Plucked Noble Macaw

[KYBirdman]

I am just curious if there’s anything that I can do to help feathers regrow. I adopted a Noble Macaw from a rescue that was moving out of state over the weekend and he is pretty plucked and they said he has been for a while. Also I had a question about the temperature in my house. Is 68-72 degree to cold for him or does it need to be warmer?

 

[Inger]

I don’t know much about plucking, but taking him to a certified avian vet would be in order. They’ll help determine if there’s a physiological reason and also may be able to determine whether his follicles might be able to regrow feathers.

Mostly what I wanted to say is THANK YOU for taking this baby who would have otherwise had a hard time finding a home. [emoji3590][emoji3590][emoji3590]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Laurasea]

Congratulations! You can get a sweeter heater from Amazon, it's a radiant heat panel, not a light , it's bird safe. I have used one for years. Outs out a lot of heat, so hang it outside the cage low in one corner, on the inside of the cage put a perch by it. Also don't cover the the cage when you use, or only partially cover ir he could over heat, the smallest size they make is good, I wish they had an even smaller one.

On feathers, probably won't grow all back, will keep plucking. But I think with you he might let all the wing feathers grow back. I took care of a rescue in worse shape, he did let wings and tail and back grow, out kept plucking chest. My mild plucker does her neck, I've had her s year and a half. Once she let everything grow back, but then recently plucked it again.....

I'll give you theink on stress in parrots has lots of good stuff in it.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

 

[SailBoat]

Thank you for bring this Macaw into your home. Your new member needs tons of Love and Care and with that I can assure that it will be returned, plus!!!

First, IMHO, you need to locate an Avian Professional to support the health of your Macaw now and into the future.

There is no question that your Macaw will not be as able to tolerate the temperature variations as a fully feathers Macaw as that area of the body, which is very important to keeping a Parrot warm year around is bare...

Drafts are of the first concern as even light cool drafts can have more serious effects on your Parrot. So, the location of your Macaw is very important. Clearly, you will want to be away from doors, windows and vents. And at night, a cage cover and support heating like a portable electric oil filled radiator.

Temperature is a more difficult to lock down and I would recommend that you involve your Avian Professional. I would recommend that you maintain a 'stead state' (same temperature around the clock) temperature in the mid-seventy for the area you keep your Macaw. This based on your Macaw not being able to add of reduce feathers as needed.

With time, you may find that your Macaw may allow you to provide a body cover to wear. But, this commonly requires that your have a very strong trust body between you and your Macaw to trust you to place such on your Parrot.

 

[KYBirdman]

I will look for a CAV, there is a vet that is about 40 minutes away from me that has seen birds and can do blood work on them but he isn’t a CAV. The closest one to me in about 2 hours away. The Rescue that I got him from normally does blood work on the birds but an unfortunate event happened and they have to move out of state. They waived the adoption fee since they didn’t have any blood work done on him.

 

[KYBirdman]

Is there any food source that’s going to have the best nutrient profile to give his feathers the best chance of coming back while I try to get him in to the closest CAV? I was told he will eat anything and right now he is eating a mix of Volkmans Featherglow and Higgins VitaSeed.

 

[SailBoat]

Sneak into the Amazon Forum and open the blue Highlighted Sticky Thread near the top that is Titled: I Love Amazons - ..., Within that Huge Thread filled with very informative 'segments' is one that Speaks to the diet for an Amazon. You will note that for the vast majority of that Thread you can insert the Word Parrot for Amazon.

The diet differences between an Amazon and Macaw are very small with Macaws being more comfortable with more protein than Amazons. Take care not to overload on protein, but know that you can increase that food item.

We had for a long period of time worked with a near by Vet that worked with Avians and also a CAV that was also a drive away. With get luck they agreed to share medical documents with each other.

 

[Laurasea]

Feathers take protein to grow. I use scrambled or boiled eggs, boiled chicken, walnuts, other quality nuts. During molts this year I offered as much as they wanted , after Milt their desire for protein dropped way down. In my Ornithology thread I linked done science and research studies on molts, and the higher protein need during that time for growing feathers.

Macaw are designed to eat nuts, abd I thi k they require them more than other species. You could look I to what nuts are native to South America, and try to add a few of those. I think walnuts , pistachio, pine nuts are good, ( im not into almond )

Hot red chilli peppers are loved by many a parrot and have good amounts of vitamin A.

Taking your bird outside, shade is fine as still gets enough to help with vitamin D levels. And he needs to be protected from direct sun with his skin exposed. It is so good for mental health to be outside.

 

[KYBirdman]

Is this the type of heater your talking about?
I also have some sweaters that the rescue gave me for him but I was thinking it would probably be better to wait a few weeks and let him get used to me before I try to put them on him.

 

[Laurasea]

This is the heater
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CYTU95K/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[DaveTX]

I have a 15 year old macaw and she started plucking when her previous owner became sick. She plucks her chest. Vet said once they start it is difficult to stop. I would love to see them grow in but probably won’t happen. her wings are tail are not plucked.

 

[Scott]

Plucking is one of the most complex and difficult of behaviors. This thread includes a comprehensive discussion: http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/52217-plucking-search-answers.html

 

[steven2008]

hi sail boat i have tryed to send a e.mail to you but i can if you get time can you send me one so i can repley please

thank you

 

[mgarvie]

First off, time to sacrifice an old sock and make the poor fellow a sweater.

Maybe someone more informed can answer me a question. Is that really self plucking? The skin just really looks too clean. I have an Amazon that over preens and something is always left behind. I would expect to see some white down fluff even if really short. All I see is smooth skin. Can someone explain?

 

[KYBirdman]

So what I was told is that he has plucked for years and at this point I kinda agree with the others that his feather follicles are probably too damaged to form feathers so could explain the shinyness of the bald areas.

 

[DaveTX]

I have a rescued 15 Y/OB&G Macaw and she has plucked all her belly feathers and the vet said once it starts it is difficult to stop. Told me to add 8 hours of full spectrum lighting and feed nutritious diet. She is otherwise a happy bird!

 

[DaveTX]

My 15 y/o B&G Macaw had plucked her body feathers (happened when owner was passing away). Vet told me that it is highly unlikely the feathers will grow back and once the plucking starts it is hard to stop. She is on a higher protein diet and he gave me a supplement to mix in with her cooked food. I would love to see the grow in. Luckily i am in Houston so weather isn’t a huge concern

 

[KYBirdman]

I have got some news, its taken a lot to write this post but about three weeks ago. I woke up for work one afternoon and found Toby dead on the bottom of his cage. His vet appointment was scheduled for a week and a half from that day. I have spoken to the rescue and from what I told her and from what she thought, we are thinking he was older then the 15 years that was told to her when he was brought into the rescue. The vet didn't have the resources to complete an autopsy in a timely manner so we will never know the cause but it sucks.