The Mai Tai Experiment

[The Outlaw]

I have kept a running commentary about my eclectus female, Mai Tai, who has a seasonal plucking issue.

For the past 3 Septembers, she has started frantically pulling chest feathers. I tried putting her in a vest last year, and though it distracted her, it didn't stop it.

The end of last year, I tried adding a supplement called Avicalm and two other companion meds to try to stop this process. She stopped pulling feathers within 72 hours of my adding these things.

She completely refeathered and again, just a few weeks ago, started all over again. I had stopped adding the supplements when she stopped plucking.

I once again added them and a product by King's Cages called Pluck No More.

And, I'm please to report that once again she has stopped. Its been over a week now and she has stopped removing feathers.

I wanted to share this for those of you that may have what I call seasonal pluckers. These are usually female birds that start preparing for breeding season. Sometimes, females will literally "feather a nest" in preparation of egg laying.

I won't promise that these things will stop any plucking bird and in fact, my BG female Mia is plucking a lot, is too young to be hormonal, and I don't really think her problem IS hormonal.

However, for those of you that are experiencing a similar problem, its certainly worth intervening with these products. Obviously, I get no compensation for pushing any product. However, when I find what I believe to be good and safe solutions to troublesome problems, then I figure its worth passing on.

[kp_in_scott]

Well, I've ordered the Kings Pluck No More for Seymour. He came to me in March of this year with a totally plucked chest, legs and back and very very phobic. He's 8 years old and has been plucking for 5 years. Full check up with the vet shows that there is nothing medically wrong with him. I am hoping that this stuff will help with his plucking. I will be keeping a photo log of his progress(or lack thereof). Sure hope it helps a little with his behavior too. That would be an added bonus. I sure would like to know what a cuddly 'Too was like.

[The Outlaw]

Kim:

Go to ********** and read my thread about the too. What you need are french fries.

[felisdomesticus]

what is **********?

[The Outlaw]

Sorry. I thought it was common knowledge. Its a private forum that I run. If you'd like an invitation, I'd be happy to send you one.


THE OUTLAW

[Jong81]

If the females pluck their feathers to prepare a nest, wouldn't they stop if they had something else to make the nest with? Jake (haven't had "him" sexed), but he picks away at this thing I bought him called a Bird Kabob. It's soft wood that breaks off in strands. Might this be an alternative to the females wanting to pluck themselves? Maybe if they have that, meds wouldn't be necessary. You all probably tried this already, but I figured I'd sharp shoot. I also remember reading about something similar and it being resolved in such a way. The link to the bird kabob is at the bottom. I already have to buy Jake a new one after just a month. Also, I heard from a breeder that Eclectus are prone to pulling their feathers out. At least I think it was Eclectus.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...arden&n=507846

[The Outlaw]

No, then they'll start egg laying, chronically and that leads to all kinds of problems.

[Jong81]

Oh ... good to know ;-)

[Monica]

Bird kabobs are made out of cactus wood... or to say, yucca (from all that I have learned). This happens to be the only toy that my Noel (an ex-mutilater, rarely clips or removes feathers now, and only rare experiences when she'll hurt herself) enjoys destroying. I've tried pine toys, though the most damage was the corners removed, then ignored... Noel even enjoys the various types of bird kabobs...

I've gotten her these types:



(the one on the far right, next to the grey)






As far as my Noel when I first got her, she came with 'Bitter Apple Spray' which made no difference at all. I didn't know of anything else I could use, so just waited it out and didn't disourage it in any way (how could I if I never say her do it?). Though in the end, with Casey's help, she has stopped mutilating and plucking, except on rare occasions.

[kp_in_scott]

My Angel CAG absolutely loves the Kabobs! She can finish of a brandnew one in less than 24 hours. She's a very hard worker.