Molting...or plucker in the making?

[Vega]

AAAGGGGHHHHH

Last night I noticed my female ekkie was sitting on the cage door...with an ever growing pile of feathers around her. Most were down feathers with a bit of color on the edges.

Now, I know she's been molting so at first I wasn't concerned. Then I noticed the ever undeniable PULL.

Maybe this is just something I can't recall from her last molt--but is is normal for birds to pull out molting feathers??

For those of you unfamiliar with my case my conure male started plucking earlier this year due to stress. The difference with the 2 is that my conure screams after pulling out each feather. My ekkie didn't seem phased, which is why I'm hoping this is just a part of her normal molt.

FOr the life of me I can't remember is she's done this before or not!

Help?

[mizbirdy]

Sorry Vega, I don't have any suggestions for you but I hope everything turns out ok!

[leighrivera161]

My guys pull out dead feathers all the time. Check the base to see if the quill has marrow or if its hollow. Keep her moist and maybe consider adding Red Palm oil to her diet or a little safflower seed as a treat (A TREAT ONLY) or some walnuts. This will activate the oil gland. Ive done a ton of research on this issue since my grey was an "over groomer" with mild plucking. Its almost a non issue now that I follow my own advice! Try not to get too nervous though. They pick up on that. Good luck!

[Vega]

oh CRAP

I got home from work to find my baby now has a perfect ring around her neck...that is missing color. Last night it looked as if she were pulling out the down feathers, turns out today (or I was mistaken) she decied to remove the colored ones.

Upon another members suggestion I called the vet to schedule an appt. They don't always have evening hours there so I may have to wait until tomorrow. She's still eating and acting normally. I have NO CLUE what could have triggered this!!

Could it be horomonal?? I've noticed that she's found a little "cubby hole" for herself. I have a small shoe rack that she's been hiding under. She defends this area to no end, but once she's out from under it she's ok again. I've been stopping her from getting under there as much as possible.

Ugh, good-bye Christmas bonus.

[leighrivera161]

calm down...I dont know that I would run to a vet on this. How old is she? Is there anything under the shoe rack that she could nest with? She might just be stressed and theres not much a vet can do besides do an xray maybe to see if she has an egg in her. How often she she get a shower/bath?

[Dayna]

Originally Posted by leighrivera161

calm down...I dont know that I would run to a vet on this. How old is she? Is there anything under the shoe rack that she could nest with? She might just be stressed and theres not much a vet can do besides do an xray maybe to see if she has an egg in her. How often she she get a shower/bath?

When a bird is plucking the very first thing you do is go to the vet. You need to rule out a variety of things:

Heavy metal poisoning
Vitamen deficency
Vitamen overdose
Infection
Hormonal imbalance
etc

Vega thank you for taking her to the vet. It is best if medical cause is ruled out. A vet can do so much more than take an x-ray. Plus most avian vets can offer really great behavioral advice.

[Vega]

There's nothing under the rack, I removed everything in fear of her swallowing something. Plus I used it to store their toy boxes before moving them upstairs a couple months ago. She turned 3 years in September. I typically spray her down at least every-other-day. I haven't showered her (good soak) in about a month because of the temps dropping.

The reason another member mentioned taking her to the vet is to rule out medical concerns. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened recently...and after turning their world upside-down earlier this year...I don't know what could have stressed her out. Honestly we're getting back into our normal routine after "the summer from hell". Had this started back then, I wouldn't have thought twice.---quick recap--we moved, she got a new cage the week we moved, then I was in the hospital for 4 days a week after the move, then contact was limited for 5 weeks, then I couldn't handle them at all for a couple months due to treatments. I believe it was in Sept that I got the "ok" to get things back to normal--

I'm trying to post pics of her now...

[FeatherLover]

Originally Posted by leighrivera161

calm down...I dont know that I would run to a vet on this. How old is she? Is there anything under the shoe rack that she could nest with? She might just be stressed and theres not much a vet can do besides do an xray maybe to see if she has an egg in her. How often she she get a shower/bath?

A vet can do blood work to determine if there is a medical problem that would be causing the bird to pluck.

Please keep us updated.

[Vega]

The red bird is Gyspy. It doesn't look bad at all, but I'd rather stop this before I end up with 2 semi-bald birds.

I also posted a couple pics of Harvey. The vet determined his plucking is due to stress and I haven't been able to break the habit yet. But he actually looks better than he did a month or so ago.









Harvey before plucking...

[leighrivera161]

Id take my bird to the vet if something was obviously wrong. So dont try to make me look careless here guys! Ive done my research, I know what to look for and Im sure you all do to. I could write a book on plucking at this point!The key thing is, Vega already stated her other bird was stressed. Why run up vet bills when your bird is in a controlled environment. She has gone through a few crazy months. It doesnt help the stress level to put them through test. No bashing please!