wound/skin problem on cockatiel head...?

[caykuu]

Hey there! I'm new to parrot forums. My bird is a female lutino cockatiel named Tinkerface.

I joined to consult about a wound or something like that on Tinker's head... When I took her out this morning, it was just there. It's a half inch patch where about eight feathers didn't come out of the tube (?) and the skin underneath is red. It looks quite creepy.
It apparently hurts, because she won't let me touch that patch.

What's the issue and should I just leave it be?

 

[caykuu]

Laying eggs once a month or two?

(and a completely different problem... )

Tinker's been laying an egg (no chicks, of course) about once every 5 weeks. She becomes very territorial and moody a few days before laying the egg, and then super serene after laying.
I'm pretty sure this is a malnutrition issue, but what is she lacking? She has very little interest in food, and particularly doesn't like to eat things that we offer her... only if she finds it herself.
She has no interest in fruits at all... non-juicy veggies are "okay".

Advice?

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

About the "wound" on the head. When new feather are coming in it is called a pin feather. It is a new feather wrapped in a carotene sheath. It sounds like the feathers have not yet broken through the "sheath". Your Tiel is not able to chew away the carotene since the beak cannot reach the top of the head Sometimes a bird will rub its head against the cage bars, or anything else in the cage in order to free the new feathers. Sometimes they will make the area raw and even bleed. If is was my bird and I was unsure of the cause and I was worried about it, I would make a vet appointment ASAP! As for the second question, I can't help!

On second thought, Sounds like she is lacking calcium. When they are laying eggs the need to be supplemented by added calcium. I'm sure others will elaborate!

 

[Alisana]

If she is laying eggs, ensure she is getting enough calcium back in her diet.

Any chance you could post a picture of her head?

If they were feathers that have yet to come out of the tube/feather shaft, I would've just said that they needed preening. One of my budgies, I have to preen the head and face myself to stop the straw like feathers from just staying there. If you hold onto a shaft, you VERY GENTLY rub it between your fingers and it'll start falling away into dust and the feather should appear. If it doesn't stop immediately - chances are, it's not ready.

In your case though, I'm very concerned about the red patch. It could be anything to a skin infection, allergic reaction, even a blocked sebaceous gland perhaps. Does it look infected? If it is, get her to an avian vet to put her on antibiotics to help fight off the infection.

 

[henpecked]

I'd try a cuttle bone in her cage for added calcium.If the place on her head doesn't improve , i'd carry her to the AV.

 

[Alisana]

About the "wound" on the head. When new feather are coming in it is called a pin feather. It is a new feather wrapped in a carotene sheath. It sounds like the feathers have not yet broken through the "sheath". Your Tiel is not able to chew away the carotene since the beak cannot reach the top of the head Sometimes a bird will rub its head against the cage bars, or anything else in the cage in order to free the new feathers. Sometimes they will make the area raw and even bleed. If is was my bird and I was unsure of the cause and I was worried about it, I would make a vet appointment ASAP! As for the second question, I can't help!

On second thought, Sounds like she is lacking calcium. When they are laying eggs the need to be supplemented by added calcium. I'm sure others will elaborate!

My birds don't use their cage/toys to do that =( Lazy, lol. They much prefer me to rub their face and head for them for a gentle scratch.

 

[caykuu]

Thanks for the info for pin feathers (I wasn't sure of the name). The red patch is there under them though... but she let me rub that patch today, so some of the pin feathers loosened.

She has a cuttlebone in her cage, but NEVER nibbles it (literally... 4 year old cuttlebone). Any recommended food? She hates fruits and likes crispy things that aren't wet.

 

[Alisana]

Thanks for the info for pin feathers (I wasn't sure of the name). The red patch is there under them though... but she let me rub that patch today, so some of the pin feathers loosened.

She has a cuttlebone in her cage, but NEVER nibbles it (literally... 4 year old cuttlebone). Any recommended food? She hates fruits and likes crispy things that aren't wet.

You can get calcium supplements added to water and/or food. Some vets recommend adding supplements/minerals/vitamins, others don't. (If mixing with water, don't use their standard water bowl - have a second one so the bird has two bowls to choose from. Some HATE the smell/taste of supplements in their water, then refuse to drink and can suffer dehydration if they don't have access to clean water)

You can get flavoured calcium blocks. My budgies don't like cuttlebone, but I found a strawberry flavoured block and they like that. Give that a go.

 

[ann]

you can try soaking pellets in all natural no sugar added fruit juice, or make birdie bread. My parrot used to like plain oat mean cooked in water. you can offer plain dehydrated fruit and veggies, or serve them frozen, mashed, boiled, just keep trying. You can also get a foraging toy if she likes looking for her food. The fact that she doesn't seem to have much of an appetite is worrisome, so i would get her checked out by an Avian vet. good luck

 

[caykuu]

Thanks much for the advice guys; I'll try all the options. =)

(Just for the record, she also has an un-nibbled 4 year old calcium block LOL)

 

[Remy]

If you eat eggs, you can give her (sanitized) egg shells to chew on for calcium. Some birds like to crunch on them.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

You can also purchase ground down cuttlebone. It's in a powder like form that you just sprinkle onto their food. I think you would benifit greatly by making an appointment to see the avian vet.