feather plucking

[roy]

Hi there
ive had my cag for 7 months now but know how old reggie is but since ive had her always had a problem with feather pluckin. I have brought some stuff called pluck no more you spray it on her and put it in the water for her to drink which it aint helped at all. Its not boredom its just one spot on her neck she has always pulled the little white fluffly feathers that look like down feathers the ones that keep her warm in the winter. Reggie is friendly i can hold her scratch the back of her neck her even kisses me on the lips does everything that parrots normaly do can anyone help me please, as ive ran out of ideas please help me someone

[marie83]

Have you been to an avian vet who has done a full range of tests? They reckon 70% of plucking cases has a medical or nutritional reason behind it so I believe testing is really important. I'm in the process of medical tests for my two at the moment but I have good reasons to rule out psychological reasons for the time being at least.

However that does not stop you being able to make changes to your birds lifestyle that might help alongside the vet tests.
Why dont you tell us about your birds routine in detail, then tell us what you have already tried and how long for and we might be able to help a bit more.
Could do with knowing more about how much sleep he gets and where he sleeps, his exact diet- what he actually eats not just what you offer (I offer fruit and veg to Harlie for eample but she never ever touches them). If he is on pellets what type. How big is his cage and how often is he out of it? How many toys and what type? Perches? A photo of his set up could be helpful so the forum users are able to help you more. Do you do any training with him? Does anyone smoke or spray stuff near him (including in other rooms as fumes travel). Are there other pets nearby that might be stressing him out? Loud children?
Loads of other stuff to consider too so try to include as much detail as possible. Just remember that if he has been plucking a long time it may be a tough habit to break if at all, even if there are no 'reasons' for it. I do believe you will be able to at least improve his plucking though.

[Andromeda]

Marie83 has great advice. Your first step should be an avian vet to rule out health problems.

I had a bird that was plucking for psychological reasons (the vet ruled everything else out and nothing in his environment had changed when he suddenly started plucking at night). I tried everything and as a last resort I tried clicker training. There was an immediate reduction in the severity of the plucking and I am OVERJOYED to say that now, 3 months later, he has let every single feather grow back!

[karl morton]

Andromeda, how exactly did you clicker train your bird to atleast halter his/ her plucking. I've tried everything as you did don't think she is plucking as much now thinking of trying a also Vera spray. Lol just want my baby to let her full coat of feathers come back, at the moment she is letting the wings fill back in just haven't seen any pin feathers on her chest yet....karl