How to get rid of crumpley feathers?

[Beakiesboy]

Rainbow was left in a cage and not taken proper care of for so long her feathers got pretty bad looking, since I started taking care of her I have taken her in the shower with me a few times and they have improved a great deal but they still don't seem quite right to me, any suggestions? Is it possible to take a bird in the shower with you too much or no? Any feather conditioners or other products to help? Thanks!

What she looks like now...

 

[MonicaMc]

Baths, a good diet and time is all you need, as long as she's healthy. It may take up to 2 years, if not more, to molt out all the old feathers and to replace them with new feathers.

 

[Beakiesboy]

Baths, a good diet and time is all you need, as long as she's healthy. It may take up to 2 years, if not more, to molt out all the old feathers and to replace them with new feathers.

Ok thank you!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Oh what a gorgeous girl your Rainbow is! Also, welcome to the forum!!

Nothing wrong with taking her into the shower with you, I'd do it at least once a week, preferably 2-3 times, and get her thoroughly soaked.

 

[Lynn57]

Hi, I just recently got a macaw with awful looking feathers as well. I showered her everyday and you wouldn't believe the difference! ( there are pics here on a thread). Also, I started her on coconut oil spread on a 12 grain bagel or bread every morning and I think that has also helped, along with a healthy diet. I don't think you can over do the showers.

 

[BruceV]

I wish I could get mine in the shower. I have to settle for misting him, which he hates. But he's still having trust issues, so stepping up and showers are a little way down the road (but getting closer all the time). Your bird looks great to me!

 

[Kiwibird]

Getting in a little late on the conversation, but so long as they can dry off in a warm spot (so they don't catch a chill), there is no such thing as too many baths for a parrot Keep in mind, they live in a part of the world where it is not uncommon to experience rain several times a day, so they are designed to handle water. Our boy takes a shower with my hubby in the mornings, every morning and gets pretty wet (not totally soaked through). Usually after lunch, he takes his own "bath" in his water dish, and he gets a good "dripping wet, looking like a drowned rat" bath about once a week using the spray bottle. Frequent bathing not only keeps them clean, but it cuts down on dander, keeps their skin moist and encourages healthy preening. Plus many bird find it plain fun, and it's a great bonding activity.

Good nutrition is also essential to feather health. If they aren't eating a healthy diet, they will have dull, dingy and sometimes patchy feathers that no amount of baths will fix. Once she is on a healthy and appropriate diet, it will takes as long as it takes for her old, damaged feathers to naturally molt out for her to start showing the benefits (which can take a year or two). Best of luck, she is very pretty already!