What are the best foods to help with refeathering

[Cedardave]

We just ended up with a gold capped and jenday conure.Both have had been jumped from home to home.We are their last stop.Sadly they are feather pluckers.One has been for some time now.Are there any foods anyone here has used that may help stimulate some regrowth.I am fairly well versed in good nutrition and they are on a very good diet.They recieve lots of natural light now,are misted regularly.I have had success with aviatec products but was also looking for your thoughts.They have been vet checked and are otherwise healthy.

[Pajarita]

If the follicles are not damaged, the feathers will come back on their own without any extra help. But they would have to stop pulling them out for this to happen, of course. As to help with their 'mood' (the most likely reason for their FDB), I always put them on extra oats because of their high levels of tryptophan which is a precursor of serotonin, the happy hormone, which, in turn, it's a precursor of melatonin which is necessary for sleep and the 'setting' of the circadian cycle (without which you have a messed up endocrine system, a depressed immune system and the consequent feeling of depression). And, don't forget a good quality full spectrum and UV light source (necessary for 'good mood').

Thanks for taking these poor birds in, Cedardave!

[JaydeParrot]

I think protein is good for feather re-growth, the white of a boiled egg should contain alot of protein.

[Cedardave]

These two were in seperate cages in a breeders barn so likely not alot of light.We got them home and put them together in the same cage which seems to have done them alot of good.They sit right next to a west window....older window so it lets a good amount of uv in.I have put them on the harrissons pelletted diet as well as fruit and vegetables.These two eat like they have never eatten in their life.Surprisingly since they had never met, they preen on another(no feather loss)and cuddle together at night.The warm is 77degrees so they arent cuddling because they are cold.All in all I think they are happy and will add your suggestions to the feeding routine.It would be great to see them refeather.

[Pajarita]

Yes, fully feathered is always best but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and neither them nor their mates seem to care about bald patches. As long as they are healthy and happy (and it does sound as if they really are!), that's all that matters.