Do macaws get dandruff?

[tlfisher]

I noticed Wylie is preening alot and after a session she has white speckles like dandruff. It looks likes she is chewing feathers too.

 

[MonicaMc]

Do you have photos of the feathers?

The white dust could be keratin from new feathers growing in and she's just taking off the outside casing of the new feathers?

 

[Amaya]

Yeah it's most likely the pin feathers she has has growing out. You can help her pull out some of the tough ones to reach like her head feathers. I heard the skin around the pin feathers are very sensitive and can hurt them if you mess with them too much, so just be careful if you try doing so.

 

[tlfisher]

She does have alot of new feathers coming in. She will ask for scratching for her head, and thank-god I learned when i get to those sensitive pins.

 

[tlfisher]

She does not like the camera, but I did get some photos. It looks like she is chewing on her feathers or are they just old and need replacing.

 

[MonicaMc]

Looks like a good soaking bath may be helpful to her!

 

[tlfisher]

I try but she wont let me get under her wings and her back where she looks the worst. I want to talk to her previous owners, and find out what has her so on edge about baths. I Can spray her with warm water from a spray bottle, but its a no on a bath. She screamed for two hours when one was placed in her cage
It took two more days before we could handle her after removing the unused bath. She holds grudges. :S: confused:

 

[MikeyTN]

Have you tried taking her in the shower with you??? Willie enjoys showering as long as I'm in the tub with him. Lola was afraid at first, she freaked out and jumped. But she's learning to like it now. As long as I'm in there....By looking at the picture I would suggest you to get her nails done, a bit over grown....

 

[tlfisher]

Yes. I agree her nails are getting too long. I have tried the shower and she bites very hard if I don't remove her quick enough.

 

[tlfisher]

Any suggestions on how to give Wylie a good soaking without her losing trust in me? Or me getting bit?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Yes, take her into the shower, like Mikey suggested. It's THE easiest thing in the world, and you don't have to personally hold her while you get her nice and wet.

You can either use a shower rod to place her on, or a shower perch such as this one: http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/27017-diy-shower-perch-very-easy.html

Some birds like the water warm, while others actually prefer it cold. You will know by her reaction what she prefers.

Also, she may not like her first big shower, but it's imperative that she gets at least one good soaking a week. Be gentle, but be persistent, too.

 

[tlfisher]

Ok. Got her soaked and boy is she mad. Should I blow dry her too?

 

[tlfisher]

My husband blow dries her
I think that would dry her skin too much

 

[JerseyWendy]

We have a few people who blow dry their birds, yes. I personally let them dry au natural.

And CONGRATS on getting her soaked. She'll soon get over it and will feel SO much better.

 

[tlfisher]

I can't get her out of the shower now. She is too mad at me.

 

[tlfisher]

Is this normal?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Is this normal?

Yes, perfectly normal. That's her keel bone. And yes, they are visible when they are sopping wet.

 

[MonicaMc]

Here's some bathing techniques you can try....

• Try luke-warm water
• Try cold water
• Try ice-cold water
• Try a spray bottle
• Try a plant mister
• Try in the sink with the water running or just some water in the bottom
• Try in the sink with the sprayer
• Try in the tub with some water in the bottom
• Try a casserole dish or similar with some water
• Try the dish with ice
• Try the dish with foot toys
• Try the dish with some leafy greens like endive or other types of lettuces that may create a "natural" bowl
• Try the dish with a vacuum cleaner
• Try in the shower with you - watching you having a blast getting wet!
• Try dancing the bird into the shower with the water already going
• Try spritzing yourself, and have fun doing it! Then spritz the bird
• Try outside in an empty cage large enough to spread wings during a nice rain shower
• Try outside in an empty cage using the hose with a mist/shower attachment

It could be that she had a bad experience with bathing in the past... maybe she's afraid of new items or things because she was never given the opportunity before? Who knows really.



I generally don't recommend using hair dryers as some of them can be dangerous and it could also dry out their skin.


How she doing now?

 

[tlfisher]

She's fine now she's eating her cage. Hey any chance to play with her with a towel so she won't be so scared to tell if we have to towel her for her nail trimming.
She is still mad at me, but I'm getting used to it Her feathers look alot better

I agree with the blowing drying. Oet dries my skin.

 

[tlfisher]

Rating in her cage. She did bite mr, but pushing into the it does work. No bloodshed today