Quaker Mutlation question

[mary313]

I keep hearing about quakers mutilating themselves sometimes to the point of death. Does anyone have any experiences with this? I can't seem to find out why it happens, how to prevent it.. My Emma is only a month old, but I would never want her to do this.. obviouslly

thanks

[Monica]

Try looking up "Quaker Mutilation Syndrome" and you might get more info....

[mary313]

thank you!

[RubyMuse]

Hi, I am not versed in the behavior in Quakers but am in other species.

A general rule is that a stereotpic or repetive, maladaptive behavior begins in response to stress - usually the stress of an enviroment that is not stimulating.

Causes of this have been: too small cage, not enough or appropriate perching, nothing to do in the cage - no toys, no shreddables, no puzzles, poor nutrition - seed only diet, poor socialization - bird lives in basement because it is loud, and response to physical abuse and unpredictable and dangerous environmnents.

It does not occur in the wild. Mutilation happens after a period of FDB: feather destructive behavior.

The best thing is to avoid this ever happening.

I am dealing with a feather picking bird right now. I did not have the choice to help her when the behavior started so now I have to try to develop a new pattern of behavior after several years - very difficult.

Good question.

[25k]

keep them preoccupied, TOYS TOYS TOYS! stimulate their mind and let them "stretch" (time out of cage) several times a week.

[sofie2meg]

i also worry about this, they are naturally happy in a flock, we take them from this situation which is there natural life, we do it for the love of the birds for our benifit, so i also have the worry that i may not be fair to the birds because i want a parrot. i spend as much time with my bird but obviously i am substitute for her, whether i will be enough i don't know. so this is a very good question and something we should all be asking are self.

[saintsellr]

i just aqquired a 'proven' breeder pair of quakers,and the female is terribly plucked.i say 'proven' because i just dont believe one word the previous owner told me.the poor bird had apparently had a bout of QMS,because she has a purple scarring on her chest.i dont think it was tearing at the skin,but extreme chewing and painful plucking.anyway,ive had the birds for two weeks[almost],and the girls feathers are already growing back.i watch her closely when she preens,and she seems to be very delicate about it now.so,im sure it mustve been an environmental/abuse factor.she said she kept them in the basement,in a 22 by 22 cage..thats it..one perch..and a nestbox.she seemed to think it was ok to 'pull feathers to cozy up the nestbox'.if she wasnt using the box at the time,why werent the feathers coming back in?she was feeding pellets,natural..with the little fruit ones mixed in.the birds poop was all water!and they only ate the fruity ones..so i switched them to an acacia dried fruit mix with totally different nuts/seeds/pellets.i also switched them into a xl rabbit cage with tons of toys and a variety of perches.their feet seemed to be bothering them,otherwise i wouldve used a standard cage.i really hope all of these improvements help to keep her busy and happy..if she starts again,i just dont know what i will do.obviously..i didnt get what i paid for.but i knew that from the first second i saw her.i am glad though,to give her a better chance at life.even breeder birds need attention ,love and toys /things to chew.idle 'beaks'are the devils playground.
ps i know this is a long post,but i just wanted to say,i think most times these birds are stressed beyond belief.i know there must be some 'spoiled' birds that have this problem as well though.i did read that some lab found an UNKNOWN organism on several QMS birds,and they are investigating into what it is and if it is the culprit.

[Monica]

Originally Posted by saintsellr

i also switched them into a xl rabbit cage with tons of toys and a variety of perches.their feet seemed to be bothering them,otherwise i wouldve used a standard cage.

You could have still gone with a standard cage... only instead of using wooden/plastic perches, to use cotton and rope perches, as well as platforms for inside the cage. Platforms most often come in metal, but can also be made out of wood or other material.