What does feather plucking look like?

[Gingerchezy]

So, as ever, i'm feeling over-protective of little Chewie and on changing her newspaper today I noticed a couple of normal 'adult' feathers that she'd lost. She's dropping loads of fluffy baby feathers, I was thinking this was probably normal as she's only 3 and a half months old and she doesn't look bald or patchy. Could she be pulling out these feathers because she's bored? I don't really know what to look for and i'd hate to think of her being sad and pulling her lovely feathers out!

God knows what i'll be like when she has her first molt. I'll probably have a heart attack! Lol

Thanks for any advice anyone can give

 

[AFP520]

You can tell when a bird is plucking. There will be patches of feathers missing everywhere. Just sounds like your bird is preening and a couple of feathers came out.

 

[Gingerchezy]

Ah no she's not patchy at all. Just me being a worried mum again lol, probably because I had to work late today and felt bad for leaving her all alone!

 

[BoomBoom]

Your bird may also be molting though I doubt it, it's rather early. If you dknt see huge piles of feather at once or see bald patches, you dont have to worry. You can always put more preening/shredding toys in the cage for your peace of mind

 

[lexx510]

She's most likely going through a molt.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

it's sounds like your bird is just molting, here's a photo showing Rosie's bald spots, underside of her wings, and her legs are both plucked. Also under her wings on her back and sides(hidden by her wings) is also plucked. Her bald spots are getting a tiny bit better, especially on her back and she no longer has those nasty qt open bands.

A naturally molted feather will look pretty normal while most plucked feathers have chewed bases. I finally got Rosie to stop plucking, but when she did she only pulled out blood feathers, I would find a random half grown bloody feather here and there.

 

[BoomBoom]

A naturally molted feather will look pretty normal while most plucked feathers have chewed bases. I finally got Rosie to stop plucking, but when she did she only pulled out blood feathers, I would find a random half grown bloody feather here and there.

Very informative post for everyone. Thank you!

 

[Lintini]

Here is another type of plucking that my grey does that she started way before I adopted her, it seems like she leaves down feathers on her chest. She is leaving the ones that are coming back in alone now and they are coming back in on her shoulders and feeties. VERY exciting!!! It sounds like your little one is just molting though