Feather question

[Holly the U2]

Holly my U2, pulled out feathers on a small section of her chest, right under the lower mandible. are they down feathers? looks like new quills are developing, I've had her for 3 years, same diet & schedule

 

[Holly the U2]

Here is what she looked like (I noticed the area was inflamed, I used some HealX cream & made a vest from a terry cloth sock) new feathers are starting to sprout

 

[Birdman666]

Yep. That's a typical U2 plucking spot.

Try and stop this one before it becomes a regular habit!

 

[Holly the U2]

The cream really helped, she's almost back to normal.

I don't know why she did it, her routine is the same everyday, out of cage from 6am to 830am, then out again from 1pm to 8pm. same food/treat/bath schedule.

I don't know, she's a crazy bird to begin with.

 

[Birdman666]

I don't think anyone really knows for sure why a bird plucks, and one size does not fit all on this one as well.

Blood tests will rule out any physiological causes.

Psychological causes? Anyone's guess.

Some folks swear by plucks no more. Others consider it snake oil.

Some folks swear by increased foraging, and added preening toys (especially home made toys from molted feathers.)

Increased bathing, aloe vera gel on the skin in the areas he tends to pluck, the use of sweaters, more structured interaction, redirecting the bird if you catch him plucking... ETC.

PERSONALLY, MY TAKE ON PLUCKING IS IT'S THE HARDEST THING IN THE WORLD TO DEAL WITH, AND TRY ANY AND ALL OF THE ABOVE. HOPE SOMETHING WORKS.