how can I promote local feather growth (around ear),

[chata]

how can I promote local feather growth (around ear),

I inherited a white cockatiel about ten days ago, with feathers severely plucked by its ex companion. Some are growing back gangbusters on the breast, a few around the face, but an area the size of a nickel all around its ears is virtually bald...do the white stripes on its skin indicate where feathers will grow back? Is there any ointment (aquaphor?) one can apply to promote feather growth in a specific area? I am feeding it calcium, vitamins etcetera
please advise...

thank you.

[The Outlaw]

I wish I had a good suggestion, but frankly I really don't. I would offer frequent showers and add lots of orange/yellow veggies such as sweet potatoes and carrots. They should help promote feather production. Your bird may or may not ever regrow feathers depending on whether of not folicle damage occured. However, its only a cosmetic problem and really has nothing to do with him being a wonderful pet.

THE OUTLAW

[smallonion]

When I first brought my Humphjrey home, he had a bald patch on his little head from being pecked by his cage mate, and he also had feather loss around his eyes. However, in the pet store he was fed only seeds. As soon as I took him home, and he was away from the predator who took chunks out of his head, and he was now given fruit and veg, he started to grow back his feathers on his head and around his eyes. His body feathers came in much more vibrantly , too.

I bet wth good nutirtion and love, after the first molt your bird will be in excellent feather.

Michele and Humph