Feather plucking in Pet Parrots [bird health]

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Most of you won't like this but the one main reason why parrots pluck is that we decided to domestic an exotic animal and take them out of its natural environment. Feather plucking can be anywhere from over preening to self mutilates. The different degrees depending on the parrot itself and why it's plucking. The list of why a parrot can start plucking and continues to grow as we learn more. 

But the main reasons:
Pain
Medical
Emotional stress
Bordom
Hormones
Malnutrition
Lack of natural light or fresh air/water


The first thing to do is to get CBC and X-rays to make sure there are no medical reasons for plucking. Anything from clogged in the crop, any type of pain, and or cancer. When treatable plucking isn’t taken care of in time, it can become a habit.

LOTUS BROKE HIS TAIL BONE AND STARTED PLUCKING AS A RESULT. (PAIN) HE IS GETTING TREATMENTS AND HAS STOPPED PLUCKING FOR NOW.

After that is all guessing and testing. My friend's cockatoo was mutilating and she later figured out all she wanted was a friend, in the shape of a conure. After that, she stopped. 
Sometimes it's as easy as taking away a nest box when there is no male present.
Most times, you won't know what the problem was and your parrot may never stop plucking.

PEPPER ADOPTED 5 YEARS AGO, I DON’T KNOW WHY HE PLUCKS, BUT HE IS HEALTHY ALL MEDICAL TESTS DONE.

Something as moving into a new home can trigger a stress response to pluck. Also, artificial color and preservatives in pellets can cause plucking. Hormonal pluckers usually pluck in spring or fall and let the feathers grow for the rest of the year.

ALEEN, HORMONAL PLUCKER. PLUCKS ONLY IN SPRING, AND THEN LETS HER BEAUTIFUL PURPLE FEATHERS OUT FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

No matter if your parrot plucks or not, they have an amazing personality that is much larger than their physical appearance.

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Author Monika Sangar
www.pdsparrotshop.com
www.pdsnonprofit.org 
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