FlashDad
Just Hatched
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 2
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Post by FlashDad on Jan 13, 2005 11:56:17 GMT -7
I have an African Gray parrot. She is about 9 years old and a very active talker. No problems until recently. One day I came down to her room and was shocked at her appearance. She had ripped out some of her feathers. We figured she was not getting enough attention by me. We then let her out more and I spend everyday playing with her. She is still ripping out her feathers!. There are no red feathers left on her tail. She has plucked the feathers on her chest and back of her neck. Even when new feathers start to grow back, she rips them out too. I have toys on her cage. With no one home during the work day, I cannot keep her busy. I'd like to know if this is just a behavior act or something more going on. Help! Thanks  |
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Post by Jane on Jan 13, 2005 12:12:14 GMT -7
There can be various reasons for feather plucking, some physical such as bacterial, viral or fungal. It can be due to toxicities such as zinc. Any of these would need to be tested for by a vet.
Psychological causes are boredom and stress.
Also, possibly, she is reaching sexual maturity and this is leading her to pluck. Greys reach sexual maturity around the age of 5 or 6 but hens can be later.
Jane
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Preston
Super Talker
NEED HELP? WE WILL ANSWER AS FAST AS WE CAN (Note: Preston passed away in 2012. We hold his memories dearly, he was a great person and super moderator.)
Sisika and Pete
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 5,912
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Post by Preston on Jan 13, 2005 15:51:32 GMT -7
We always leave the TV on when we go to work. There are three other birds in the room with him so he thinks he's #1, so we don't have a lonliness problem. I hope you can find the problem. Also, try to think if there has been any changes; even if they seem minor to you, they could be major to a Grey.
Let us know how it goes.
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FlashDad
Just Hatched
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 2
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Post by FlashDad on Jan 14, 2005 7:32:40 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies!
I do have a radio on all the time in her room (except at night). She also has a companion bird in the room (a Senegal parrot). They have been together for 4 years. The Senegal is fine and does not pluck.
I will take her to the vet to eliminate any physical causes. I see no other symptoms of anything wrong. She still sings and talks constantly. She has not changed her eating habits.
The only change is the home is that my wife has been going through chemotherapy for breast cancer and I have had to spend more time taking care of her, our house, and the kids. So I have been taking her out of the cage on her mobile perch and bringing her into the family living area where we all gather and watch tv.
I will let you know what the vet tells me.
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Post by Jane on Jan 14, 2005 7:54:43 GMT -7
Ah, that is interesting. Greys are very attuned to everything going on, and anything that is affecting their "flockmates". I have heard of a grey that started plucking when the owner was pregnant and had morning sickness.
She may well have picked up some signs that there is a problem and that has unsettled her, but let us know what the vet says as any physical causes do need to be eliminated.
Jane
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Preston
Super Talker
NEED HELP? WE WILL ANSWER AS FAST AS WE CAN (Note: Preston passed away in 2012. We hold his memories dearly, he was a great person and super moderator.)
Sisika and Pete
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 5,912
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Post by Preston on Jan 14, 2005 10:49:24 GMT -7
I'll bet that's it!! Funny, one of Pete's flock is a Senegal, Romeo.
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Post by Holly on Jan 14, 2005 20:16:37 GMT -7
I have never been to this web site until today, but I feel compelled to reply to your plucking problem. My grey began feather plucking and I did all the normal things. Went to the vet (to the tune of $750) got more toys, started using a sleep cage to make sure he got enough sleep, and a million other things. The only thing I found that helped my grey is giving him Noni juice. He was completely bald on his chest/legs. Not a feather on him, he looked like a fryer chicken with a parrot head. I started giving him noni juice and he stopped plucking. Within 8 weeks he was fully feathered! If we forget a day of noni, he plucks again! (I am not a noni sales rep--really, I just really believe in the product!!) So anyway, it is worth a try, maybe it will help. Good luck with both your plucking and your wife's cancer.
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Lisagail
Weaned Todd
Abby's #2 Mommy
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 51
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Post by Lisagail on Jan 17, 2005 7:29:25 GMT -7
I have a friend with a plucking grey, so I'm very interested in this post. My friend Kim's Grey plucks in cycles and none of us have any real understanding of why it begins each time. Hannah has a clean bill of health from the vet, so it seems to be something emotional. She is a rescue from a very poor prior living arrangement. We can't figure out what sets her going. We've tried a lot of things. Can Holly or someone tell me what Noni juice is? |
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Post by Jane on Jan 17, 2005 8:29:38 GMT -7
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Lisagail
Weaned Todd
Abby's #2 Mommy
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 51
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Post by Lisagail on Jan 17, 2005 13:12:49 GMT -7
Thanks Jane! Now that I know what it is, I'll let my friend Kim know.
We'd all pretty much try anything to keep sweet Hannah happy. We'd heard about and recommended Aloe (recommended slightly higher up on the page Jane linked to) as a supplement and/or as a spray-bath but it didn't make a difference.
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Lisagail
Weaned Todd
Abby's #2 Mommy
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 51
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Post by Lisagail on Feb 2, 2005 5:48:33 GMT -7
Update: Kim got the Noni juice and Hannah likes it. Now, we'll wait and see if she improves on the plucking issue.
Also wanted to add: Kim lives in a small town, and one store offered her a bottle of Concentrated Noni for $40, another for $13 - same size. Sometimes it pays to shop around.
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Preston
Super Talker
NEED HELP? WE WILL ANSWER AS FAST AS WE CAN (Note: Preston passed away in 2012. We hold his memories dearly, he was a great person and super moderator.)
Sisika and Pete
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 5,912
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Post by Preston on Feb 2, 2005 5:59:18 GMT -7
Thanks for the update, let us know how it works.
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