Anybody with conure experience please help me out!!

[Butterbirdy]

My green cheek conure, Butter, has recently started to molt. I had a big scare for awhile that he was plucking but fortunately that ended up not being the case (as he was just molting and began to grow new in feathers). But today I’ve been scared because a lot of the new feathers on his belly that he grew in from molting suddenly disappeared at some point.

Here he is a few days ago:

Here he is now:

I’m really concerned for him. Is this random loss of new feathers normal in a molt? My family won’t allow him to be taken to a vet due to the fear of him becoming “traumatized” or gaining some illness I doubt he would from seeing a vet. Please please help me with this, the best I can do is ask around on different sites for advice since I’m a minor (17) and unable to get my bird to a vet.

For further clarification: his behavior is completely normal except for the crankiness and sensitivity that comes with molting, there are no bald spots, play with him for hours everyday and always leave the TV on for him when I can’t so he isn’t bored, I give him fruits and vegetables as well as molting food (since molting started and until it ends)and seeds and I clean his cage and toys weekly. I don’t think anything’s wrong with him except for that.

 

[Flynhigh]

How old is Butter? Is he getting at least 12 hrs of sleep ? Uninterrupted ? If their covered in the same room where the rest of the flock is they may be quiet but don't sleep well or at all until everyone else is asleep. This goes for your room as well lf he sleeps with you but your up late he's not getting what he needs. Diet is very important as well, veggies / chop , small amounts of fruit , and small amounts of an all natural pellet if you can get him to eat them. On another note you should only be petting/scratching on the head. Nowhere else as this will cause sexual stimulation and add to a possible hormonal issue.

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[Butterbirdy]

How old is Butter? Is he getting at least 12 hrs of sleep ? Uninterrupted ? If their covered in the same room where the rest of the flock is they may be quiet but don't sleep well or at all until everyone else is asleep. This goes for your room as well lf he sleeps with you but your up late he's not getting what he needs. Diet is very important as well, veggies / chop , small amounts of fruit , and small amounts of an all natural pellet if you can get him to eat them. On another note you should only be petting/scratching on the head. Nowhere else as this will cause sexual stimulation and add to a possible hormonal issue.

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@flynhigh Thank you!!
Butter is about three years old and he is my only bird. I informed my family about his need for sleep since they tend to get up late at night and I will start to cover his cage at night from now on so that if they really need to get up then it will be not as likely to wake him up. I care about him so much and this random loss is really concerning to me. I will do my best to make sure to meet the expectations you have listed!

 

[Flynhigh]

If he hasn't been covered before this ,you may frighten him with the cover so you may want to take it slow, when i say slow i mean slowly introducing the cover over the course of days or even weeks or as long as it takes so he's not scared of the cover. Also when I mentioned flock it was an analogy to your family being the flock. If you have a spare room that can be made dark for the purpose that would be best. Or a smaller cage brought into your room and then you being very mindful entering/exiting the room .

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[Butterbirdy]

If he hasn't been covered before this ,you may frighten him with the cover so you may want to take it slow, when i say slow i mean slowly introducing the cover over the course of days or even weeks or as long as it takes so he's not scared of the cover. Also when I mentioned flock it was an analogy to your family being the flock. If you have a spare room that can be made dark for the purpose that would be best. Or a smaller cage brought into your room and then you being very mindful entering/exiting the room .

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Thank you, I will be sure to keep that in mind. When I read your previous reply about petting the bird anywhere else aside from the head being sexual arousal, I was shocked honestly. I had no idea that petting him would cause such a big issue and I think it might be the reason he’s such a biter and why he lost those feathers. I had no idea that it was upsetting to him and I feel really guilty for petting him like that now, I had no idea that it would cause hormonal issues and I also had no idea that what I thought was our strokes and cuddles everyday was sexual foreplay to him. I’ve been petting him on his back and stomach and face for three years now and I know I can’t do that anymore, but if I stop it now will everything fix itself eventually? Like I said, my family won’t allow me to see a vet and if I tell them about the sexual foreplay thing then they’ll brush it off as stupid. I’m really worried after finding about this. Three years have gone by and this whole time I thought that petting him was my least biggest worry. I really had no idea that it would mess with his hormones and I went this whole time not even knowing this. I’m really sorry, I want the best for him and I hope you can tell me how I am able to fix this. It would be much appreciated.

 

[YSGC]

Like I said, my family won’t allow me to see a vet ...

Nonsense.
Now you know better than your family, so just take the bird to the vet.
Ignore your poorly-informed family.

Stand up for yourself ... and for this bird.

Why people let family members bully them is beyond me.

 

[Talven]

First up take a breath and relax.

You weren't to know that scratching other places could cause issues. Stopping it will help but it's not a quick fix and may not help at all if there are other issues. The little furry tent things that they sell for birds are an issue. They can lead to aggressive behaviour as well as being potentially lethal. Too little light or too much light can also cause issues.

How often do you change the toys in your birds cage? I try to change them every one or two weeks to help offset territorial aggression. This may help with the crankiness.

You're kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place with not being able to get your bird to a vet. Watch your birds behaviour and see if he is plucking them out or if they are just falling out. I'm not really sure what else to suggest. Hopefully one of the more knowledgeable members will come along with better advice.

 

[T00tsyd]

Hi Just relax and stay steady. The important thing is that Butter doesn't suddenly lose confidence or get scared. As far as night cover is concerned, show it to him first let him get used to the sight of it by the cage or near you when he is out. Then place it on top of one side of the cage so he can investigate and leave it there for a couple of days so he takes it for granted. If it freaks him at any time go back a couple of steps and try again.

This bird loves you and trusts you but is worried by mixed messages - you are his parent not his mate/best friend and the boundaries need to be clear. Still give him lots of attention, lots of chat, scritches around the head but avoid even his neck and shoulders and no cuddles inside your shirt or anywhere dark. He might be puzzled initially and nippy but persevere. If biting persists put him down away from you and ignore him so he understands that biting is out. My Syd has learned the phrase 'no biting' and will actually put his head on one side and change his attitude.

Take heart and stay with us there is so much help and info here. It got me through it will you too.

Ha Ha Syd just sneaked up my T-shirt sleeve the little toad. I have had a nightmare fishing him out from my armpit. He didn't like me for a while - but that's a parent's lot I'm afraid. That's a new trick from him. We are all learning!

 

[Laurasea]

Hi,
Sorry you are having to worry about your baby. Truely sorry your family doesn't give enough status to you bird to allow vet visit. A good avain vet that specializes in birds only is the way to go. Feather loss can be due to disease some scary, some easily treated, or to self plucking a) because if disease or nutrition, b) behavior. The sleep thing is very important as you've talked about above. My GCC was not getting enough sleep and it led to lower immunity and illness. If I had to guess I'd say your bird started a molt, and that also started him over plucking or grooming.. maybe from lack of good sleep, maybe from overstimulation, maybe from a diet lacking some nutrients, maybe from bored, ... Hard to really know....
So yes a good ten to twelve hours sleep, dont pet belly and back, add some hot red chilli peppers to diet, the capsicum boosts immunity and they are high in vit A. I believe in probiotics too, as recommend to me on the forums last year when my GCC had health issues. You can get a pet store in bird area use only as directed sprinkle on food, or add to something like scrambled eggs, never put in water. Or a little bit like half a teaspoon of live culture yogurt with no artificial sweeteners maybe twice a week. Mine love the yogurt and us no problems for them to run right over and eat. Clean your cave and all surfaces well, I use dilute white vinegar in water ( never hot water as will release toxic fumes) and wipe all surfac then go back and wipe with just water. If you have a safe travel cage sitting outside with your bird in light shade or indirect sun ten to fifteen minutes 2-3 times a week is very beneficial in my opinion. The sunlight will help kill mold yeast and bacteria, also birds preen oil converts to vit D in sunlight, so next time they preen after being in sun the get vit D, they have a gland in their eye too that helps convert sunlight to vit D. Sunlight also helps mood in birds just like people, plus fresh air and sights and sounds. I'm a believer of the benefits of sun exposure, which their aren't benefits of when gotten through a window. ...

 

[Butterbirdy]

Like I said, my family won’t allow me to see a vet ...

Nonsense.
Now you know better than your family, so just take the bird to the vet.
Ignore your poorly-informed family.

Stand up for yourself ... and for this bird.

Why people let family members bully them is beyond me.

I do all the time. During my plucking scare with my bird I’ve pleaded and begged my family to take him to the vet but they always give me the same bs “HE’LL BE TRAUMATIZED!!” argument or say he’ll catch some disease from the vet. Yesterday I even asked dad again for the thousandth time and he said the same exact thing, he and my sister both got really mad at me. I have asked so many times over and over again and I keep saying that if humans need checkups then so do birds. I can see why you’d blame me but it’s not my fault. I ask my family so often whenever I think anything’s wrong with my bird because he’s so important to me and they always say the same thing, it’s always the same argument. Before I got my bird, I made dad promise me that he’d let him see the vet if there was ANYTHING wrong at all. He didn’t keep his promise. I’m seriously trying everything I can for my bird and I ask so many times. I really feel hurt that you’d blame me.

Edit: I can’t drive yet but I’m working towards my drivers license right now and I’m currently taking drivers ed. I thought I’d clarify.


Edit 2: I’ll ask my family again right now and even give them my entire savings just to let him see the vet. I’m really that desperate.

 

[Inger]

Like I said, my family won’t allow me to see a vet ...

Nonsense.
Now you know better than your family, so just take the bird to the vet.
Ignore your poorly-informed family.

Stand up for yourself ... and for this bird.

Why people let family members bully them is beyond me.

The OP is 17. Be nice.


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[Orin2017]

A vet visit costs money. The possibility of traumatizing a pet simply by taking a pet to the vet might be just another way of saying “We are struggling to make ends meet and for the cost of a vet visit the entire family can go out to eat twice.” I’m a man and we men tend to be less empathetic than women. So, with that in mind, consider the following:

Why don’t you first research who in your area is an “avian” vet, not merely a vet. Then, call the place and ask them how much a visit would cost. Once you know that cost, assume that you will also need a prescription and add $50-$100 to that amount, even though you might not need a prescription. Next, look inside of your piggy bank and see if you have enough money of your own to pay for an avian vet visit + a possible prescription. If you can cover the cost, then approach your mom first and make your case to her. Before everyone here laughs at me, hear me out! I’m not saying go to mom whenever dad says no. No! Don’t play one parent against the other: they will see right through that and it will backfire. I’m saying go to mom when you need an empathetic answer and go to dad when you don’t.

When you explain the situation to your mom, first explain to her that a bird isn’t like a dog. Birds are far more susceptible to different illnesses or conditions than a cat or dog. Be prepared to tell your mom what “might” be wrong with the bird, which means gather all of the explanations you can from this forum and other sources. This would help your cause by showing your parents that the vet visit isn’t frivolous and a waste of your own money. For instance, could your bird have parasites? The last thing you should do, after you have won your mom’s approval, is tell your mom that your dad said no but explain that he said no thinking that he would have to pay for it and explain that you intend to pay for the avian vet visit. It is very hard to tell you no when you are prepared to spend your own money! Let your mom soften up your dad and the problem is solved!

If you don’t have enough money to take your bird to the vet, then MAKE the money to do it! And then do it.

Also, sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

I can’t imagine why you would even need to ask for permission in the first place. If you have the money, and just need a ride, find a ride with someone else and just go. I don’t think the Avian vet checks ID cards to see if you are 18 or not. It’s not like you are joining the military or voting.








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[Ramble]

Just checking- how's Butter doing now? I have a feather-plucker as well so I know the stress you're feeling. My bird seems to be doing better with a solid 12 hours sleep and some tasty chopped veggies and fruit. Hopefully your little one may need something as simple, too. Keep us posted!

 

[dhraiden]

You can use car services like Uber or Lyft to bring your Butter-conure to the vet on your own. If you are willing to pay for that expense out of pocket, and ready to deal with whatever consequences may come from it, then no one can stop you. Just make sure you source a certified Avian vet.


https://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803


Use that link to find one in your area.

 

[AnimaliaPrime]

So, this might seem silly to ask, but do you know about cleaning/grooming his pin feather on his head and neck? If this is your first bird I thought maybe you might now know about that. I adopted a Quaker many years ago who had barbered his neck/chest to a smooth, bald state. The main problem was his owners didn't know about pins and he was so itchy and tortured by the prickly pins that he just constantly groomed the areas he could reach--and possibly scratched too. My current GCC will really start scratching and nibbling herself if I go too long without doing pins for her--too long could be 3 days or a week.

Also, do you let your bird have regular baths? COnures and GCC's in particular are water loving birds. And regular bathing is important for healthy skin and feathers and to soften the waxing coating on the pins so they itch less. My girl gets a bathe every other day and sometimes more. For a bird who might be starting with a problem, there is also a product called George's aloe spray, which you can mist over the whole bird and it's very good for feathers and skin.

As for not petting your bird anywhere else, I think that's not such a hard and fast rule. It depends on the bird and on how much you pet them on the body. My GCC loves a short tummy/chest rub right before bed--just a few seconds. And I sometimes pet her on her back--but I don't make a habit of doing that over and over for a long time everyday. I think it's important to be able to touch your bird everywhere and handle them with safety and trust, in case of emergencies. If your bird starts mimicking regurgitation or even actually regurgitating for you, then you have to back off b/c it means they see you as their sexual mate. I think some of this depends on the overall relationship between you, how the bird was raised from a baby and relationships with other people. Since my GCC started bonding with my husband as well as me, some early signs of "mate behavior" went away. In birdie land there is no sexual "three way" relationship. Three of you just makes a family.

Hope everything is ok with your little one.

 

[ravvlet]

Hey y'all, Butter went to the vet and everything was ok.

http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/81343-amazing-experience-update-butter.html



I was curious too so I searched their post history, LOL