Plucking vs Preening

[BeatriceC]

Oscar has finally come out of his cone of shame. His skin has healed and he's mostly re-feathered. Unfortunately, because he couldn't preen properly, some of the new down matted up, since I'm not a very good bird and didn't preen him properly either, despite my best efforts.

So of course he's going to be preening, and if my efforts to preen him are any indication, there will be at least some feather loss as he preens the mats out. But the real question is this: how on earth do I tell the difference between expected feather loss from normal preening and actual plucking that would require me to put the blasted cone back on him?

 

[Scott]

Hmmm, good question! I'd guess physical signs of continued feather loss, ie. bleeding or the stump of a plucked feather. Observing his style of preening and fixation on a specific area may be decisive. Of course you can't watch him 24/7, and the little devils know very well when you are watching!

Glad to see Oscar has progressed, hope he doesn't abuse his freedom!

 

[SailBoat]

The first week after removal of the ring of shame is hardest on us, as we stress over any and all preening activities.

Assure that the bathing schedule is maintained and if misting is excepted by your Parrot, up the misting schedule a bit, taking care not to have a wet Parrot 24 /7. Both will keep the need to preen or pluck low as the feathers dry.

Take care not to chase after each feather or fluff that comes off or is near by. As Scott stated, they keep a sharer eye on us, then we do of them!