african grey

[seanq]

Hi I have a grey went to look at anther grey that needs rehoming but he had curly feathers I remember reading something long time ago about a disease that greys get and it cant be cured but can't remember what it was Thanks Sean

[Pajarita]

Hi, Sean and grey, welcome to the forum. Curly feathers can be the result of different things - from something that is completely harmless, like a mutation that ends up as a 'breed' (like Parisian or Dutch Frill, Gibbous and Tenerife canaries - Frizzle and Booted Bantam chickens - Curly English budgies - Frillback pigeons, etc) to something real bad, like PBFD or Marek's which are both incurable and fatal. But it can also be from malnutrition which is easily taken care with a good diet and supplements. You could ask some questions like: Has the bird always had curly feathers? If yes, it could be a mutation. If not, when did this start? If it has been gradual and started after years, it could be malnutrition. Has the bird been with other birds -Marek is airborne and common in chickens. Another reason could be that the bird spends all day long in a very small cage - but this would cause only the end of the primaries to curl and you will also see frayed ends.

Best thing would be to take the bird to a vet and get it tested.