The Plucking Survey

[The Outlaw]

Dear Parrot Lover:


My name is Nancy Rattigan and I’m the manager of **********.net and a moderator on Birdboard.com, a parrot chat group of concerned parrot owners, just like you.

Many of us have at least one bird in our flock that plucks or clips feathers. We discussed the possibility of doing our own survey to find out all we can about why birds pluck. I don’t think anyone has really done this in the past.

If you have a plucking, clipping or mutilating bird, would you be kind enough to please participate in my survey? In the end, it will be offered to any avian vet interested in participating. This is a grassroots movement. You need not provide personal information, but please do if you would like to receive our survey results. I think it may be quite enlightening. I know firsthand the heartbreak of a much-loved and self-destructive parrot companion.

When you finish, please print out your form and send it to me:

Nancy Rattigan
**********
8466 Woodland Road
Millersville, MD 21108

I would like to have hard copies as opposed to emails, please, to keep a permanent record. Feel free to post this questionnaire on any other group or present it to your bird club or your veterinarian. The more data we acquire, the better.

Thanks again. In the end, we are responsible for that which we tame.

Sincerely,
Nancy L. Rattigan



















THE PARROT PLUCKING AND MUTILATING SURVEY

1. What is the approximate age of your bird.? __________
2. What is the sex of your bird?___________________
3. What species of parrot is plucking? _______________
4. Has your bird been seen by an avian vet for this problem? _______
5. What tests did you have performed? _______________________
6. What were the test results? _________________________________________
7. If there was a medical cause, what medications were prescribed? Please try to remember the dosages and how long the medication was administered. Use a separate sheet of paper, if necessary. __________________________________________________ ______________________
8. Did the medications ultimately stop the plucking? ________________________________
9. Is your bird flighted or clipped?____________________________
10. If there was no medical condition found, what remedies have you tried? Please describe exactly what you did and what results you got. Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary to explain. __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________
11. Please try to pinpoint when your bird started to pluck and try to describe what you feel likely triggered the behavior. Use a separate piece of paper if necessary. __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________
12. Where do you reside? Apartment _________ Townhouse_____________ Mobile Home___________ Private Home ________________ Other _____________
13. How many birds do you have? Please list the species, sex and ages, if known. __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________
14. How many humans live in your home: Male ____ Female_____
15. What are the ages of the humans in your home?_________________________________________
16. What other kinds of pets live in your home? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________
17. How long have you had your plucking bird? _______________________
18. Was the bird plucked before you got it? ___________
19. What diet do you feed your plucking bird? ______________________________________________
20. If you feed pellets, which brand do you feed? ______________
21. Do you offer a seed mix? If so, which brand do you prefer? _____________________________
22. Do you offer your bird fresh fruits and vegetables? __________
23. What percentage of your bird’s diet is fresh? _________________
24. Have you tried any holistic remedies? If yes, what have you tried and what results did you get? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________
25. Do you use bottled water, well water or are you on a public water supply? ___________________
26. Have you tried eliminating any particular foods? If so, which ones and with what results?__________________________________________ _________________
27. Have you ever tried adding Red Palm Oil to the diet? If so, what were your results and how did you offer it?_______________________________________________ _________________________
28. How many hours a day is your bird in a cage?_______
29. How many hours a day do you interact with your bird?________________
30. How many hours a day does your bird sleep? What time do you put them away for the evening?_________________
31. Are you home most of the time or do you work outside of your home?_____________
32. Do you have full spectrum lighting?___________
33, Do you run air purifiers or air cleaners?________
34. Do you run humidifiers in the cold months?_________
35. Were you this bird's first home? __________

Please use the back of this form to add any additional comments. Remember, your input is very important to us. Let’s all do our part and hopefully find a common thread to help all of them. Thank you very much.

[Graehstone]

Nancy this is a marvelous idea.


Hmmmm ... how about something for "Air purifiers/filters" HEPA and others?

[The Outlaw]

Excellent suggestion. I shall add that.

[Lisa B]

I printed it out and will send it along ta ya.
for Sydney and Stirling.

[The Outlaw]

I'm a bit disappointed. How about participating, please. It will mean a lot to everyone with plucked birds if we discover something overlooked. Come on, folks. Its the one thing you CAN do to help us all learn.

[GreetingCardReligion]

I haven't ever owned a plucking bird but I do know that congo african greys are prone to plucking, even though my baby has not arrived.

I am really interested in the results none the less, in case a problem develops in my baby (which I pray it never will) and also just out of curiosity and possibly in assistance to avoid the problem in the future.

I wish I could be more help but I'd gladly pay for shipping once the survey is completed for results (if that's how they'll be presented)

[featherduster]

I have had 1 seasonal clipper and recently a new plucker.
It should be very intersting to see the results.

[leighrivera161]

I will print this and send it to you completed. A little info here first. My CAG is a rescue, and was found outside. He had 3 areas that he was "going to work on" Ill say, overgroomed or clipped. His right shoulder and 2 strips on his chest. Ive had him since 7/14/06 and the problem has only slightly improved but thankfully never got worse. I figured he was scared and nervous and developed a habit similar to nail biting, and is just having a hard time kicking the habit. After research though, I found that preening stimulates a lubricating gland. For some birds who are deficient in a vitamin that promotes function of this gland, they overpreen, hoping to activate the natural lubrication. This is most found in Greys. In the wild, they have the source of Palm Nuts for vitamins specific to their needs. This can be replaced with Red Palm Oil in their captive diet. Im working on purchasing it to see if it works and will report back soon with results. But I have to add to this thread, and Im all over BB saying this, AVIAN TRIO, is a blessing and I think this is part of why his clipping never got worse. I also interrupt him if he's going to town on those spots and offer him play time instead. hope this helps.

[TooLover]

I am just now seeing this - we all know that Ms. Sassy is a plucker, so I will print and mail to you this week!

[crackerbird]

I just read this. Being new to BB and having a recovering plucker. I will be sending this in.
Thanks for taking the time for developing this form. Anxious to see the results.