Feather plucking U2

[Ddcljc12]

I wanted to get some input from forum members on some holistic strategies for feather pluckers. Tickles ( 17 year old female U2 ) has been plucking feathers for 3 years, we have had all testing done and she is in great health we also had a skin scrape to rule out parasites and bloodwork and fecal exams all came back normal, our vet says put on a e collar, I just do not like that. We are currently feeding zupreem natural, veggies, birdie bread and Krazy corn. All of the other birds are in superb feather and all perfectly healthy. We also use Gse in all water and as a disinfectant for cleaning cages. I also sprinkle hemp seed protein on all mushy food.
Does anyone else have any other ideas?
Btw I still love her and she is beautiful to me, she thinks she is just lovely, when you ask her who is the prettiest bird she says me

Lori

 

[Ddcljc12]

Oh and I forgot to add she is in the busiest room in the house and we have a UVA/UVB light on her, we bathe every day. With feather in

 

[oled]

I have no tips but wonder if something changed i hear life 3 yers ago? Can you remember?

 

[Ddcljc12]

I went to nursing school 3 years ago, I had thoughts that it was a boredom issue but now thinking it is a habit thing. Btw I am now at home all the time.
Lori

 

[Ddcljc12]

Alienus99. Thanks for the link.

Lori

 

[mandolynn]

I agree with you about the e collar. They should only be used in extreme cases such as chronic self mutilation. She might stop plucking temporarily but the stress it would cause would only make the root cause worse. My best advice would be to try a chest vest. The bird cant get to the feathers so they can grow back and its usually well tolerated. I've seen more success using this than anything else. Of course, you still have to work on the emotional issues, distraction/entertainment, and superior nutrition. What you are feeding her sounds good for a typical 2, but she may benefit from some improvements, such as Harrison's pellets instead of zupreem, cutting out the crazy corn, and offering fresh and nutritious homemade foods ever day. Does the bird bread have corn? Either way, corn is hard to digest, has no positive nutritional attributes, and I personally don't recommend birds eat it in large amounts because its just a filler or maybe a treat. Here is a site which has instructions on making and using the chest vest, along with other helpful advice. Parrots - Feather plucking in parrots - Learn causes and remedies for feather plucking and feather chewing.
Hope it helps. Good luck!

 

[MikeyTN]

Once they start, it's hard to get them to stop!!! You sure can try the vest method like mandolynn suggested, BUT I have noticed they'll just do it some other area they can reach. Zupreem works fine as she may not accept Harrison's, but you can try if you'd like. I know people who works in pet food industry so I won't even go into it, but to give you a little inside story, a lot of different brand is made the same way, same product, same company, but just with a different label. Not all is like it, but I'll just leave it at that....