Pin feathers :(

[brolie]

So my Gus Gus has a head full of pin feathers, but he won't let me go near them. Especially since we added our Umbrella Cockatoo to the household, he's been more aggressive, but I worry about these pinnies... think he might not be as grumpy if they were cleaned up... any recommendations?

 

[Allee]

Poor Gus Gus, that has to be uncomfortable. Frequent mist baths focused on the pinnies, and time.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

It could also be that the pin feathers are still too sensitive. There have been MANY times I've tried to preen Skittles pin feathers on his head and he'll get nasty as soon as I touch them. Other times he will seek me out to have me preen them.

If your bird is normally accustomed to being preened by you, they will likely let you know when they want to be preened.

That and the mist bath that Allee suggested are good places to start.

 

[Doublete]

My little guy really doesn't want me to touch his pinnies.
Ever. And he seems to always have the darn things!

 

[brolie]

doublete - thank you lol... he doesn't ever want me to mess with them, he only occasionally lets me pat his head and then he backs away...

he was definitely mistreated (or poorly handled) before I go him

he hates mist baths, but that seems to be the best way to go.. thanks a ton!

 

[Doublete]

Mine hates misting... But will get in the shower with me and also belly flops in his water dish when it's fresh water...:54:

 

[brolie]

his previous owners said he hates to take showers, but they also weren't the best owners... so i may have to try that.. i gave him a bath yesterday and wrapped him in a washcloth and then used the opportunity to work out some of the bad pins and he didn't seem to hate it or be in pain or anything and it's looking much better

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Well birds are finicky about water. Some like misting some don't, some like to shower, some don't.

Skittles prefers to "jump" into a casserole dish full of water and splash water all over the place. Usually the both of us are soaked by the time he finishes.

 

[Peppo]

Paco is obsessed with me looking through each row of feathers on his head and cheeks looking for pinnies. I even pretend to be removing them when there are none that are ready! Once they like it, they will constantly ask for it. I find it soothing, just looking for pinnies while we watch tv. I hope yours learns to enjoy it. It is a great way to bond and get through an hour TV show.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Sometimes I will put my hand near Skittles to pet him or scratch his head and he will proactively, automatically lift up his wing expecting 'wingpit' scratches.

 

[KrisandPenelope]

Penelope demands preening when she has pins everywhere, but it is on her terms only and if I accidentally touch one that's still sensitive I will get a grumble and a quick bite to warn me. As shes going through her first big molt she has become quite aggressive at times and that is when I don't allow her on me and we do training. Like Skittys_Daddy said some birds are finicky about water. You have to find what your bird will tolerate or like. The only way I can get Penelope to take a bath is by bringing her in the shower with me and she just sits on my head and showers :| I've also been feeding her coconut oil (virgin unrefined) once a week and that seems to be helping her through her molt.

 

[TacoNTiki]

May I ask how you feed the coconut oil? We have some and I was wondering if I should mix with food or just a little solid piece on spoon?

 

[KrisandPenelope]

At first I was taking a pea sized amount and rolling her favorite nutriberry in it. Then one day I was getting the coconut oil on the spoon and Penelope walked over and just ate it off the spoon. The unrefined coconut oil has a nice coconut smell and taste like it too so I guess she just likes it even without the nutriberry.