feather chewing

[Mojo43]

Friday night my hahns macaw, Cairo ,started chewing the feathers on his chest. I brought him into the vet and they said they should have the test results in today (they couldn't do a full spectrum of tests because he's too small for them to withdrawal the necessary amount of blood). He is in great body condition otherwise, his cage has a variety of toys (shredders, bells, cuddle, puzzles...), and he has been getting enough sleep (he has a separate sleep cage in my room). All that said I have too major questions:

1- what humidity should hahns macaws be kept at? I ordered a humidifier because while the vet said his skin looked ok she hypothesized he might have dry skin because this is his first summer up in northern california (highs of 100F and lows of 58F).

2-What age do hahns macaws reach sexual maturity? Cairo just this month turned 5. To me that feels like it might be a little late for birdy puberty, but what do I know.

any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[mmr]

macaws start puberty anywhere from 6-8 years old.

How long have you had her? Are you sure she wasn't just starting to moult and she was getting the feathers out that were ready to come out for the new one's to come in??

[Mojo43]

I have had cairo since he was a baby (he was hatched in august my sophomore year of high school and I got him November 1st that same year). I wish it was a molt though, but no. He is biting the feathers off halfway down the shaft and leaving a big spot of grey down visible.
I think mini macaws go through puberty a little sooner then their bigger cousins so it might be a hormonal change.
We also got a kitten recently (she gets sprayed if she goes near the bird) so it could be that either he is jealous or that he is stressed about the addition.

[mmr]

I have a blue and gold and they aren't mini macaw, yet yours is smaller than mine. That is the typical age they become hormonal!

maybe she is early bloomer!


I would deffinetly think the kittne might have a little to do with it!

[Mojo43]

How could I help acclimate him to the addition of my roommate's kitten? Will he do it himself with time?
I also came across this bib on teh interwebs that you can make to get you bird over the feather chewing "hump". Parrots - Feather plucking in parrots - Learn causes and remedies for feather plucking and feather chewing. (its at the bottom of the page). Worth a try?

[mmr]

that is the thread I posted. It doesn't sound like he is that bad yet. also so parrots don't like it and get depressed. As far as the kitten, I don't know. I think in time it might pass, but then they can be stubborn. I would just show him attention and let him know that he isn't going to get any less just because of that kitten.

He also might be hormonal. I see that is a common thing for hans to do during this time. Just make sure you give his little beak lots of things to do and busy!

[Tom Lawless]

My Dave has a lot of damaged feathers. He is not quite a year old. I hear this is common in young Hahns Macaws (or at least heard of others with the same problem). With Dave I think it is over preening and possibly too rough over preening. I am hoping when new feathers come in after his first major molt that he won't damage the new ones too but I think it might be something I will always have to deal with with him. My vet wasn't too concerned when he had his checkup but I might bring him in for another look.

[Mojo43]

Does anyone know if pluck no more is effective?

[kellywess]

Originally Posted by Mojo43

Does anyone know if pluck no more is effective?

I have used it with wonderful success one one bird and I have also used it with not so much success on the other bird.

[Mojo43]

would it be worth a try? It hasn't really been that long but he looks to be building a habit out of it and I want to stop it early.