Pin Feather Help

[lwis]

Hi there. Our Green Cheek Conure has a pin feather on his wing that looks a bit strange to me. It is bent and sticks out from his body a little. I haven't seen any primary feathers growing until now, so I don't know if it is normal or not. It seems to be bothering him a little, and he has a little fit if we accidentally bump it or go near it. If anyone could tell me if this is normal or what I should do about it I would really appreciate it.
I have attached a picture. Sorry, it's a little blurry, as he was not pleased with our photo shoot.



Thanks for the help!

[gabbagabbawill]

Your picture didn't show up on the forum, at least I can't see it from here...

Since the covering of the pin feathers is kinda stiff, and breaks off as the feather comes out, I could see it getting bent and sitting at an odd angle... I wouldn't worry too much, as long as the feather itself is not broken... If it is broken, it may be bleeding and may need to be pulled. Though I would only consider pulling it if it is obviously broken and bleeding.

Sometimes feathers just sit weird on birds and preening will put them back in place. Something else you may want to do is give your bird a bath.... My sun conure loves baths, and any feathers that are out of place or wonky will go back to normal after a good bath/ shower...

[lwis]

Thank you for the response.
I don't know how to get the picture to show up then. when I previewed the post it showed up fine. weird.
The feather is not broken but the casing is nearly an inch long, but perhaps when it comes off, the feather will still sit fine.
He has a bath every 2 or three days, so hopefully is helping.
I plan on just leaving it for a while and hopefully he will break the casing around the feather. I just figured I would ask to see if anyone has seen something similar.

[gabbagabbawill]

I help my sun break up his pin feathers for him, as long as he lets me do it. He likes it when I help with the feathers on the back and sides of his head that he can't get to. If it's a feather yours can get to, he will fix it eventually... if not, maybe you could gently massage it if he's ok with it.

[lwis]

He is definitely not okay with me breaking off that pinfeather. The ones on his head he is fine with, but not the other one. Since it is on the edge of his wing he can reach it, so I will let him deal with it I guess. thanks again for the input.

[Naurthon]

Nikko won't let me help him with his pin feathers. (Both Dante and Maxwell will.) I have a little pinata made of palm fiber that he uses to rub his head against to take care of the casings. It seems to work for him. Poor little guy, I wish he'd let me help!

[Cage Cleaner]

As a rule, only break pin feathers on their heads. If its on the bird's body, let it be as the bird can reach if/when it wants it broken.

[drif]

When my gcc has pin feathers I usually go to gnc/vitamin world and buy a aloe vera juice drink, mix it (1/8) with water (7/8) in a spray bottle and use it on him a few times a day... it seems to help.

[lwis]

Thank you for the responses.
He has been chewing away at it, and a lot of the casing has come off. About a week ago, it was bleeding a small amount at the base, so I kept an eye on it, it clotted soon after and hasn't bled since. I think he may have just broken the skin around it.
It is still not uniform with the other feathers and sort of sticks out to the side a bit, but it no longer seems to be bothering him when we accidentally touch it, at least no more than any of his other pin feathers. I figure, as long as it is not bleeding for a long period of time or a large amount, or as long as it is not clearly broken, I am just going to let him sort it out. I check it several times a day, so if there are any changes that require vet attention, I can get him to one.

One more question, How long does it usually take a bird to complete a moult? His does not seem to be prolonged, and when he gets a pin feather (except for this particular one on his wing) it is gone within a few days. I am just curious.

Thanks again!

[gabbagabbawill]

My Jello started molting back in November and he's still getting new feathers in... this is his first molt and he still has a ways to go.