over preening

[Andromeda]

What is this rescue remedy????

My vet recommended it when my Poi was plucking. It's a holistic blend of flower essences known for inducing a state of calmness. You add a few drops (I don't remember how many) to their water or on food or a treat. It can help with animals (including cats and dogs) that are stressed or nervous or fearful and my vet said she's seen improvement in the past with some cases of plucking or over preening (although it didn't work for my birds).

If you do a Google search you can also find some people reporting on forums that it improved or reduced plucking.

If you do try it make sure you get the "Pet" version because it is alcohol-free (versus the version they make for humans).

Keep in mind this will only (possibly) address the issue if it is psychological; if it is health-related it won't help.

There is also a product called AviCalm (something I found on my own and not through my vet) which contains a compound found in green tea leaves that promotes a state of calm. It's marketed to reduce aggression, screaming and plucking in birds. Some people online say it worked with their birds although it didn't work with mine. Again this would only (possibly) work if the over preening was psychological.

[roy]

I live in the uk england in a town called Wolverhampton I wonder if I can get that rescue remedy over here???

[marie83]

I live in the uk england in a town called Wolverhampton I wonder if I can get that rescue remedy over here???

Amazon sell the pet version. Just double check its ok with your vet though, dont want it interacting with any of his meds.

[janetafloat]

I've been using the Bach Flower Remedies (which is what Rescue Remedy is) for 30 years, on adults, children & animals) and tbh honest I wouldn't be concerned about the alcohol content, you use such a small amount. The Bach Flower Remedies are 38 different flower essences which each correlate to a different emotional state, and Rescue Remedy is a composite of 5 of them & is for all & every emergency. It's all very esoteric but they really work and animals are very responsive to them. I put 2 drops of Walnut (for times of transition) and Star of Bethlehem (for shock & loss) in Alfie's water the first week I had him.

You can get ordinary Rescue Remedy from Boots, Roy. Put 4 drops in his water every day for a week, or two & see if there's any change.

[GreenWing]

However it could also just be over preening because when a bird over preens or chews the coloring in the feathers eventually gets rubbed off and the tips turn black

Exactly. I took Tiki to the avian vet a month ago or so because I was told by a store clerk she had "stress bars"... well the avian vet told me that they're NOT stress bars, but that her black tips are as a result of too much petting and the color being rubbed off.

She is also due for her molt, which we're anticipating... I wonder if a parrot will over-preen before the molt period?

[marie83]

I've been using the Bach Flower Remedies (which is what Rescue Remedy is) for 30 years, on adults, children & animals) and tbh honest I wouldn't be concerned about the alcohol content, you use such a small amount. The Bach Flower Remedies are 38 different flower essences which each correlate to a different emotional state, and Rescue Remedy is a composite of 5 of them & is for all & every emergency. It's all very esoteric but they really work and animals are very responsive to them. I put 2 drops of Walnut (for times of transition) and Star of Bethlehem (for shock & loss) in Alfie's water the first week I had him.

You can get ordinary Rescue Remedy from Boots, Roy. Put 4 drops in his water every day for a week, or two & see if there's any change.

Not going to say your wrong to do so although it probably sounds like I am but why take the risk when there is an alcohol free alternative?

[janetafloat]

Haha....you can say I'm wrong Marie, your point is well taken! I'm just reporting from my own long experience

[Andromeda]

While it may not be harmful in small amounts I'd just err on the side of caution and not administer the kind with alcohol. However, if you can't find Rescue Remedy Pet the good news is that I found a vet online giving instructions on how to remove the alcohol from the regular Rescue Remedy:

Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A

Many holistic remedies can be used on birds safely.

The alcohol is added to the formula to increase the shelf life. You can eliminate the alcohol from the formula by gently heating it on a range or stove top until you can smell the alcohol vaporize. As soon as the alcohol vaporizes remove it from the stove and pour into a glass or ceramic bowl to cool. It will take less than one minute. Once the formula cools pour it back into the bottle using a funnel. You will have to store it in the refrigerator after you remove the alcohol. It will last for 6 months refrigerated.

[Fizz N Rubarb]

Hi there,

My GCC over preens as does one of my linnies. Percy (linnie) has done it ever since I got him at 10 weeks as does my GCC, however my other linnie (sprout) does not. The only thing i put it down to is the two that over preen were hand raised, and in Percys case he was the only one of his clutch to survive so no siblings. I do wonder whether having other sibling and parent birds helps to show them how its done properly.

As for chewing feathers that have fallen out, i have heard that the reason for this is to get the keratin from the end part of the feather. It doesn't indicate a low level, it is a natural instinct and apparently is common more with breeding birds, although my GCC conure will do it after hes finished playing with it lol!

hope that's of some help.

[Pajarita]

Preening is not a learned behavior, it's instinctual so any aberrant form of it (over preening, barbering, plucking) is not because of lack of knowledge on how to do it right, it's either a medical or a psychological problem.