FEATHER DISORDERS

Overgrooming.

Feather chewing and feather plucking are common and complex problems with many possible physical and emotional causes. Some birds never demonstrate in front of their owners; others are unable to stop even when transported or examined.

Medical problems may have started the problem or continue to contribute to it include skin infections (bacteria, fungi, mites) and other diseases as harmone imbalances, allergies and cancer. Most of these causes are rare. Mites and lice are extremely unusual in pet birds. The common mite infections occur on parakeets and canaries and do not cause feather loss.

Poor Nutrition.

Often poor nutrition makes physical and emotional problems worse. Supplements, formulated diets and labor intensive foods (while fruits, millet spray, honey sticks and safflower based diets) are often recommended.

Stress.

Stresses - apart from poor nutrition - may include environmental factors like humidity too low, temperature too cold, inappropriate cage, inappropriate location and uninteresting or uncomfortable perches. A lack of mate or flock and a fear of certain humans or pets may also be present but difficult to detect,

Common psychological stressors include:

• Separation anxiety. Some hand-raised birds identify so closely with their human owners that they view them as mate substitute or family becomes substitute flock. These birds rarely pick in front of their owners, but will often become excited when left alone, hanging onto bars and calling. Picking may then occur as frustration and anxiety deepen. In wild members of flock would not normally be separated from other birds.
• Breeding frustration. Obviously, humans can never take the place of avian mates. Birds have a natural desire to breed and inability to carry out this function may result in stressful situations.
• Occupational disorders. In the wild, parrots work from dawn till dusk, searching for food, processing it, searching for water and interacting with flock members. In captivity, they live leisurely. No matter how hard we try to maintain them, they have no job. The energy they expend simply surviving is unused when food and water are conveniently available from cage bowl. Work that the beak must normally do may end up being used on feathers.

NOTE: During the molting of feathers, additional fat, protein and vitamins are recommended. Bird may also require more sleep.

Physical or Emotional problems.

Sometimes a temporary physical or emotional problem starts feather mutilation behavior that becomes a habit. This habit closely resembles obsessive-compulsive disorders in humans and other animals. Compulsive disorder may involve a brain feedback situations, where it is physically difficult for birds to stop their mutilation behavior. Tired or stressed birds seem to have even more trouble discontinuing this behavior.

Goals in this situation are to identify medical problems (if any) and then minimize stress and habitual factors involved.

Environmental problems

Environmental problems and occupational therapy can often be handled together. Try larger cages and move cages to busier location in house, For the shy bird try elevating cage (all birds seem to prefer this). Sometimes hiding or nesting type boxes can provide additional security and chewing material. Introduction of cardboard box in an upper corner of cage (cut entrance hole). Most birds at least enjoy destroying box, if not sleeping in it.

Go slowly with African Grey; they can be shy about new things and may need gradual introduction to new items. Also, remove your bird from its cage and take down old perches, replacing them with fresh "chewable" branches such as apple, willow, alder, birch, or maple. Disease transmission through fresh branches has never been documented and is almost impossible. Many large breeders take advantage of these natural, disposable perches and highly recommend them. Perches of different diameters should be used to exercise foot muscles.

Pretty Birds recommend new toys (try leather, rawhide, soft wood, plaster blocks, bells, rope pieces, etc.) replace toys if damaged or well used. Hold some toys in reserve to rotate weekly. Feeder puzzles (slot boxes for nuts or PVC tubes with perforations) are commercially available or can be constructed. Check for safety considerations before using these excellent "work to feed" devices.

Make sure bird gets at least ten (10 hours of darkness and quiet each night). Mist birds frequently or take into shower if enjoyed. During hot, dry months, bathing helps to cool birds and moisten skin and feathers. Finch and canaries enjoy bathing. Make sure bathing is done at basic temperatures which are comfortable to humans, out of direct sunlight, away from heating and air conditioner currents and free of drafts. Don't forget to improve or change diet; try offering only new items each morning, replacing regular food at noon until eating habits change.

The majority of popular pet birds are social they feed, drink and roost in flocks. For this reason, customers may consider owning more than one bird and housing of same species together. A breeding situation sometimes improves bird's mental health, although feather mutilation is not always discontinued.

Daily stresses upon birds have exponential effects. The more often birds are subject to stresses, the less resistance they have to diseases. Home stresses can be sunlight, harsh light, hot air currents, cold air currents, drafts, cage placement causing insecurity, loud noises, overcrowding, overhandling, harassment by pet dog or cat, bullying by cage mate, improper diameter of perches, sandpaper perch covers (do not use), cages too small, improper height of cage, etc.

Drug therapy and Elizabethan collars should only be used in conjunction with environmental and behavioral modifications. Your avian veterinarian can give you additional information.

Reprinted by Pretty Birds from P.I.J.A.C. Reference Manual

Use Browser BACK Button

Pretty Birds: Copyright © 1997: Last Modified 07/13/00: Copyright Law and International Treaties protect these Web Site Pages. Warning: Reproduction or Distribution of these images, program, text or any portion of it, may result in severe civil and criminal penalties and will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible under the law.