I am in need of advice in helping birds regrow lost feathers

Mojo · 09-23-2007, 07:10 PM

Help I just purchased a Cockatoo that has plucked all her feathers out of her chest and back. I have put her on a vet recomended diet and am following a strict feather cleaning routine for her. My question is " Is there anything I should rub on her skin to keep it healthy as her feathers grow back" Her feathers are really starting to come in and she seems to be itchy. She is almost never in her cage and we play with her all the time. She seems to respond to all the love and caring by stopping her plucking routine. We love her and dont want her to get sick over winter because of the lack of feathers. The vet said to just let nature take its course but I don't want her to be uncomfortable. Please let me know of any Ideas you have.

CarolsCritterCare · 10-08-2007, 10:05 AM

Did you figure out why she's feather plucking?? It's either internal stress, or external stress.

Internal could be diet or health, external = something in her environment......

I have found Missing Link to help greatly with feather pluckers. Ask your vet before adding it to the diet though.

Amazon.com: Missing Link Avian Formula (3.5 oz): Kitchen & Dining

I had a cockatoo here who was allergic to the dye in the pellets. Bad feather plucker. It took months to figure out what the issue was. It happened on accident. The fruit blend zupreem was not available, but they had the undyed zupreem....just plain in color is all.
Well almost right away I noticed a change in habits, screaming, eating, and feather plucking. Feathers grew back great. I had to change the diet. All the feathers grew back eventually

precious1976mls · 12-25-2007, 09:25 AM

Have you tried the stuff they sell for mites and lice?

dgridley · 12-25-2007, 09:33 AM

You say she stops plucking when you give her attention? Birds are smart.. it could just be she's found a way to get attention!

I don't know that I'd put anything on her skin unless the vet agrees tho.. her plucking could be stress, nest building, preening, moulting.. any number of things.

I'd follow the vet's directions.

CarolsCritterCare · 12-26-2007, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by precious1976mls

Have you tried the stuff they sell for mites and lice?

Use vasaline. Works the same. Kills the mite/lice. Is not at toxic as the chemical you would be applying.....The vasaline suffocates the mite/lice and they come to the surface and fall off.

Mojo · 12-08-2008, 06:24 PM

Heres an update on my Too who plucks. The vet said it was not physical but phycological (spelling not sure about). Muloccans are predisposed to intense feather plucking and self mutilation. I have tried lots of things from sprays to feed and nothing helps. I have decided that even if he is naked I will love him anyway

dgridley · 12-08-2008, 07:33 PM

Thanks for the update.. and glad you've been able to solve your mystery.

Here's a link to a Google search that may also provide more background:

moluccan cockatoo plucking feathers - Google Search

(Welcome back, by the way!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo

Heres an update on my Too who plucks. The vet said it was not physical but phycological (spelling not sure about). Muloccans are predisposed to intense feather plucking and self mutilation. I have tried lots of things from sprays to feed and nothing helps. I have decided that even if he is naked I will love him anyway

CarolsCritterCare · 12-09-2008, 06:38 AM

Nice to hear from you again. Great that you went to the vet. There are still many other things you can offer...Like toys he can destroy. Destroy the toy instead of the feathers.

I had a Lesser Sulfer Cockatoo with feather plucking issues and though it took time, slowly it did allow some feather to grow back. Never all... but some.

I did it with a combination of change in diet, added missing link, offered a variety of toys that had to be changed daily or he was board with it and phone books. He loved to destroy phone books!!