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| | | From: layne (Original Message) | Sent: 5/16/2005 2:03 PM |
Hi Everybody, I have a real problem that has developed in the last 3 days & need some advice. I've had her since Aug. of 2001 to start with. I was out working in the yard last Thurs. and came in & went to take a break & talk to my birds, & discovered feathers all over the floor & everywhere around Nicky's cage! She was plucking all of her feathers out. Here it is Monday morning & she has none on her chest, & has started plucking them out on her back as well! What on earth could have caused this just all of a sudden?? She's never done this before! Can't imagine anything causing her any stress just so quick as nothing has changed in the household except I did put an air purifier in the family room. Just had them all at the Vet a month ago for check-ups & nail trimming & he said they were all fine. No diet change, so I really very puzzled as to what could have caused this so suddenly! She stays in her hut most of the time & it looks to me like she's either trying to make a bed or make extra padding! She used to make alot of racket all day & get so loud at night that we'd have to cover her cage to hear the TV, she hasn't even done that the last 2 nights. Does anyone have any ideas as to what could have brought this on? Sure hope someone can help! Could she be wanting to mate all of a sudden?? |
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A trip to the vet is in order. Most vets don't do a complete workup if you're just in there for grooming. A personality change along with feather plucking sounds like something is wrong. If everything checks out physically then you will know she's alright and be able to look elsewhere. Good Luck. Hope you find the problem. Peggy |
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Just my opinion: While you're waiting to get into the vet's for a check-up, I would urge you to remove the air purifier from the room. |
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| | | From: layne | Sent: 5/17/2005 1:12 PM |
Well, I read a bunch of articles on the Google search site, have made an appt. at the Vet to see what he thinks and just now removed the air purifier from the room. Willing to try about anything.....she's my baby. Looked in her hut this morning & it's full of her feathers. Looks like she's trying to make a bed to me. Since she turned 5 in Jan., could this be the problem? Will let you all know what the Vet says tomorrow. Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate any help/advice I can get. |
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Ok, just my opinion. I think she's thinking that hut is a wonderful nice dark nestbox and she's planning to put a few eggs in there. You may not be able to stop the egg production but you could remove that hut so she won't try to use her own feathers as nesting material and sit in her dark nesting cavity. And no, she doesn't need a mate. A female bird of the right age and conditions will lay eggs whether she has a mate or not. It's programed into their bodies from the day they hatch. My 18+ year old pionus lays them every year and she sure isn't gonna get a mate. She is just fine as a single. Maybe if the hut goes, Nicky will quit trying to line it. I surely hope so. Annie |
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If you think she might be bedding, put something
in there for her to use.. I can not see her using her feathers, but perhaps
there is nothing else available. Give her newspaper, they like animal hair, if
you give her horse mane and or tail, cut it in pieces no more than 3 or 4 inches
long so she does not tangle in it or wrap it around her feet. Birds love horse
mane and tail hairs for nest. give her longer grass reeds to weave, something to
keep her busy fescue is good for playing with even if they are not nesting and
it is everywhere now. get some fake fur and cut it in little squares so she can
use the pieces. You can get a 1/2 yard of artificial sheep wool at wal-mart, and
get her few cut up squares. That is the same stuff you can use
to make a birdie snuggle thing.
I would tend to agree with the rest of the group
though, that air filter sounds more like the culprit. Should have started
putting it in the room showing it to her, then run if for an hour and take it
away introducing it very very slowly etc.. But hind site is always better than
foresight.. Good luck..
Harley has slowed her chest rubbing, and now only
does it if I set in the chair at night without anything in my lap,
(Lap Top, whatever) and do not go get her, she thinks evening comes
and she should be setting on my chest. she has not pooped on me in quite a
while. but plants her head against my neck, and grows roots. Does not want to
step back up off me. Someone is getting spoiled.
Someone told me that Greys tend to loose that
cuddle need as they get older. She knows the Andy Griffith whistle, so either
someone liked TV Land, or she is not out growing the cuddle. Or just needs it
again because of the stress of a new home. etc. She has never rubbed bald, just
the pretty feathers. She still has the down feathers. wears a white fluffy bib.
But she has a few new ones on there. I am not getting too excited about the new
outer feathers, cause she has had a few before and they eventually disappeared.
I am just hopeful. as it looks better for now.
Crow. |
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| | | From: layne | Sent: 5/24/2005 1:41 PM |
Hey Everybody, took Nicky to the Vet.....needless to say he was totally shocked as she's never done this before, and always such a beautiful bird! He can't seem to find anything physically wrong with her, but did do some testing & we're still waiting for the test to come back. Told me to load her up on vitamins (which she won't drink the water if I put in there), so I've resorted to feeding her the baby formula which is loaded with vitamins. Got the air purifier out of the room, & forgot to mention to him that at about the same time I started giving her some nutriberries. Surely that wouldn't have anything to do with it would it? She has new feathers now growing in on her chest & tummy already & has cleaned out her hut. Hopefully it was really the mating thing, at least that's what I'm hoping. But will know more when the tests come back (hopefully today). Will let you know more when I find out about the test results. And once again, thank you all so very much for your help, it's really great to know there is a place to come to for added advice & support on my babies as the rest of my family seems to think I'm half nuts for being so concerned about a bird! My husband understands as he loves them too, but the kids just don't seem to get it! Ha  |
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