My Poor Coqui Started To Pick Her Feathers

[Blancaej]

Hi Everyone,

I know I've been away from the forum for awhile again. Work is always busy but I've been dealing with my poor Coqui plucking her feathers over the last two months. It started in the beginning of May. I've taken her to the vet and she is perfectly healthy. The vet and I believe she is picking due to maturity and hormones.

My biggest worry is it will become habit. Unfortunately she is still picking and I'm afraid it is becoming a habit. I've got her on supplements and have made her many toys to help distract her. I do think some of that is helping. Here are some blog posts I've done about it over the past couple of months. I will be posting a new update soon and will share that here, too. Once it is up I will add it here.

I totally have a new respect for parronts who have plucking birds. Even really good parronts can have this happen. Sometimes it is out of your control and all you can do is help them through it.

My first post about her plucking ~
The Sweet Life Of A Parrot: My First Ever Plucking Issue!

Time For A Vet Visit ~
The Sweet Life Of A Parrot: Time For A Vet Visit For My Coqui

How The Vet Visit Went ~
The Sweet Life Of A Parrot: Coqui's Vet Visit

An Update On Her Picking ~
The Sweet Life Of A Parrot: Coqui's Plucking Update

Supplements Recommended By Friends & The Vet
The Sweet Life Of A Parrot: Supplements For Coqui From My Safe Bird Store

Keeping Her Busy! ~
The Sweet Life Of A Parrot: A Great Foraging Toy


The Plucking Continues ~
The Sweet Life Of A Parrot: How Coqui Did While I Was On Vacation

Thanks for reading my post and wish us luck. We are going to need it!

 

[Terry57]

Blanca, I am so very sorry that Coqui is plucking
I have adopted several pluckers and it is heartbreaking.
I know that if anyone can help Coqui, it is you. Hopefully if it is hormonal, she will stop once that passes.
My CBC, Phoe, has only gotten worse over the years as it definitely became a habit, and nothing I have done seems to make much difference. I am so hoping for a different outcome for Coqui, but no matter what happens, Coqui could not be in better hands.
Sending good wishes and thoughts your way.

 

[Allee]

Oh Blanca, I'm so sorry to hear this! I know you are doing everything humanly possible to help. It does look like a classic case of female hormone induced plucking right down to the shaved legs. I know how hard it is to watch and how frustrating to not be able to find a quick solution. My little plucker likes lots of showers and I use aloe spray when she irritates the skin. It sounds like you have a wonderful, caring vet, that makes all the difference in pinpointing the problem. Huge hugs for you and lots of love and skritches for beautiful Coque, I hope this episode is over very soon.

 

[Blancaej]

Blanca, I am so very sorry that Coqui is plucking
I have adopted several pluckers and it is heartbreaking.
I know that if anyone can help Coqui, it is you. Hopefully if it is hormonal, she will stop once that passes.
My CBC, Phoe, has only gotten worse over the years as it definitely became a habit, and nothing I have done seems to make much difference. I am so hoping for a different outcome for Coqui, but no matter what happens, Coqui could not be in better hands.
Sending good wishes and thoughts your way.

Thanks Terry, that really means a lot! :heart: I know you've seen my posts on Facebook and your support has been very much appreciated!

No matter what happens we will always love our little Coqui, even if she stays our little naked chicken!

 

[Blancaej]

Oh Blanca, I'm so sorry to hear this! I know you are doing everything humanly possible to help. It does look like a classic case of female hormone induced plucking right down to the shaved legs. I know how hard it is to watch and how frustrating to not be able to find a quick solution. My little plucker likes lots of showers and I use aloe spray when she irritates the skin. It sounds like you have a wonderful, caring vet, that makes all the difference in pinpointing the problem. Huge hugs for you and lots of love and skritches for beautiful Coque, I hope this episode is over very soon.

Thank you so much Allee! :heart: It really helps to hear from others who have gone through the same thing. I have been spraying her daily and giving her soakings in the shower regularly. I like the idea of the Aloe spray. Where is a good place to find that? I've never shopped for Aloe spray before.

Thanks for the hugs and skritches. They are always appreciated.

 

[Allee]

Blanca, this is the brand Harry's vet recommended. It makes her skin and feathers a little oily but it has an immediate effect on the irritated skin and the frequent showers wash it away pretty fast.

https://www.amazon.com/Harrisons-Soother-Topical-Spray-HealX/dp/B004TA9RYC

It's rather expensive but it lasts a long time. You can also make your own, one part 100% aloe juice to three parts water. I keep it refrigerated and Harry seems to appreciate it. I hope it will help Coque too.

 

[Blancaej]

Blanca, this is the brand Harry's vet recommended. It makes her skin and feathers a little oily but it has an immediate effect on the irritated skin and the frequent showers wash it away pretty fast.

https://www.amazon.com/Harrisons-Soother-Topical-Spray-HealX/dp/B004TA9RYC

It's rather expensive but it lasts a long time. You can also make your own, one part 100% aloe juice to three parts water. I keep it refrigerated and Harry seems to appreciate it. I hope it will help Coque too.

Awesome! Thanks Allee!!

 

[Terry57]

Blanca. you will always have my support

 

[Blancaej]

Blanca. you will always have my support

Thanks Terry!

 

[chris-md]

I'm so sorry about this Blanca. When you experience it for the first time it's truly heart wrenching.

If your vet thinks it's hormones you can get a deslorelin implant that works to block the estrogen responsible. It's about $400-500 and lasts for a year. We just did this for my Parker in case his plucking really is due to hormones.

Good luck to you two. I'm rooting for you.

 

[Blancaej]

Thank you Chris. Everyone's support has been really helpful. Especially from those who have gone through it themselves.

Thanks for the info on the deslorelin I will certainly mention it to the vet.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

So sorry to hear this I do hope you find something that helps and relieves Coqui of the urge to pluck but sometimes no matter what you do this can happen so while I leave the birdie advice to the others who are experienced in this area I will give you just one little tip that also greatly affects Coqui but it also effects you too...relax about it...sure keep trying to stop the habbit but relax in yourself about it ... your Coqui is just as lovable with or without her beautiful feathers and by calming yourself in this way you are also destressing the situaton a little for Coqui.

 

[Blancaej]

So sorry to hear this I do hope you find something that helps and relieves Coqui of the urge to pluck but sometimes no matter what you do this can happen so while I leave the birdie advice to the others who are experienced in this area I will give you just one little tip that also greatly affects Coqui but it also effects you too...relax about it...sure keep trying to stop the habbit but relax in yourself about it ... your Coqui is just as lovable with or without her beautiful feathers and by calming yourself in this way you are also destressing the situaton a little for Coqui.

Some great advice Birdgirl!! You know I really have done just that lately. I had to come to terms with it and I think I am finally there. I know that no matter what I will love my girl. So I have been just doing what I can and sticking to her normal routine. It's so nice to hear someone else say that though. So thank you for that! It really means a lot and helps me realize I am doing the right things. :smile015:

 

[MyBirdsHouse]

Hi Blanca,

Couple things that might make you feel better, hopefully.

True, the plucking is more than likely hormonal, but did you know why? Female cockatoos are more common pluckers because of this: The reason she is plucking out her chest and belly feathers is because, in the wild, females do this when they are getting ready to lay eggs to better keep the eggs warm. Their skin contact to the egg keeps them warmer than if they had feathers. Quite a fascinating and clever instinct wouldn't you agree?

Because of this, I hope you realize that its not your fault. Nor is it likely due to stress or any other negative reasons.

This is very important: Try not to treat her any different. Make sure she gets all the love and attention that all cockatoos require, but do you best not to worry or fuss about the plucking.

If it is indeed just a natural hormonal phase, then she is simply following instinct, and is a good girl

What tends to happen, especially with cockatoos, is the owner worries and tries to 'fix' the plucking. But the bird picks up on this strange behavior and worry from their beloved owner and starts to worry too. This is what can turn the plucking into a permanent habit.

I hope this was helpful and best of luck to you and your beautiful girl

Happy 4th!

Leigh from My Birds House

 

[Blancaej]

Hi Blanca,

Couple things that might make you feel better, hopefully.

True, the plucking is more than likely hormonal, but did you know why? Female cockatoos are more common pluckers because of this: The reason she is plucking out her chest and belly feathers is because, in the wild, females do this when they are getting ready to lay eggs to better keep the eggs warm. Their skin contact to the egg keeps them warmer than if they had feathers. Quite a fascinating and clever instinct wouldn't you agree?

Because of this, I hope you realize that its not your fault. Nor is it likely due to stress or any other negative reasons.

This is very important: Try not to treat her any different. Make sure she gets all the love and attention that all cockatoos require, but do you best not to worry or fuss about the plucking.

If it is indeed just a natural hormonal phase, then she is simply following instinct, and is a good girl

What tends to happen, especially with cockatoos, is the owner worries and tries to 'fix' the plucking. But the bird picks up on this strange behavior and worry from their beloved owner and starts to worry too. This is what can turn the plucking into a permanent habit.

I hope this was helpful and best of luck to you and your beautiful girl

Happy 4th!

Leigh from My Birds House

Thank you Leigh for all the info and advice. It is very much appreciated. Yes, I did know why females pluck when they are hormonal. And my girl is actually a B&G macaw. According to my vet, this is common amongst B&G macaws like cockatoos.

In the beginning I did think it was something I was doing but after doing some research I was pretty sure it was due to hormones and my vet confirmed this. I initially thought about changing her routine before my thoughts about this being hormonal and thankfully I did not. I realized quickly that sticking to her normal routine was important and also realized that she has been with me for over 2.5 years. So it's not her routine causing this.

But thank you for the advice. I've been trying to act normal around her. The only thing I've really been doing differently is making sure her foraging toy is filled more regularly, changing her toys, misting her daily and showering her a couple of times a week and giving her the supplements. But I still treat her like the crazy, ornery bird that she is! LOL!

 

[MyBirdsHouse]

Lol oh my goodness Im so sorry, I thought 'Coqui' was your pets name as an abbreviation for Cockatoo. In Australia we often 'pet name' cockatoos cocky haha

It sounds like you are a terrific bird owner. You are doing everything right

 

[Blancaej]

Lol oh my goodness Im so sorry, I thought 'Coqui' was your pets name as an abbreviation for Cockatoo. In Australia we often 'pet name' cockatoos cocky haha

It sounds like you are a terrific bird owner. You are doing everything right

It's ok. Just so you know, the links I provided show you pictures of Coqui, plus she is in my signature. Just an FYI.

I've owned birds for 18 years so I think I may have a little knowledge.