Bad Feather Condition

[ChefBlue]

Hello all.
Just curious if any of you have seen this condition with your IR.

Other than his feathers he seems generally healthy. It is a rescue bird. Never had the ability to fly, at least since I acquired him. Acts like an "old" bird in general. He does move well but he gets around.
I believe he is in the 18 years old range.

I have seen his feathers in this condition before but this time is seems persistent. I have been watching him and I have yet to see him picking at his feathers other than normal grooming.

Any suggestions on what his issue may be. We do not have an avian vet anywhere close to here.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vb8ffye7tazqk4y/2015-04-12 17.40.55.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jaefgfmcsmt4snn/2015-04-12 17.40.48.jpg?dl=0

 

[amjokai]

He looks like an alexandrine not a ring neck. He does not look good, it is possible that he is mutilating his feathers, or that he has just had an all seed diet... He needs to be seen by a vet... How long have you had him? You may want to do a pbfd and polyoma tests yourself through avian biotech.... its $30 to run both tests on one sample... just go to their website and order the blood vial collection hit and then mail it back to them in florida with a check...

 

[veimar]

Hello and welcome!
This is not IRN - it's an Alexandrine parrot. I agree that he needs to see a vet and get tested for PBFD and polyoma. These feathers don't look good. Maybe he is plucking, and you just haven't seen it yet? I also noticed that his beak looks a bit deformed... or maybe it's just the light. Definitely needs to see a vet.

 

[Delfin]

The Ring-neck parrot / parakeet family comprises of large number of different members, One being the Alexandrine, which is also one of the largest of the ring-neck parakeet family.

Your Alexandrine is looking very unhealthy. Do you know the prior history of this Alex. Things like,
what was his diet?
Was he given any training?
Has he been socialised?
Has he been weighted?
If so, is his weight within the normal healthy range?
Does he have toys to play with?
Was he abused or neglected?

If his beak is deformed It could be PBFD (worse case) through to vitamin or mineral deficiencies. There are many causes that could display this condition and at best it would be just a guess has to what the cause is. I would see an avian vet for a professional diagnosis of what is causing this condition. Which would involved a blood and faecal test. Amjokai has made an excellent suggestion in regards to blood vial collection.

At 18 years old the bird is not what I would call old, has they can live up to 40 years. I find the fact that he can't fly, odd. Maybe he was kept in a very small cage from when he was young and he never learnt how to use his wings. Maybe you might be able to teach him how to fly.

I a bit bias because I think Alexandrines are one of the best parrots

 

[ChefBlue]

Thanks for the replies all. I don't know a lot about his history other than he wasn't trained in any way and was very anti-social when I got him.
His diet since I have had him has been a combination of commercial foods (kaytee and hagen blends), pellets (tropican) and fresh fruit.

I will get the pbfd and polyoma tests done. As I said, we don't have an avian vet on this Island and the few vets that claim to know about birds I have no use for. They are brutal. I have an African Grey and Sun Conjure both on similar diets and both healthy and happy.

 

[Delfin]

His condition could be caused by stress

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi ChefBlue, and welcome to the forums.

You've received some outstanding advice, and the only thing I'd like to add is that after reading you also have an African Grey and a Sun Conure, I hope you are quarantining your Alex far FAR away from your existing birds until you've had some pertinent tests done.

Good luck with him.

 

[Anansi]

In case you aren't already, make sure to enforce the strictest 90 day quarantine of your Alexandrine from the rest of your flock. It could be "just" a plucking or diet issue, but if it is a highly contagious disease such as PBFD you need to be sure the rest of your flock is as protected as possible. You'll want to change your clothes and wash your hands and even hair after interacting with your Alex during this QT period.

I hope the tests come back negative for your newest flock member.

 

[Anansi]

Looks like we were posting at the same time, Wendy.

 

[amjokai]

Chef blue what island are you on?

 

[ChefBlue]

I am from Prince Edward Island amjokai.

Thanks for all of the replies folks. Tests all came back negative.
I changed his diet and he looks 100% better.

40% Vegetables
30% Pellets
20% Fruit
10% Mixed food including seeds and nuts