Feather picker

[minedweller]

We were given a female cockatiel (about 2 wks ago) that picks its feathers out. She is about 18 mos old (from the prev owner) and has laid eggs before. She is eating well (since we have had her) has a great temperament and LOVES attention. We can't understand why she would be pulling her feathers out. She even yelps & squawks sometimes when she pulls them out from the pain. She is so bad...her poor wings are almost completely bald in the middle as well as in the shoulder region. Any advice would be great? We are pretty new to tiels and want to offer the best care possible. Thanks

[Jean]

My first thought would be to get her in to see an avian vet and get a complete workup to rule out any medical condition that could cause this.

Now comes an array of questions. Do you know much about her past? Has she done this long? Has she had plenty of toys? How is her appetite? What has she been fed? Does she play well?

Until you get her into the vet observe her and make notes of anything she does before she starts to abuse her feathers. Try to distract her as much as possible with something else to do and think about.

Good Luck!

Dr.C will be along to give you her professional opinion.

[minedweller]

Thanks, only had her for a week, we dont know much about her except they did feed her a seed only diet that was the cheapest they could buy, but she is very friendly and she now has alot of toys and gets a good diet of vegies and the best seed and pellet food we can buy. I just notice when she sets on my shoulder after a bit she will start picking away....She also has a very healthy appetite...

[Jean]

I'm glad she has a good home now. Her feather picking and pulling could be because of a physical problem or it could be from an emotional problem. Time and proper vet checks and observation may narrow it down. Feather picking is usually attributed to illness, stress, emotional upset, boredom. After the problem has been diagnosed it can also linger because it has become a habit or neurotic behavior. Once she's seen your vet he/she will be able to help diagnose the problem after adequate evaluation and testing is completed. I hope your vet can pin point the problem then you can properly address the problem.

[Shirley]

I'll add to mist her daily and give her soaking showers 2-3 times a week.

[Jean]

Oh yes showers, Excellent Shirley!

Also check to see if she has skin irritation or tiny mites.

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

Thanks for the great advice, Jean and Shirley! I would strongly second Jean's recommendation of an examination of your 'tiel by a good avian veterinarian. 'Tiels usually exhibit FDB (Feather Destructive Behavior) because of a medical condition. In a young bird, this could be any number of things. You have made a great start by changing her diet, next step is a physical :agree:

[Brandy]

also alot of people recommend spraying them with 100% pure aloe, it helps with the itchy skin, since most of us has had our heat on these last few weeks, that can drastically dry our birds skin out, making them itchy, do yo have a humidifer?? I dont have one yet but Im getting one ASAP, I notice my birds (especially my CAG) is super dry and itching like crazy, as well as my own skin has dried out

and I would make sure shes not eating any peanuts, or shelled nuts, alot of them have fungus and it will make the bird sick and Ive been surprised by reading about all the birds that are allergic to peanuts!!!

my avian vet recommends a daily showering for a plucking bird, twice daily if you have time

Good luck and I hope you get it under control soon
Congrats on the new addition by the way:D

[Jean]

Daily showers can be extremely beneficial to dry itchy skin. If you do use 100% Aloe Vera oil be sure not to use it straight on their feathers. When I use it I mix 1 tsp in 8 OZ of water. You don't want the feathers oily or sticky.

[Brandy]

well my vet said if its 100% pure aloe, it wont make their feathers oily....

but she did say to start off with 50% water, 50% oil, then gradually work up to 100%,,,,,also she said you can put a cap in their water, and rub the aloe on the bare spots

Milly is having some major dry skin issues right now :(

[Jean]

well my vet said if its 100% pure aloe, it wont make their feathers oily....

but she did say to start off with 50% water, 50% oil, then gradually work up to 100%,,,,,also she said you can put a cap in their water, and rub the aloe on the bare spots

Milly is having some major dry skin issues right now :(


:scratchch That goes to show you how vets differ in recipes. I got mine from my avian vet too. :) All the 100 % pure Aloe Vera I've used tends to have somewhat of a sticky substance to it's feel. I've even mixed it directly from an Aloe Vera plant.

I am anxius to know what Dr.C's opinion is.

[Ellen K. Cook, DVM]

Re:aloe-I think it depends on the source of your aloe vera;some human products do have an oil base which would not be a good thing to spray on our birds. I have recommended a dilute solution of aloe vera for some birds with FDB.

Re: showers-at least twice weekly, if not daily.

Again, I must stress the importance of an examination by an avian veterinarian. Showers and aloe spray will not fix liver disease or internal parasites or lots of other internal diseases that can cause FDB :(

[Brandy]

she recommended George's Aloe Spray :D

you're right Dr C, a vet exam is definately needed

[minedweller]

Thanks for the quick responses we will make her a vet appointment for the weekend, I work allot of hours and my vet is closed when I get home... but I will try the showers and aloe till her appointment... Thanks again<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
:thanx:

[gary&chloe]

My Princess is the plucker of all pluckers. She is an Umbrella Cockatoo. The first thing I did when I got her was take her to the vet. Matter of fact, I didn't like the first one, so I went to another one. VERY Important.

I give her a shower at least two or three times a week. When she isn't getting a shower, she is standing on her shower perch while her daddy takes his shower. I hope the humidity from my shower helps a little.

Her vet gave me some drops to put on her food, but I can't read the labels anymore. We also did a feather biopsy which she wrote an article in Bird Talk back a few months ago.

I use bottle water for her. I add two drops per quart of something made from Atlantic Kelp. I can't read the label.

The bottom line is all of this came out of her vet visits and tests. Your avian vet is the best friend you and your bird have.

And keep posting here. There is an avian vet here, plus a ton and a half of knowledge.

[SadennaAndFlock]

I have to agree tiels are not known for being pluckers, if a tiel pluckers there is usually a medical reason for it which can range from poor diet to Giardia and many many other reasons best get this little one to a vet as soon as possible and get her all checked out and and catch any problems early.