Feather picking is probably the most common ailments seen in captive birds. To understand it you must first know the difference between normal feather loss, and abnormal feather loss. Small amounts of feather loss is normal for all species of birds. Examples of normal feather loss are: molting, nest building and removal of broken feathers. It is key as a avian owner to understand your birds behavior and habits to recognize the difference. For those inexperience in husbandry and behavior of birds should consult a veterinarian, ornithologist, or orthocultrist.
Signs of abnormal feather loss:
1. bleeding
2. bald spots
3. present areas of skins
4. constant/ habitual pruning
5. excessive presence of feather on bottom of cage
common reasons of feather loss
1. Cage mates
In many causes birds housed together may exhibit feather loss. Feather loss in multiple bird cages is usually associated with aggression. Signs of cage aggression is usually exhibited in feather loss around head, back, and wings. It is imperative to make sure that this feather loss is caused by cage aggression and not a medical condition. Once you have established that it is cage aggression and not a medical condition there are many steps to addressing the condition.
A) recognize which species you are housing. Some species do not tolerate others within there terror Tory.
B) Also check there gender ( if in pairs). This can also be lead to territorial problems.
C) Compatibility, some birds ( even species that can usually be housed together), will occasionally display aggression to there cage mates. This is one of the biggest problems that hopefully breeders will find. I have seen many cases where hopeful breeders will go through several pairs to find one that the male/ female they already have will except.
Resolving this problem
If the problem is aggression in smaller species, there are several steps to take. First check your cage space, if it is possible provide a larger cage. Second add visual barriers, placing visual barriers such as plants, toys, walls and nest boxes can reduce the aggression. Last introducing cage mates. If the ratio is uneven ( male: female) adding another male/ female to even the ratio ( or in some species un evening the ratio) can resolve this issue. In larger species it is best to separate the birds. I have seen many cases of mild cage aggression ( feather pulling etc.), turning into lacerations even amputated limbs and digits. Also never introduce a bird into another’s cage right of the bat. It is best to allow the birds to see one another for a short period of time prior to physical introduction. Also make sure to be present and not to leave them un-attended, until you are sure that they are compatible.
2. Viral, Bacterial, fungal, and parasitical
All of these should be addressed by a veterinarian. Examples: mites, Polyomavirus, PBFD ( pssitacines beak and feather disease), Staph, and yeast infections to name just a few. Each of these exhibit different clinical signs, and have different treatments. Some can be addressed with simple injections and some are non-curable. But what they all have in common is there is no reliable OTC cure. One of the most common OTC is Mite spray. Many OTC mites spray contain Pyrethrins ( which in birds can do more damage good then harm). And many people freak at the cost of a reliable exotic vet. DON'T some treatments such as Ivermectin injections cost as little as $75.00 including the exam. If you are concerned about financial cost, let the vet know. Most vets will take this into mind and qoute you for everything.
Nutritional
Many birds will exhibit feather picking if they have been on a improper diet for an extended period of time. Improper diets include Seed diets, low nutritional seeds, and people food. The key to resolve nutritional feather picking is diet change, and that can be one of the hardest things to do.
Behavioral
This is usually the most common and most difficult to resolve. Keep in mind that many behavioral issues cannot be resolved without professional help. The biggest key in treating behavioral issues in birds is understanding your bird and keeping tract of any changes in the house hold. Many birds will develop feather picking do to stress, such as introduction of new family members, moving, decreased time attention, and tension in the household. I always tell clients that when you purchase a bird it is like purchasing a 4yr. old child. If you are sure that it is behavioral there are a few steps you can take to resolve this.
A) Try to increase the stimulates in the birds life. Simple changes such as new toys, music, TV, a window, and new companion change resolve feather picking!
B) Go back to the old ways (if possible). If you can recognize the time the behavior started and associate it with the change. Allot of times going back an changes the issue will fix the problem. Remember that birds can be creatures of habit. If this issue is a new family member, or new pet it may not be so easy to adjust. Two options are increasing the attention given to the bird, and medicating the bird.
C) Check the photo period. Most birds require between 12-14 hours of quiet/ dark time per day.
D) Medicating a bird should only be done through and under the supervision of a veterinarian. Many vets will prescribe Prozac ( Fluxatine Hydrochloride), or Valium ( Diazepam) if needed. Make sure to only administer the recommended dose and for the recommended period.
Conclusion
Addressing Feather picking in birds can be one of the hardest problems to correct even for professional. I strongly recommend for any bird with feather picking that you seek professional/ veterinary assistance/ recommendations. Also keep in mind that feather picking is very rarely a quick fix and can take anywhere from a few days to correct to months and years. Also the information provided above is merrily a recommendation and should not be construed as the choice to treatment, that should be left to a veterinarian.
If you have any questions/ comments feel free to email us at: staff@gaiaexotics.com
