liver feathers

[trevor]

My 10 year old African Grey hen has a red feather in her neck plumage.I am told it is a` sign of liver disease.Is this likely?

 

[Sassy]

No. It's probably just red factor. Neytiri has red feathers all over the place.

 

[HalfInsane]

I think it'd depend of if she was born with the red neck feathers (genes), or if she has developed a tendency to have red feathers grow in later in life (potential health concern).

From avianweb (http://www.avianweb.com/africangreydiseases.html):

"African Greys with red feathers scattered throughout the plumage are occasionally seen. Such red feathers scattered in areas where you wouldn't expect to see them could be an indication of damaged feather follicles (usually because of feather plucking), medication (for example administration of antibiotics at the time a bird is molting has caused changes in feather coloration - however, this is not a permanent change and subsequent molts produce normal feather coloration).

There is also a good possibility of sickness, malnutrition (please refer to african grey nutrition), liver disease or kidney problems.

Although it is possibly that genetics is involved and that it is a mutation. It is easy enough to differentiate that -- depending on whether an African Grey developed these red feathers over time (which would be an indication of health problems), or whether they were born with it, which would point towards genetics / mutation."

So I think the best course of action, unless you're sure she's ALWAYS had these red feathers, is a vet visit

 

[lotosha]

Lol, I think my CAG was born with behavioral "red neck" gene. I can picture her driving Jeep with a dead deer on the car hoods.

 

[HalfInsane]

Lol, I think my CAG was born with behavioral "red neck" gene. I can picture her driving Jeep with a dead deer on the car hoods.

... yeah. I realized the phrase "red neck feathers" sounded rather funny after I posted it xD. Ah well! This reminds me of a drawing I found that I'd done when I was very young of a duck. Now, this duck, a) looked EXTREMELY intoxicated, and b) had a red ring around its neck. And you can bet I had my mom label said drawing "red neck duck"... being 4 at the time I was in no way attempting to be funny. Clearly I've not learned! Lol

 

[lotosha]

Lol, I think my CAG was born with behavioral "red neck" gene. I can picture her driving Jeep with a dead deer on the car hoods.

... yeah. I realized the phrase "red neck feathers" sounded rather funny after I posted it xD. Ah well! This reminds me of a drawing I found that I'd done when I was very young of a duck. Now, this duck, a) looked EXTREMELY intoxicated, and b) had a red ring around its neck. And you can bet I had my mom label said drawing "red neck duck"... being 4 at the time I was in no way attempting to be funny. Clearly I've not learned! Lol

Maybe it was a prophecy, although you were very young you already knew that birds are little "red necks" I would love to see you drawing, I'm sure it was a very good one!