle down rather well tho.

I too had a grey terrified of Boxes, and water jugs.....