Feather plucking

[Jojo]

Feather Plucking / Self Mutilation
Lisa Keelty
Environmental and Wildlife Technician
AFA Certified Aviculturist

Feather plucking is a common problem mostly associated with Cockatoos and African Grey's (although all Psitaciforms are potential candidates). There are several causes of this condition;

Hormonal: Occasionally sexually mature individuals may pluck seasonally in conjunction with breeding periods during the year. These phases are short lived and the damaged or lost feathers are quickly replaced within a few weeks to a month or two.

Behavioural: This classifies the largest group of birds who are feather pluckers/chewers. In many cases it begins when there is a substantial change in the parrot's environment; either a lack of or decrease in socialization between owner and pet, a change of owner or environment, etc... The change can be drastic or subtle to offset the behaviour

Toxicity / Allergies; An uncommon reaction, some birds will remove the feathers along the inner thigh and sometimes tear off the first layer of skin in response to a reaction with either a toxic substance or other item(s) ingested.

Parasites: Parasites can cause enough irritation to prompt birds to remove feathers.

Disease: There are some virus' that cause feather malformation (such as PBFD) that can copy what may look like feather destructive behaviour to the untrained eye.

In many cases feather plucking can be avoided with proper socialization, training and general care. Smothering pet birds with unrealistic amounts of attention and then restricting it to a lesser (but still adequate) amount is frustrating and confusing for the animal. Although most birds won't pluck immediately with a small negative short term change, if the problem isn't resolved quickly it can be very difficult and sometimes impossible to stop a feather plucker.

Self-mutilating birds go the extra length; usually after there are few or no feathers left to remove, they will make open wounds along the crop or chest area. These tend to be extreme cases of birds with mental distress, often from abused or severely neglected homes.

There is no cure all for parrots that have become feather pluckers. The best method of treatment is first prevention when possible by proper care, and otherwise environmental and social changes to try and reverse the problem. It is always a good idea to seek veterinary advice to rule out other medical problems or hormonal imbalances if unsure as to why your bird may have started feather chewing. Some birds never stop feather destructive behaviour once they start and it can become a lifelong change that both owner and pet will need to face.

Here are a few tips to help deal with a feather plucker;

Never react when your bird plucks or chews feathers, this will only reinforce the behaviour.

Try bathing your bird daily to help sooth the skin. When new feathers grow they are often itchy and uncomfortable.

Rotate and change your toys frequently, provide enriching toys that force the bird to focus his or her attention on objects other then it's own feathers.

Make sure your bird gets at least 11-12 hours sleep at night (a cover around a cage in a room where people watch TV until 12am doesn't cut it). If you have to, move your bird into a sleeping cage in another room in the house.

Provide a daily and predictable routine and try and stick to it. Like us birds appreciate routine and know what to expect during the day.

Be realistic as to how much attention and time spent out of the cage your bird gets. Never over do it! 3 hours is a good amount that can fit in easily with almost any one's life style. Keeping your bird out whenever you're at home and only locking him up at night or when you go to work won't do you any favours.