Are these feathers normal?

[Ann333]

My cockatiel Jack is at least 7 years old. He is molting and dropping odd looking feathers.

 

[wrench13]

Man, put a #00 hook on that, and I'd be catching some trout, for sure.
It is kinda odd, is it from his crest? That's the only type of feather structure that's so different from a 'zon. He doing OK re: weight, eating, pooping ?

 

[Ann333]

No it looks like down, but it's stringy not fluffy. He has never been normal. He has been underweight since we got him but we have taken him to the vet. Technically he is in the normal range but you can feel his keep bone very pronounced. He does eat a lot and drinks. His poops are okay now. A few months ago he pooped out a few whole seeds of millet so we put him on antibiotics and he's fine now.

 

[Flboy]

Man, put a #00 hook on that, and I'd be catching some trout, for sure.

You are bad to the core! That was good!

 

[Anansi]

How long have you had Jack, Ann? And have you ever had him tested for any sicknesses? The passing of undigested food can be a bad sign, as can abnormal feathering. I'm not saying something is definitely wrong, but I am concerned.

 

[Ann333]

My mom had him for a year and I have had him for about 6 months. We did quarantine him at the beginning. But we never did have him tested. I sent blood samples to avian biotech last week and should get results soon. But I could only afford to test for 4 diseases.

 

[Kiwibird]

Was PBFD one of this diseases you decided to get him tested for? That's the big one to look into with passing undigested seed. However, I have heard if a bird eats millet and does not hull it, it can pass right on through and not be indicative of health concerns.

 

[Anansi]

For which 4 diseases did you have him tested?

And as April mentioned, undigested food passage can indeed be a sign of PBFD. As can feather deformities. Undigested food can also be a sign of PDD, as can diminished coordination. Unfortunately, short of crop biopsy or x-rays of the proventriculus, PDD can only be detected via the presence of its precursor: Avian Bornavirus (ABV). But ABV can only be detected while actively shedding, and even if detected only 2 of the strains are known to progress into PDD. So blood tests for that particular disease serve as more of an indicator than a definitive conclusion.

The tests for PBFD tend to be more reliable.

Of course, it's possible that neither of these possibilities is the actual issue. And I truly hope that is the case, here. But I'd quarantine your 'tiel from the rest of your flock until you could be sure.

 

[Ann333]

PBFD and Bornavirus are 2 of the 4 I sent off for. Because I had researched some of his symptoms and was also concerned. I am hoping it is due to poor diet and not on of these horrible contagious diseases. I did quaranteen in the begining, and months later I did quarantine him again and took him to the vet when he started passing undigested seed, But the antibiotic seemed to help so i reintroduced him to my flock. Now he is dropping these odd feathers and I fear I made a huge mistake allowing him in with my dear Pumpkin. I am waiting for more test kits in the mail to send off for Pumpkin as well. My vet is not an avian specific vet, so i feel better sending the tests off.
Jacks previous owners fed him very low quality seed only I am hoping this is related to diet. I have not been able to switch his diet. He was left alone in a shed for a few years because the owners son was allergic to Jack.
If he was a healthy weight I would have been willing to risk a sudden forced switch, but with his keel bone already prominent, I just want to give him whatever he will eat which is unfortunately only sunflower seeds and millet. I have been trying to switch it. He also has pellets available and fruits/veggies/cooked grains. Just like Pumpkin, but jack doesnt touch it.

I felt like I did my research and I felt like i did everything right, but Ive only had birds for 2 years and I am second guessing every decision I have made regarding Jack and possibly infecting Pumpkin with a deadly disease....

 

[Anansi]

Please don't beat yourself up, Ann. You did what you thought was right at the time. We all do the best that we can, but none of us is perfect. Also, at this point we don't know that Jack is infected with any disease. The poor diet could indeed be the culprit, as you'd mentioned. I only advise renewed QT as a precaution.

As for switching Jack's diet, you did the right thing not making an abrupt transition. Especially since you feel that he is underweight. But something has to be done. Millet spray and sunflower seeds make for a very unhealthy diet. His prior owners left you with a very difficult situation.

Perhaps if you tried mixing in his seeds with some diced up chop to entice him? Or maybe bridging the difference by sprouting his sunflower seeds?

 

[Ann333]

I have tried sprouting other seeds, but not the sunflower seeds. I will try that. I have sprinkled his millet over chop and he just picks though it. I worry he isnt getting enough food that way so I end up giving him just seed again for a few days and try again. I have also mixed seeds into a supplement formula and added the vitamin powder to help him get more nutrition.

 

[Anansi]

Instead of trying and then stopping a few days before trying again, why not try giving him the seed/chop mix or seed/pellets mix when he's at his most hungry, and then after maybe an hour or 2 taking that batch out and giving him his usual bowl of seeds if it seems he hasn't had enough? Doing this every day would get him more used to other types of food as viable food choices.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Ann!

Good for you for reaching out and researching. You're getting wonderful advice already, so I'll just stand back and applaud.

Glad you found us!

 

[Ann333]

lol Ive been here for two years since getting my first parrot a GCC. Ive been too busy to log on for a while. Its nice to meet you.

Anansi, I will try that. Thank you.

 

[WilliamKenyon]

Hi Ann. Looking at everyone's posts I see only great information. Personally that feather looks like it came from his orange cheeks. The white coloring could be caused by the feather being old and hence mounting out or it could also be one of his little white blend in feathers on the orange cheek. I hope you find out what is happening soon. Good luck.

 

[Ann333]

All his tests came back negative. Maybe it is diet....

 

[Anansi]

All his tests came back negative. Maybe it is diet....

I'm so glad to hear this, Ann! The test, unfortunately, is not conclusive for ABV or, by extension, PDD, but most other diseases can indeed be ruled out this way. Though I don't know what else you tested for other than ABV and PBFD.

It may very well be diet, as you've suspected. Especially considering that a large proportion of his food consists of sunflower seeds. I'd say just stay consistent with your attempts to transition him to a healthier diet. Some birds are more stubborn than others, but it's largely a matter of trying different things. Keep throwing stuff at the wall and see what sticks, you know?

As for the lurking possibility of ABV/PDD, unless he shows further signs (i.e. more undigested food in droppings or neurological quirks such as diminished coordination or even seemingly compromised eyesight) just continue to approach as though it is a diet issue.

If you do notice anything that could be a symptom, another route to take is to have x-rays taken. An enlarged proventriculus would be a rather definitive indicator of the presence of PDD. (Though not all cases of PDD will present this indicator, a very significant amount does.)

Please continue to keep us updated. I'm really hoping that it really is just a matter of diet.

 

[LeaKP]

I think you now just wait and don't worry - there's no reason to go too far into the "what ifs" until you have results. Until they come, relax and enjoy your flock!

 

[Anansi]

She did get the results. All negative! Whoo-hoo!

 

[Ann333]

Okay I'm going to really push for this diet change then. Hopefully this stubborn little bird is not as stubborn as I am.