Salty is in trouble with plucking

[wrench13]

I've been reluctant to post this. Oddly, when your parrot starts to pluck, it makes the owner feel so inadequate, so much of a failure, I was quite overtaken with it and embarrassed!

About 2 months ago. we noticed a disturbance in his feathers on his upper breast. IT slowly progressed to the point where we knew there were feathers missing, and has now progressed to the point where there is bare skin showing. He has gone to his Avian vet 6 weeks ago and received a treatment for feather mites, even though the vet did not see any signs of them. Did not work and the condition continued. Then, 4 weeks ago, after discussion, the vet gave him the first of 2 Lupron shots, in the theory that his unusually strong mating season behavior this year was causing him to pluck. He got the second shot 1 week ago. It has not stopped the behavior so far and the bare spot continues to grow.

the vet did a full blood panel etc etc on the initial visit, everything is normal except his weight which is high and I've adjusted his diet to get him to trim down a bit.

What is really weird is - there are no feathers to be found, anywhere - not on the floor , not in his cage, nothing. Is It possible he is eating the feathers, totally, after he plucks them? Also weird is we never ever see him doing the plucking, only time possible could be when he is covered up for the night, which is 10PM to 10 AM.

Any ideas, anyone? Its so unusual for Amazons to pluck, but he is not the first Yellow Shoulder I have seen doing it. There is another one locally, and she is badly plucked. I've started to mist him every 2-3 days with water, but previously for the last 9 years its been more like 2-3 months, since his species is from an arid, dry environment.

Any thoughts, advice or comments? Trust me, for those of you whose parrots don't do this, if your parrot starts plucking , it is totally demoralizing!!

 

[LaManuka]

Master Wrench I'm so sorry you and Salty are going through this. I've never had a plucker, I did once have a quaker who exhibited some behaviour that I thought was plucking but thankfully it turned out to be something else altogether, but yes, it did make me feel like I'd failed him somehow. Most perplexing that you're not finding the plucked feathers anywhere though. But Salty could not be in better hands, if there is a solution to be found for this I know you will find it!

 

[rheashard2]

I sympathize with you. My first CAG started plucking and eating his feathers after a wing feather trim. Avian vet stated plucking is rare in wild parrots. Eating them is known across many species of wild birds. He recommended bitter apple spray. He said it didn't seem to stop plucking. It did seem to discourage eating. I gave it a try with limited visible effect. I did try a remedy a friend who had a severe plucker used. He used birdie poop suits. He sewed narrow short strips of fabric to breast. His macaw would work on the fabric strips. I used the poop suits but without strips (laziness). This was a long time ago. I don't even know if bitter apple spray is still used. My CAG stopped plucking. His macaw decreased plucking regrew most of his feathers. I am very paranoid about feather plucking.

 

[kme3388]

I’m very sorry that Salty, and his loved ones have to go through this. I hope he gets better. Feather plucking is not well understood from what I’ve gathered. I tried everything under the sun to help my feather pluckers. My mind expands endlessly on what causes this phenomenon in parrots because I want to help. Unfortunately I am not intelligent enough to figure this out. I wish I could. Salty is still beautiful, and he’s such a smart Amazon. I’ve always enjoyed watching the tricks you’ve trained him on.

 

[JjEjFjF]

Is It possible he is eating the feathers, totally, after he plucks them?

I was told by a guy who makes and sells probiotics. Supposedly he has worked with Lafebers in past years.
Anyhow, he claims if a bird is lacking protein they will eat their own feathers. (feathers are made up of protein)He did mention chest feathers specifically.
If you don’t already, i suggest feeding him some scrambled eggs a couple days a week. Or egg food.

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

TROUBLE is right. If that sassafrasing bird does not stop it right now.

oh no!!! feeling for you and Salty.
You are the best paront ever, not one thing that you did caused this.

In the end, end, end they are just not supposed to live with us.

Sensitive creatures, that can be set off by any disturbance.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Salty is one of the last parrots I would have predicted to pluck. It just goes to show you that even with the best possible care our parrots may pluck. I hope it's a short episode and he stops and regrow. There's a quaker on YouTube named Auggie (the talking, dancing "Makin Bacon Pancakes" bird) who is very well taken care of by the woman who rescued her and despite the great care, Auggie plucks, regrows and plucks again. The owner recently discussed the issue of people automatically thinking a parrot who plucks is neglected and depressed which isn't true. Some neglected depressed parrots pluck and some don't. Some happy healthy parrots pluck and some don't.
Don't be embarrassed. I am glad that budgies very rarely pluck. It would be hard to deal with.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

The Goffins Cockatoo, Casper, I had for five years from 3 months old and rehomed to a friend whos a serious parrot person started plucking soon after I rehomed her. She has tried prescription Haloperidol from her avian vet and I'm not sure how well it worked. Casper wears a "vest" that my friend made for her to protect her skin and feathers and give her something else to chew on. Casper is now 32 years old and seems to be doing well but I know the plucking has been an on and off problem for many years.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

!!! Poor Salty! I'm sure you'll find a solution! If not, know he is loved and well cared for!