Feather "Quarantine"?

[GaleriaGila]

I just agreed to trade a set of Rb's moulted tail/flight feathers for a set of Sun Conure feathers. We're exchanging via mail. When I get them, I want to put them in a bud vase someplace around here. Suns' colors are so pretty!

My question... how do I ensure that the feathers carry no danger (bacteria? pathogens? whatever?) for the Rb?

 

[SilverSage]

I would most them with vinegar and set them in the sun.


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[GaleriaGila]

Many thanks. Will do!
Afterwards, I think I'll put 'em in the freezer for a while to kill anything that might be present.
I would love to have "bouquets" of various species here and there.
Prettier than flowers.

 

[SilverSage]

That's a great idea


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[YUMgrinder]

you can have some of peanuts broken tail feathers. they are lieing throughout the house since he breaks them all with his constant flapping lol

 

[GaleriaGila]

Oh, brother, Yum, thanks but I have plenty of bent/ruffled/frayed Patagonian tail feathers! Want some?

 

[SassiBird]

If RB isn't going to put them in his mouth, is there really any danger? (I'm asking cuz I don't know if there is.)

 

[SassiBird]

Ok, so curiosity got the best of me. This is what Google coughed up.

Sanitizing feathers for crafts

In a nutshell:
1. for mites and lice, put feathes in an airtight container with mothballs and store outside the home for at least 24 hours
2. for bacteria and viruses, soak them for at least a half hour in a 50/50 mixture of Isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide.
3. finally, handwash the feathers in a mild hand soap
4. let dry in the sun
5. re-fluff

 

[GaleriaGila]

Thank you, Sassibird!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When they come out of the freezer, I'll do the alcohol/peroxide/soap things!

I'm probably paranoid, but hey...

YOU KNOW.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kentuckienne]

Freezing might take multiple cycles. I've done this for books...there are often some encapsulated spores or eggs that can survive being frozen, so you freeze the thing wrapped really well in plastic, let it thaw for a few days to give things a chance to hatch/grow, then freeze again. Can't you just get the feathers already attached to a sun conure? I hear they nose how to party.

 

[RavensGryf]

Though it's unlikely you'll get feathers infected pbfd from a bird who is asymptotic, the disease is out there, and it's super contagious, super hardy, and difficult to eradicate in the environment. I'd get some heavy hitting virucide like F10. I'd even be paranoid about the packaging it came in . Chances are slim yes, but still. Personally I wouldn't be doing it (getting feathers from random sources). Sorry to be a downer Gail , but it's only my humble opinion!

 

[SailBoat]

My Gut wants to go lite on the extent of effort, but feathers can carry so many 'thing' that my Brain is siding with the recommendations of so many well respected members here.

As you complete the processes recommended, please remember that Sun Drying is important, and to a degree more important than somethings recommended. Not shorting any recommendation, all excellent.

As you complete the treatment process, remember the process of preening the feathers with your fingers to get them to stitch back together.

Take care of the not under diluting the chemicals, nor using them straight either.

Enjoy!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Kentuckienne, they nose how to party???????????????????????? Ohhhhh, that made me laugh and laugh!

Raven and Sail, the more I think about it, what am I even DOING???????????

I am usually the Queen of Paranoia.

The tiniest chance of anything bad happening is so simply NOT SWORTH IT.

With silent apologies to the lovely Sun what nose how to party, the feathers... are... gone!

Thanks, EVERYBODY!

That was a tempest in a teapot, wasn't it?

 

[SailBoat]

No, not really! The reality is that each of us have our stash of 'our' Parrot's feathers and rarely, if ever, have feathers of other peoples Parrots. So, your question is one that 'as a group or as an individual' we likely haven't put much thought too.

So, lets classify this as an exercise in Bio-Home Security! After all, its sounds much more important!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Yes, Mr. Boat! Bio-home security threat assessed, addressed, and eliminated!
Sun Conure tail feathers were released into the wind; home situation alert level returned to normal.

MANNNNN those feathers were so pretty, fluttering away down-wind...

 

[Kentuckienne]

I'm too late! Was going to say, frame them under glass or cast in acrylic.

 

[DRB]

I save most of Perjos wing feathers. I like to analyze them to educate myself on the possible how and why they were removed and want to possible some day create a piece of art from them.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Oh, dang, Ms. K!!!!! I went out back and looked around... all gone.

Yeah, I collect the Rb's feathers. I can always find a crafter or kid who wants the excess...