Helping with pin feathers

[NicoleN]

I noticed yesterday that Sisqo has about 8 or 9 pin feathers on his head and neck, in areas where he can't reach to preen himself. He's had an increase in protein and showers over the past month to help with his molting. The question is, should I help him 'preen' these feathers? They're still encased in the quill, but I don't know if they're ready to be 'unquilled' or not. I've also read that if the feather stays in the quill too long, then the feather is useless whenever it finally does come out. What do I do?

 

[TexDot33]

This is what you do ... the next time you give Sisqo a bath curl up with him while he is drying and gently pinch those pin feathers between your thumb and pointer fingers. You are attempting to just crack that casing, sisqo should just be in heaven while you are doing this!

 

[NicoleN]

I was really tempted to do something yesterday. He cuddled with me for 15 minutes and let me rub his head and under his wings (which is something he NEVER let's me do!). But of course, I didn't quite know what to do with them, so I figured it was best until I checked on here first.

How do I know whether they are ready to be dealt with? I don't want to 'help' with one that still has blood in it.

 

[TexDot33]

be gentle, and Sisqo will let you know if you are too rough ...

 

[Minzer84]

I help Iggy preen all of the time (he even let me a few days ago!)...Anyway, I think that the ones that are ready are more obvious to see...also, like Tex said, you're just cracking the casing, it doesn't take much pressure, so you're unlikely to do any damage.

 

[birdcrazy]

Sidney has lots of pen feathers on his head right now too. I cuddle with him and gently roll the pen feathers between my fingers he just loves it!

 

[Peta]

Yeah you'll know if there ready to come out or not, or should I say Sisqo will let you know if there not quite ready. You don't want to be pulling them if they still have blood in them, but you should know if that is the case. As he is letting you do this where he never used to it sounds like they are ready to come out. Good luck to ya. You'll be fine.

 

[TexDot33]

Sidney has lots of pen feathers on his head right now too. I cuddle with him and gently roll the pen feathers between my fingers he just loves it!

Ham loves it too ... well, s/he is a very cuddly bird anyway ... but s/he'll just close the eyes and baiscally go gaga while we do this ... it's a great time for all parties envolved!

 

[Peta]

Kito loves it, (not that he's moulting, but when he was getting his feathers in, had to be careful I didn't pull any then) but Bucc hates it and suffers terribly when he's in moult, he just doesn't realise how great it would feel.

 

[NicoleN]

Found this poem on another website: www.birdsnways.com

MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!
A Poem
by Kelley Gile​

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MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!- I'm sure you will agree...
Honest, it's not snowing, it really is just me!

MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!- I feel a lot of stress...
Good thing I'm not wild, then I'd really be a mess!

MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!- I itch and itch and itch...
This is a part of birdhood I wish that I could ditch!

MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!- I really need some scratches...
feathers flying everywhere, you see my skin in patches!

MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!- I could use a shower...
Ahhh! That's better! I could stay here by the hour!

MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!- will I lose every feather?
I hope they grow back soon, in time for colder weather!

MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!- my new feathers are in quills...
I feel like a porcupine, not my idea of thrills!

MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!- all I seem to do is preen...
I eat a lot too- lots of stuff called "protein"?

MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!- I can't help but be a grouch....
all these prickly brand-new feathers, they're sensitive- ouch!!

MOLTING IS REVOLTING!!-this really is a pain...
What? In six months it happens all again??

 

[birdcrazy]

HA HA that's soo true I love it Sidney is back to being his sweet self finally I think the worst of his molting came when I was having the worst PMS So there was alot of hollering and getting on each others nerves going on but everybody is better now

 

[Peta]

I love that poem, it really sums up molting beautifully.

Kelli, think your gonna have to work on making sure that doesn't happen again, Not sure that either one of you would survive another round of that. :18:

 

[birdcrazy]

Lol

 

[MLB]

Question lol My bird hates baths is this bad or good that she hates water

 

[Minzer84]

I don't know much about cockatoos, but it would definitely make giving her a bath/shower much more difficult! Does she hate all water in all forms, or is gentle misting ok?

 

[Peta]

I also have one who just plain hates water, (except of course when I've just changed his drinking water, then in he goes.) Kito on the other hand loves baths.

I have to spray Bucc when he's in his cage, or two things happen, he tries to take at least a finger or two, preferably a head off, or he just flies away. Oh the joys of having flighted birds.

If you can mist her then great, you could always try and make a game of it, I tell Bucc "Get the water", he spends so much time trying to get it that he forgets he's getting wet, when we're done he gets a tiny piece of cheese, or a palm nut and then is let out of the cage.