Male lovebird plucking feathers to the point of bleeding

[amdeveney]

I've read other bulletins about plucking but none really address male plucking. My male bird, Optimus has been constantly plucking back feathers, I was thinking it may just be a phase or something but last night he plucked his skin and was bleeding, he had blood all over his beak. I haven't changed anything lately. My female lovebird, Elie has been laying on eggs and plucked a little of her tummy but nothing compared to what he did.

Optimus at the top and Elie on the bottom.
Please help, I'm worried!

[shosh]

Not good. Plucking to the point of bleeding is self-mutilation.
It can be physical or psychological.
I would recommend an excellent food to start: what are they eating? Lots of dark leafy greens for vit.A and calcium.
Secondly, I would recommend lots of stimulation...toys, toys and more toys....
Is this the first time the female has laid eggs? Did you change the cage around...or anything environmental. Any additional stresses?
Lovebirds are rather happy go lucky creatures and aren't prone to plucking problems although I did rescue a fischer who had been self-mutilating and plucking....but she came from a rather neglectful home so the circumstances were different.
I might also consider a vet check to make sure that everything is ok with your little fellow,...physically. there could be a deficiency somewhere....
How old is he?

[amdeveney]

He is eating the same thing he has for 5 months. I even started adding vitamin supplements to his water once this started. He's picky with 'human' food,i try to mix whatever i have up in their seeds in hopes he gives it a try. I noticed if he sees me eating it, he will at least try it. This is the second time she laid eggs. The weird thing is I have been able to take him out more these past 2 months then I have in a while so its not from lack of attention...that was my first thought. I haven't changed the cage up in months...it could be toys, i've tried toys with him and he's just not interested...
I'm not sure how old he is I got him at the pet store in May. Last night/today he plucked more...His chest and under his one wing are starting to look bare...
Yeah, I don't have a lot of money and I haven't had good experiences with vets in the past (with my dogs) so I'm kind of hesitant if you know what I mean.

[Addicted to Tequila]

I think lovies commonly pluck for the nest. Your guy is being way too good a daddy though!

Have you tried providing soft nesting materials that he could gather instead?

[amdeveney]

I given them newspaper to tear up, Elie loves doing that. Optimus likes going for wicker though, like my coffee table. lol.

[Addicted to Tequila]

Have you tried cotton? paper towels? store-bought sanitized feathers?

Something like that?

[amdeveney]

Yeah, he's uninterested...but I haven't tried the feathers...can i get them at a pet store?
Its funny because as soon as I wrote the previous entry he was out and started chewing on some paper...for five seconds then decided it wasn't good enough...ha

[shosh]

judging by the type of plucking, though, I am slightly hesitant to say it is only induced by the breeding behaviour. Plucking under the wing and the back ( as well as the chest)...are very typical areas to pluck when they have issues.( especially the left wing area, oddly enough)
Are you giving them pellets or only seeds....I would recommend adding pellets, if you are not...they are a much more complete diet and although more seeds are fine for budgies, they aren't that great ( on their own) for lovies and should be used more sparingly.
I would also hesitate to add vitamins to the water...my vet actually said that it is not a good thing to do....creates bacteria in the water much faster and isn't really beneficial.
Some birds aren't interested in toys although I do find you have to use a lot of trial and error....tearing and shredding toys are always a good bet but, again, different materials can make a difference...some love palm leaf shredders, others like wood, or paper. I'd try different ones....lovebirds also usually like something they can bat around like some plastic or acrylic toys...
I find that lovies tend to like veggies more than fruit so try hanging up a dark, leafy green...like collard or swiss chard. Lots of vit. A and calcium in that....You can also try to make some birdie bread...that way they can get some veggies in there and some mushed up pellets as well as other goodies.
My guys are very fond of the coconut fiber as well....good thing to pacify them..

[amdeveney]

Yeah, the wing is his right my left that he's plucking at.
I'm giving them seeds...they are almost out though so I'll try pellets.
They make the water extra gross when I add the vitamins to their water so I change it 1-2x a day when I do that.
I'm going to make a trip to the store this weekend and see if I can find him some good presents.
I'll try hanging a veggie for sure!
Thank you so much for your help :)

[Nita591]

I have 6 love birds, 2 males and 4 females. I started with a pair and they had three baby cheeps. The father died and I have added a pair about 6 mths ago. They al live quite happily together in a large cage indoors. This is large enough to fly in and they also have regular access to free flight in the room. The cage has ample toys, stuff for them to chew and destroy and loads of nesting material. The females are all sitting on eggs at the moment.
However.......all of them, apart from the original mother, are plucking their feathers. They have been investigated by a vet for mites, parasites, fungus etc etc etc. I gave up smoking, stopped the plug in air fresheners. I give them fresh fruit & veg - tho they will only eat apple and cabbbage. They have seed and pellet food, tho they tend to ignore pellet and that`s why I went back to seed. They have mineral blocks, cuttle fish, oyser shell and charcoal. You name it, they have it.....all apart from flaming feathers!
Two females have the bald patches associated with sitting on eggs, so I`m not too worried about them. But one female has a sore patch on her chest, she has no eggs.
Sorry to be so long winded, but I`m desperate for some advice. These gorgeous little birds look so bedraggled!!