scratching, picking,plucking

[Mango16]

I just adopted a goffin cockatoo, he is constintly picking and preening, he is very gentle, loves to be on my shoulder and will not stop picking, where ever we are there is feathers everywhere. I have started him on the avicalm but what else could i do. I'm afraid he is going to make him self bleed or be completly bald, he has no feathers on the lower chest and back and one leg. He doesn't do it as much when he is in the cage, but when he is out and he always wants attention he does it. I've tryed to play with him while he is out and on my shoulder or leg or where ever i'm sitting and he won't even stop picking long enough to play. Please help. He does have vet papers where the vet said he was in good health it was just a habit or has not been getting the right food and vitamins, i have him on pellets and the avicalm.. Could i get some input on this or yours recommendations to help stop this. Thanks so much... :

 

[Scott]

I have 5 Goffins, and each has a distinctly different personality. One seems similar to yours; Abby is very high-strung and often overgrooms. Sometimes he is more active on my shoulder while cuddling, and he doesn't like it when I distract him.

Your Goffin is still new, so watch carefully. There is a difference between outright plucking and "barbering", or overgrooming.
__________________

 

[Mango16]

i don't believe he is just out right plucking. he has some new feathers coming in and he just keeps preening them. He is Always picking at them tho. I'm hoping the avicalm will help. it's like when you cut your hair and its growing it itches.

 

[LordTriggs]

just want to make sure you've taken them to a CAV? It's normally good to get a baseline.

It does sound like she's very high strung and it could be an anxiety thing. She has just gone through a big change and needs to learn you aren't going to suddenly eat her. I'm less versed with plucking behavior but just attempting to keep things calm should help

 

[plumsmum2005]

My friend got hold of a plug in pet calmer which had a unusual aroma, not unpleasant though, it seemed to help with her 'too. would this be any good?

 

[Mango16]

LordTriggs -yes that's what it's like, he has been tossed around the owner had passed so he went to a rescue then was adopted and he only kept him a 5 months and then he was sold to a lady and she only had him 2 month. very very upsetting.. he is the cutest thing ever and loves to talk and cuddle.. he is so gentle i just don't understand

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Jonesy was like that also..I'd be playing cards at the kitchen table,with him on my shoulder,and after a couple hours the floor looked like a blizzard hit white fluff everywhere.




Jim

 

[Mango16]

did you ever find the cause, did he ever stop? trying to find ideals to help my feathered boy.

 

[plumsmum2005]

So you feed any fresh veggies/chop for him? This type of behaviour can also be diet related, please have a look through here http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/

 

[carolflan]

Maybe he needs showered right down to the skin a few times to take the itch away .

Sent from my SM-T560 using Tapatalk