Sun Conure keeps pulling out feathers

[Fenrir]

Hey guys,

Our Sun Conure Sun Drop keeps pulling her feathers on her chest and underneath her wings. She is not picking down to her skin but just leaving the white under feathers. She started this right after the dog attack a few months back and never quite let all of her feathers grow completely back. Her flight and tail feathers are still intact and she has no problems getting around the house.

I don't know what to do with her. She acts normally and is still playful and eating great. I switch out her toys constantly with new ones so I know she isn't bored because she plays all day.

She gets plenty of time with us everyday.(Including a daily shower) In fact the only time she spends any time inside her cage is at night and when we are out of the house.

I am completely lost on what to do. Heck she isn't even scared of the dogs and sits on my shoulders with the dogs sleeping on my lap.

Any ideas?

 

[Fenrir]

Also my wife just brought a point that she is really scared of strangers right after the robbery at the bird sitter this summer. Not sure if that can cause some physiological issues.

 

[MonicaMc]

It could. Have medical reasons been ruled out as a possible reason to plucking?

 

[Fenrir]

She hasn't been to the vet since the dog attack. No skin issues and is eating a playing as usual.

 

[MonicaMc]

Then it's probably a good idea to take her in. It's possible she got a bacterial infection due to the dog, or perhaps something else is going on, and without that vet visit with fecal and blood work, there's no way to know for sure.

It's also possible that she hasn't felt safe since the incident with the dog and seeing the dogs is stressing her out. Even if she isn't physically afraid of them, the dogs could still be bothering her.

 

[Fenrir]

If it is the dogs what can I do about it? I have three dogs =( I will have to schedule a time for the vet.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

Yes, i would say, go to the vet first and rule out anything physical/bacterial/etc. Then if you feel it is more psychological or fear of the dogs, take that step then. I never personally had a bird who pulled feathers so i don't have any of my own experience, just things i have heard or read.

 

[94lt1]

My scarlet was a BAD plucker when I got him... after being passed around from different owners. He had trust issues, he was mean, just an all around bad bird...so was jester... he was a plucker too..

Jester passed due to not having been cared for properly. RIP big guy

But Monte felt neglected, and unsafe.. probably heart broken.. after a while, he slowed down on his plucking. Took him to vets, tried a bird cone... he just plucks..
he's with me all the time, he's on one shoulder, my sun is on the other.. at the table we all eat bird safe meals together..we go for walks in the backyard together..

when we're not together, they're with my wife..he gets his time whenever he wants it.. but he still plucks.. new toys..same thing..

 

[94lt1]

Sorry I don't mean to finger wag... but if a dog or cats saliva gets into a wound on a bird.. its terrible.. I'm very surprised that your sun is alive.. you're very fortunate.. you should definitely get the poor bird to a vet it could very well have a bacterial infection.

 

[Fenrir]

The dog attack happened months ago. Sorry if that wasn't apparen't from my previous post. (I posted about that incident months ago) She was taken to a vet and she was fine.

 

[94lt1]

The dog attack happened months ago. Sorry if that wasn't apparen't from my previous post. (I posted about that incident months ago) She was taken to a vet and she was fine.

Sorry, I didn't pick up on that...
It could very well be nerves.. my scarlet plucks...don't know why.. then he stops... then he plucks..