Plucking senegals

[Greyconsen]

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So, I just got these guys 2 months ago. Cisco's stopped plucking, but it seems he has no feathers around his neck? Is that common?

Cypher, on the other hand, is plucking more. Now she has a midline from sternum to ... mid belly. And also the ring around her neck, like her buddy.

1) They were on a seed/fresh veggies/some fruits/colored zupreem diet. I'm switching them to Harrison's High Potency Fine, Mash, some nuts, 10% seeds & Harrison's birdie bread with fruits added (sorry, I love sugar and I can't just make it plain for them -- I did try it and it *is* purty bland even with bananas and cranberries ;)).

2) I separated them -- I saw he was bullying her. Should I let them sometimes "room" together? They are failed breeders that the pet store sold. I have no nesting things for them at all, as I don't want to encourage them.

3) I have given her tons of preening toys and she destroys them, which is GREAT, but I'm running out of toys, and at $11 per day, well...ouch. She LOVES the paper stick kind. Any ideas where to buy more online? I could make my own too?

[Greyconsen]

Also, I see her eating but she looks so thin?

I'm taking them to the vet for bloodwork tonight.

[jimpierce7]

my sennie started barbering after getting hurt at a nail trim. She seemed to continue on with it after awhile, then I noticed all she would eat of the dry mix was the nuts. Put her back on pellets and she is fine now it seems.

[Greyconsen]

The vet found she had some feathers that weren't growing right. So we tested her for Beak and Feather disease. I hope she doesn't have it, she is so sweet, I would hate to say goodbye.

[mabird]

Originally Posted by Greyconsen

The vet found she had some feathers that weren't growing right. So we tested her for Beak and Feather disease. I hope she doesn't have it, she is so sweet, I would hate to say goodbye.

When do you expect the results on the BFD test?
We're praying for her! Please keep us posted.
They look like a cute couple, congrats.

[Greyconsen]

Originally Posted by jimpierce7

my sennie started barbering after getting hurt at a nail trim. She seemed to continue on with it after awhile, then I noticed all she would eat of the dry mix was the nuts. Put her back on pellets and she is fine now it seems.

I can't seem to get her off the seeds she's been on her whole life. :( She is offered fresh veggies, legumes some fruits, harrisons, nuts, bread and some seeds. So at this point I'm happy she's eating. She weighs 115g and he weighs 168g!
He's put on what she's lost it seems.

I don't know much about BFD -- does anyone have any good links?

[Alan]

Hi there, in changing a diet it will take a bit to do. I have been lucky with most of my rehomes that they take right to the new diet but its not always the case. When you are home put just the new stuff in. And when you leave put the new stuff and old stuff.

My senegal, Zazu, plucks as well. He only does this when it's breeding season. I know what he wants but he can't get it here so he's stuck. His chest just has some down on it nothing else.

[nezzer]

Hi,
How old are they?

[slic102]

Originally Posted by Greyconsen

I can't seem to get her off the seeds she's been on her whole life. :( She is offered fresh veggies, legumes some fruits, harrisons, nuts, bread and some seeds. So at this point I'm happy she's eating. She weighs 115g and he weighs 168g!
He's put on what she's lost it seems.

I don't know much about BFD -- does anyone have any good links?

I had problems getting my quaker off seeds when we first got him as well. If there was a single seed, he'd throw all the pellets out to get to it. I finally just "cold turkeyed' him and then he ate them just fine. Not saying that is what you should do....but I asked my vet and he said it was fine as long as I saw him still eating.

Here is a link for an article on BFD: Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) I know nothing of it first hand but I do know that it is VERY contagious and is usually fatal, especially in young birds. Good luck, and I hope that your sennie does not have this condition!!!