Ragged Feathers

[jaimmorr]

What would cause a parrot to have ragged looking feathers? Not just tail feathers, but all over?

Like this:

Google Image Result for http://www.holisticbirds.com/images3/mackie4L.jpg


Only less severe? The feathers look ragged, but not plucked. No bald patches.

 

[PortaPerch]

Cage abrasion.

 

[jaimmorr]

As in, the cage is too small so the bird is rubbing up against the sides too often when playing?

 

[PortaPerch]

Yes, and maybe too much rambunctious bird for a cage. Greybeard puts himself to bed in the open nightcage, and gets out by himself in the morning. We were dutifully locking Chewbaca in another cage, so we could cover her. Then one day not too long ago I noticed her tail feathers were a ragged mess, so now we leave her loose with Greybeard in the spare bathroom. She has gradually migrated to the open cage with Greybeard, where they now sleep wing to wing, and I cover them after they settle down.

Her tail feathers are slowly coming back...

 

[greycloud]

The cockatoo in the pic has been chewing and barbering his feathers. Cage abrasion would not be that extreme in my experience.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

The cockatoo in the pic has been chewing and barbering his feathers. Cage abrasion would not be that extreme in my experience.

Agree! This bird has been "barbering" it's feathers.

 

[mtdoramike]

It's called overpreening and once your bird has started doing it, it's almost impossible to get them to stop. They have several aloe based sprays on the market to help combat the problem. But the couple that I have tried isn't worth the money they charge for them.

 

[henpecked]

What age is the bird in question ? I have several "teenage" zons who are pretty rough and tumble. They roll around and tussle with each other and their toys. Tail feathers seem to take the worst of it but still they look kind of rough. Nothing like stately mature birds.

 

[jaimmorr]

The bird is an 8 year old Goffin's Cockatoo.

 

[greycloud]

Sometimes all it takes is a change in surroundings and a great diet and there is improvement. A vet check is recommended.

 

[henpecked]

I second the vet check with a new bird.

 

[sssaucey]

The picture is supposed to be goffin? It looks like a U2

 

[jaimmorr]

The picture is supposed to be goffin? It looks like a U2

No, no, not the picture. The picture is just one I got off the internet to try to give an example of what I was talking about. The one in the picture IS a U2.

And yes, if and when I do get the bird, (see other thread) I will definitely be taking him for a vet appointment.

 

[sssaucey]

Ohhh ok, I was thinking maybe the owner was lying to get rid of a problem too

 

[Oedipussrex]

I also think that looks like over-preening.

and a reevaluation of the diet could help new feathers come in healthier.

With the aloe sprays, they are good if the cause for the over preening is dry or irritated skin. but itherwise dont have that much effect - you may as well be spraying them with water. --- Though i have found that the only time pickle preens properly is after i give him a shower. so spraying might help.

keep an eye on it that it doesnt get worse. I have known it to develop quickly into picking once they feel like the feathers are so destroyed they have to come out.