Molting, not plucking

[Siobhan]

When Rocky came to us, his feathers were in sad shape and he had bare spots (not just where he's supposed to have them -- on his tummy and legs, too). The food they gave him in the last place was awful and he immediately accepted good food in its place. It took some time, but his feather condition improved dramatically and he put on some weight so he was looking like a proper U2.

Recently, his feathers started to look ragged again and a bare spot appeared on his tummy and we thought he'd started plucking, but I examined him closely -- he'll let me do that now -- and turns out he's just having his big molt. I can see where new feathers are coming in and it's such a relief. My other birds occasionally have really big molts, and they get really grouchy. He's not grouchy, thank goodness. Who wants to cope with a grouchy 'too????

 

[GaleriaGila]

Oh MANNNNNNNN, that must have been a relief!
Thank you for rescuing that little guy, by the way...

 

[Scott]

Nice to hear success stories, rescued cockatoos are always a challenge!

See if he will let you help open the feathers once they are mature. (past the stage of being "blood feathers.") Many of mine will, and it is a great bonding experience!

 

[Allee]

This really makes me smile! I love success stories and sweet Rocky's story is a classic. Poppy sends her love. My girl gets uncharacteristically cranky when her new feathers come in, she will let me unwrap them but she complains bitterly.

 

[davefv92c]

Sammy has been at it seems for months now I just look over the feathers I find in his cage to make sure they have not been damaged. he has yet to get any bald spots but his head feathers are a bit thin right now and he just loves the head rubbings now but you have to be careful of the new ones. can't say he seems to be cranky

 

[Anansi]

I'm really glad that it turned out to be a molt rather than a bout of plucking. I'm heartened to see how well Rocky is doing under your care. It's amazing how far he's come from when you first got him.

 

[Siobhan]

I preen his pinnies regularly. He let me do that almost from the first day. Some things we've had to work up to, like filing his nails. We only recently graduated to being allowed to do that. I can do almost anything I want now, and if he doesn't like it, he makes a particular sound that I've learned to recognize, and kind of pulls away and gives me a dirty look. LOL He also knows how to use a napkin and eats dinner with us every night. He does not enjoy washing dishes, even though all he has to do is boss the job from my shoulder. So I do the dishes (Hubby does the cooking) and Rocky hangs out with daddy and watches TV.