meelie
Just Hatched
Joined: July 2005
Posts: 4
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Post by meelie on Jul 28, 2005 15:50:03 GMT -7
hello everybody, I'm new around here and would be grateful for any advise. We have rescued a 4 yr old male, he is a wonderful little fella and keeps us entertained with his talking and coughing  He seems to have settled with us and appears happy except he's plucked all his neck feathers out. I have read through the groups and realise this is probably stress due to changing owners. We are trying not to add to his stress and he hasn't started plucking anywhere else. Is there anything extra I can do ? Thank you. |
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Post by spookyhurst on Jul 28, 2005 20:37:39 GMT -7
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Post by Jane on Jul 29, 2005 0:33:35 GMT -7
Plucking issues have come up on the forum before. There are various possible reasons for plucking and it is usually advised that physical causes are ruled out first. These include bacterial or fungal causes, folliculitis, dermatitis, low blood calcium, giardia (which can cause an itchy skin and lead to plucking), liver or kidney disease. Heavy metal toxicity, particularly zinc, can lead to plucking. Sometimes a localised irritation can lead to plucking.
Psychological causes include boredom and stress.
It is very complex though because some Greys pluck when they are in loving homes getting a lot of care and attention with a lot of stimulation and plenty of toys, while others are neglected and abandoned and never pluck. He sounds happy.
Do you know if he has ever plucked before?
Jane
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Post by tweetiepie on Jul 29, 2005 4:58:25 GMT -7
Mylo had dermititus on his back and while he was plucking on his back due to the dermititus, he also thought 'this is fun' and started on the rest of his body and had bald legs, chest (not all of it though), and neck.
The vet successfully treated him for the dermititus and now thankfully (... touch wood) he stopped plucking altogether and he has new feather growth all over his body.
One thing to note here. The vet told me to rub lotion into his body. When i did this, he plucked more.
When I stopped 'greasing' him up, he didn't pluck. My theory is that the lotion made the skin soft (as it does) and therefore the plucking was made easier.
The second thing which helped is that i was told to spray him with TCP every other day and this helped in (1) helped heal the little nicks he gave himself whilst plucking and (2) and more importantly, the TASTE put him off plucking.
Mylo hates being sprayed but I sprayed him a few times to cover most of his feathers and the skin (obviously not soaked through). Maybe you could try this?
It is stressful to see your bird plucked - especially when they are healthy
Good luck.
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meelie
Just Hatched
Joined: July 2005
Posts: 4
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Post by meelie on Jul 29, 2005 16:28:55 GMT -7
Thank you all for your replies, great stuff. Yes he has plucked before, he plucked himself naked a couple of years ago when his previous owner returned to work. He started to pluck before we got him and he hasn't plucked too much more since we collected him last weekend. He has totally taken to me (which was a total surprise as my partner is usually preferred by kids and animals ;D), he lets me scratch him but bites everyone else who tries. His speech is amazing so I'm thinking he must be happy. Would he be so vocal if he was unhappy with us? I will try the TCP as his neck is a bit red, should i dilute it? Thank you so much for your help.  |
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Post by tweetiepie on Aug 4, 2005 7:46:16 GMT -7
Definately dilute the TCP. Put it in a water sprayer bottle : full of warm water and a few drops (1 or 2) of TCP. Try and keep it away from his eyes (easier said than done!).
Keep us posted!
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He seems to have settled with us and appears happy except he's plucked all his neck feathers out. I have read through the groups and realise this is probably stress due to changing owners. We are trying not to add to his stress and he hasn't started plucking anywhere else. Is there anything extra I can do ? Thank you.
