Plucking

[SunConureboy]

Hello All
When we bought cheeko (our Sun Conure) from a petstore ,he had been plucking his chest feathers .Any advice on how to teach him not to pluck his feathers?
Thanks

 

[solobaby]

how long have you had cheeko , you can not teach a bird not to pluck. plucking is realated to stress diet and boredom

 

[SunConureboy]

We have had cheeko for 2 days

 

[solobaby]

you have only had him a very short while and the move could have stressed him out , was he plucking at the pet shop or only since he has been home

 

[SunConureboy]

At the pet shop I think , I have seen a few feathers around his cage

 

[SunConureboy]

When we bought him he was already missing chest feathers

 

[solobaby]

have you seen him plucking ?maybe he is molting ? it would be helpful if you could post pics

 

[SunConureboy]

I'll be able to post a photo just now when I get home , I think he is about 6 months old because his yellow wing feathers are only starting to come out , if that helps thanks

 

[SunConureboy]

Here are some photos

 

[artemis]

Sometimes it helps if you provide a toy the bird can pluck or preen instead of its own feathers. Look for toys which incorporate feathers, soft fabrics, and long fibers. But watch your bird carefully when you first introduce these toys, because it's possible for a bird to get tangled up in them.

(My own sun conure loves her Feathered Friends peacock feather toy, which she obsessively preens. Unfortunately, that toy no longer seems to be made, so when she wears this one out I think I'm going to have to get creative with whatever feathers I can find at the craft store to fashion a homemade substitute.)

 

[SunConureboy]

Thank you Artemis , I will look for one

 

[Safira]

Don't forget to take him to a vet if you haven't already. All new birds should be checked out, vetted and given a clean bill of health.

If he is plucking, don't react to it. It's important to pretend nothing is wrong. I have a bird that has been plucking for 10 years, and she's nearly naked from neck down.

 

[SunConureboy]

Thanks Safira , We actually forgot to take him , but will organize it immediately.And I hope your bird will stop plucking