Chewing his tail off

[sootykitty]

Hope to find out what is going on with my Ozzy on Thursday. That is when we are visiting the Avian Vet for blood work, exam, etc. Ozzy turns one year old on Friday. He has been molting over the past couple of months. The feathers were molting normally until a few weeks ago when I noticed that they seemed to be mangled when I found them on the floor under his playstand or on the bottom of his cage. I didn't want to think that he was chewing them, but then last night I watched him as he was preening his tail. He was on his playstand and I could hear this cracking sound. It was loud enough to travel across the room! Next thing I know, he's got one of his few remaining tail feathers in his little claw. After he dropped it I looked at it and found it to be chewing off all right! I just don't get it. He is so spoiled that I doubt it is from boredom. He is only caged for about four or five hours a day (in the afternoon) and for sleeping. He gets ten or twelve hours of sleep every night. I am quite strict about bed time. He is in a bird room that is undisturbed, completely dark and very relaxing. He has tons and tons of toys. He gets personal attention, plenty of fresh veggies and fruits, a good pelleted diet with seeds as treats. What gives? Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. Just some thoughts that perhaps I can take with me to the Vet appointment would be helpful. Here are so pictures of the messy tail. He only has two tail feathers left.

[mmr]

what about showers and mistings?? When they moult it is terribly itchy for them. Try misting with part aloe juice and part water daily.

[sootykitty]

I forgot to mention that he doesn't take baths! He's only tried in his water dish. I've given him a nice pie plate with water in it - no interest. I even placed toys in it for interest. I take him in the shower regularly, but he won't go near the water. He just likes to hear himself talk in there because of the echo. He HATES being sprayed or misted. UGH! All the water is room temperature too, so I'm not sure what else to do.

[mmr]

Originally Posted by sootykitty

He HATES being sprayed or misted. UGH!

Weather he hates it or not you still need to mist. I would try that, like I said the pin feathers itch and bathing helps with that.

[sootykitty]

Is it better to mist him from above or below? Should I mist him in his cage so he can't run away?

[mmr]

anyway you need to do it. I wouldn't lock him in his cage. Do it while he is on top. Make it fun, make your fun sounds etc like you do when your playing. Then when done a good boy and a treat!

[kim921]

We put our amazon in the kitchen sink and use the spray hose on him, it feels like a shower. Or we do misting with a water bottle. The shower is a good idea but maybe it's too big and intimidating? I don't know, but when my bird goes in the sink he gets pretty passive because he is off of his cage :P So maybe try that if you have a spray hose attached.

[xafsmom]

Izzy did that with his first year tail. He gnawed them off and fussed them, one by one, until he was tail-less. When his new tail grew in, he didn't fuss them at all. He really hated the black tips, for some reason. He was eyeballing Lilly's tail for a bit and trying his damndest to grab them; hers still have the black baby tips. So, I snipped just the black tips off her tail - she didn't have a huge amount of black, just a tiny rim of it and he didn't touch her feathers again.

Go figure.

[Lisa B]

yes, Sydney did this as well. Not sure why. his bloods came back fine.
seem's he has issues wiht the color red.

In all seriousness, rule out medical first. did you get him clipped recently?

most times, medical issues cause body picking. Tail and wing seem to be more emotional.

[Triciam]

Mist from above, as if it's raining. And yes, for sure, make it fun by dancing around, singing, whatever. In other words, don't just stand there and spray. It could be mistaken for punishment. Also, you said "dark" describing the sleep area. Most birds are not comfortable and do not sleep sound in total darkness. Makes them nervous. You might want to try a night light. Just my suggestions.