Why does a parrot pull out its feathers?

Pulling out feathers is a fairly common phenomenon, and various species of birds kept in captivity are susceptible to it, but especially parrots, and especially large ones.

Reasons for birds pulling out feathers

2. Often, after treating skin diseases, ointment remains on the bird’s feathers. Birds pluck feathers that have become oily. This can become a habit.

3. Incorrect feeding. Unfortunately, owners often feed their feathered pets not as they should, but as they want. Parrots are given sausage, meat and other food from their table. Birds very quickly get used to such food, and their owners are happy: they eat with their pets from the same plate. However, organisms differ from organism to organism, whether in birds or in humans. That is why some parrots can eat food for quite a long time that has nothing in common with their own. However, the result is always the same: in the end, even the most resistant suffer from metabolic disorders and internal organs are affected, especially the kidneys. The bird experiences itching, scratches frequently and begins to pull out feathers.

4. Parrots can pluck themselves when they are feeding their chicks: if they lack protein and minerals.

5. Self-plucking can be caused by stress. It can occur as a result of the bird being moved to a smaller cage, due to separation from its partner, or when the owner changes. In nature, parrots live in flocks for most of their lives, not counting the breeding season. If a bird finds itself alone, it may experience stress. Stress can often be caused by cats and dogs being in the same room with the bird. Therefore, people who, when leaving for work, leave their pets alone for the whole day, should not have parrots, especially if it is scary.

Self-plucking- a serious illness accompanied by disorders of the psyche and endocrine glands, endocrine glands.

The growth of feathers in birds is directly dependent on the functioning of the thyroid gland. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland affect the formation of heat, oxidative processes in tissues, and various types of metabolism. But the main thing is that this gland regulates basic metabolism, the normal state of which is extremely important for the formation of feathers. During natural molting in birds, thanks to thyroid hormones, the level of oxidative processes in tissues sharply increases, and the blood maintains a high concentration of nitrogen and sulfur - elements necessary for the development of feathers.

When a parrot deprives itself of feathers, the thyroid gland, as during natural molting, begins to work hard. Feathers appear. But the parrot pulls them out again. The thyroid gland again intensively produces hormones. The parrot is plucking out its feathers again. And the thyroid gland is depleted. She can no longer produce hormones. Their deficiency is accompanied by a decrease in oxidative processes in tissues, the level of basal metabolism, and in addition, the ability of feather buds to grow is lost. As a result, only large wing and tail feathers - flight and tail feathers - slowly develop on the bird's body, while the body and legs remain bare. In addition, decreased thyroid function can lead to mental disorders. And this aggravates the bird’s condition. The parrot becomes irritable and hysterical.

What to do if a parrot pulls out its feathers?

Save the bird from loneliness, buy your parrot a mate or keep him busy with something so that he doesn’t get bored. If you decide to buy a pair for a parrot, then remember that the first bird you come across may not suit your partner. There is also no guarantee that a healthy bird, seeing what a sick bird is doing, will not follow her example: imitation in parrots, like in many other animals, is highly developed. And then two sick parrots will appear instead of one.

To reduce itching, birds are given 1/8-1/2 tablets of calcium pangamate and vitamin B 15 every day. If a parrot's feathers do not grow, it should be constantly given food containing iodine. In severely advanced cases, birds need to be treated with drugs that stimulate the thyroid gland, but this requires consultation with a veterinarian.

To tidy up the nervous system, birds are given pollen, eleutherococcus extract, valerian infusion, possibly with sugar or honey, as well as valerian extract (1/2 tablet per day for large birds), however, this drug has a weaker effect than valerian infusion.

In addition, parrots must bathe frequently and need ultraviolet radiation.

Some parrots stop plucking feathers when a collar is put on them. Therefore, you can use it. It is made from plastic, from any light but durable material. The “collar” is a circle, the diameter of which depends on the size of the bird; it should be such that the bird cannot reach its body with its beak. A round radius is cut or sawn, and another circle is made in the middle, a hole for the neck. Its diameter depends on the thickness of the bird’s neck; the edges of the hole must be smoothed with sandpaper or something else so that wounds cannot occur on the neck. After the “collar” is put on, the edges of the cut part are fastened. You can make a “collar” from two identical semicircles. In the home of a parrot with a “collar”, the feeder and drinking bowl should be in such places that the bird can reach them.

Literature used
L. Stishkovskaya. "1000 tips for the care and treatment of pets"

“Where the forest is like paradise and where there are flowers all year round.

Parrots live here - birds of wondrous beauty.

They sparkle with every inflorescence of colors, they bloom with every feather.

How many fairy tales do birds know, how many songs do they cherish!

E. Frantsuzova

Parrots, funny domestic birds, have luxurious plumage - a source of pride for the owners and the birds themselves. How much joy and happy moments they bring to their owner! And so much excitement is caused by situations when beautiful feathers are lost! Talkative birds tend to engage in self-plucking.

You can’t watch without tears how a gorgeous bird turns into a pitiful semblance of a naked chicken carcass. What's happening? Why does a parrot pull out feathers? Let's figure it out.

Preliminary inspection

To examine your pet, take the parrot in your arms. If the bird has already gotten comfortable and accustomed to the environment, this will be easy to do. But for a still wild parrot, an examination can cause stress. In this case, act kindly, remembering to talk to your pet in a soothing voice.

Behavior. A healthy bird is active and mobile, reacting cheerfully to sounds. But when the parrot is shaggy, sits on a perch for a long time, and is constantly sleepy, this is not normal. Especially if the pet refuses to eat and does not want to communicate. This behavior indicates the development of the disease.

Completeness. Pay attention to the fatness of the bird! A sick parrot loses up to 1/3 of its body weight (a bird can lose weight in 20-24 hours). Fatness is checked by the development of the pectoral muscles (in a healthy parrot it is elastic and round). But in case of nutritional disorders, especially with cachexia (exhaustion), a pointed edge is easily palpable at the keel bone.

The keel bone (keel) is a longitudinal lower bone with cartilage. It is located in the lower chest area.

Feathers. A healthy parrot has clean, smooth and even feathers. If the parrot has become dirty and disheveled, pick it up and carefully examine it:

Leather. To examine and evaluate the bird's skin, gently part the feathers and inspect the skin. A healthy bird has a light pink epidermis. Yellow color indicates obesity or liver disease.

Dehydration of a pet becomes a dangerous situation. To check this, slightly lift the skin of the eyelids (if dehydration is present, the raised skin remains wrinkled and does not return to its original state for some time).

Ears. Carefully inspect your parrot's ear openings for excess secretions or foreign bodies. To view the ears, gently lift the bird's head feathers and inspect the ear openings.

Eyes. Healthy eyes are clear, with a clean cornea. If diseases develop in the bird’s body, the eyes react as follows:

• The third eyelid falls out.
• There is lacrimation.
• The conjunctiva turns red and swells.

Pallor of the conjunctiva indicates that the parrot is becoming anemic. To check your assumption, gently touch the mucous membrane of the eye. With anemia, the eye membranes are soft and pliable. But take into account the age of the bird - in older birds the conjunctiva turns pale.

Nose. When a parrot develops inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, serous fluid flows from the nose. If the discharge is cloudy in color, there is too much dust in the surrounding air.

Beak. In a healthy bird, the horny surface of the beak is smooth and shiny, without growths, tumors and abscesses.

Mouth. To examine the oral cavity, lightly tap your pet's beak. When examining, pay attention to the condition of the tongue and the color of the mucous membrane. It is also necessary to examine the goiter area (pinch the goiter area with your index finger and thumb and feel it).

If the contents of the goiter are foamy, white, or the consistency of the goiter component is hard, this indicates inflammation. The bird accepts dirty water and food stained with droppings.

Anus. Carefully examine the butt area (before carefully blotting the cloaca with a cotton pad). In a healthy parrot, the area on the butt has no swelling or redness. Otherwise, inflammatory processes occur in the bird.

Paws. The parrot's paws are examined at the end of the preventive measure. Deformation of the claws also indicates illiterate maintenance and a small number of perches. Skin covered with horny scales is a sign that the bird is infected with scabies mites.

If there is a suspicion that the pet is unwell, immediately remove the parrot from other relatives in a quarantine cage. Feed sick birds dry/soft food or sprouted millet. Eliminate fruits and greens from your diet. And hurry up to see the veterinarian!

Reasons for self-plucking

There are many reasons that provoke birds to pluck their own (and their partners’) feathers. This behavior is observed in cases of illness, poor living conditions and mental disorders of the bird. Let's look at each reason in more detail.

Diseases

Knemidocoptic mange does not pose a threat to humans. The scabies mite, when it gets on human skin, dies within 1-2 days.

Symptoms. The disease goes through four stages of development:

1. Initial. The insidiousness of the disease is that the symptoms are not detected immediately. At the initial stage, it is impossible to recognize the disease. Knemidocoptic mange appears as soon as the mites reach the adult stage (this takes 3-4 months).
2. Easy. On the paws and the area of ​​the beak (cere) growths similar to limestone piles form. The skin peels, itches, and begins to peel off. A sick parrot gnaws its paws and pulls out feathers, trying to scratch its itchy skin.
3. Average. Scabies is already pronounced. The mite occupies almost the entire body of the unfortunate bird. The parrot eats poorly due to a deformed beak and furiously plucks its feathers until it bleeds. The bird's behavior is sluggish and lifeless.
4. Heavy. The poor bird is completely deprived of its feather cover. The skin and beak are covered with rough growths. Inflammation of the joints begins (if the parrot loses its limbs, it dies).

Causes of the disease. Where does the terrible creature come from among parrots living at home? The bird becomes infected with mites in the pet store due to a decrease in immunity. The mite enters the cage along with poor-quality, dirty food and as a result of living in unsanitary conditions.

Feathers affected by lice eaters become full of holes, their tips become deformed and curled. The birds' eyes become inflamed and the feathers on their backs completely fall out. Newborn chicks die.

Down-eaters are visible to the naked eye - they look like dark, moving sticks. The lice eaters instantly infect their cage neighbors, and the parrots begin to pluck each other's feathers.

Symptoms You can find out that your pet is sick by the following signs:

• Characteristic spots appear on the parrot's face, beak, and paws. They are covered with gray scales and are very itchy.
• The pet, getting rid of the itching, scratches the skin with its beak and paws, tearing out feathers.
• A white, cheesy coating appears in the bird's crop. These secretions stain the plumage in the head area.
• A sick bird's appetite decreases and gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea) begin. A sick pet is lethargic, weak, and breathing heavily.

The reason for self-plucking is illiterate care.

The parrot is a capricious and capricious creature. A pet requires love, human care and good living conditions. Good content means:

• Correct lighting (daylight hours for birds are 15-16 hours).
• Location of the cage (away from drafts, windows, heating appliances).
• Frequency of bathing (regularly, especially in hot weather; after the procedure, the bath should be removed and the wet surface of the cage should be wiped dry).
• Clean air (no smoking or using aerosol products near birds).
• Humidity and temperature (the best air temperature for a pet’s life will be +20-25⁰C with a humidity of 70-80⁰).

Owners should pay special attention to clean air and regular bathing of birds. Dirt from feathers and inhalation of dust provoke the development of self-plucking. The bird, striving for cleanliness, plucks out its dirty feathers.

Self-plucking is caused by poor sleep and unstable daylight hours. With good lighting, birds' calcium metabolism is normalized, and their feathers become strong and healthy.

Cell. Some especially sensitive birds begin to pull out feathers when living in a round cage. Many parrots are wary of strangers and strangers and try to hide in the privacy of their home. If there are no corners, the upset, frightened pet begins to tear feathers.

Poisoning. One of the reasons for self-plucking is metal poisoning. What is the cell made of? Tin, zinc, and lead are used in the production of cheap housing and accessories. The parrot, gnawing on the bars of the cage, is poisoned. Due to poisoning, the owner should give the pet only bottled water (it is prohibited to give water from the tap!).

Nutrition. Many birds pluck their feathers due to allergies. Allergic reactions are caused by unsuitable food. Owners should very carefully introduce new foods into the diet, paying close attention to the behavior of the birds, and stop using mineral stones with dyes.

A bird plucks feathers due to a lack of certain substances in the body (in this case, the plucked feather has a stem filled with blood). This occurs due to a lack of the amino acid arginine in the body. The most arginine is found in:

• Rapeseed.
• Niger.
• Oatmeal.
• Canary seed.

Self-plucking of talkative pets begins due to an attempt to independently treat a sick bird (wrong choice of medicine, non-compliance with the norm). The owner's arrogance leads to allergic reactions, poisoning and death of the bird.

Natural causes

Parrots regularly molt, their feather cover changes, and the pets “help” themselves get rid of their feathers as quickly as possible. With the end of molting, self-plucking stops. The pet itself does not show any signs of illness or behavioral disorders - it is cheerful and active.

But when stress hits the unfortunate parrot, things get much worse. Being under the influence of emotional overload, melancholy, despondency, the pet's self-plucking reaches such an extent that not a single feather remains on the body. What causes stress?

• Loneliness, lack of fun and toys.
• Family climate (frequent quarrels, shouting, swearing among people).

Parrots are often driven into stress by their own owner. Accustomed to waking up with the first rays of the sun, chatty birds begin to make noise. A sleepy person, hoping to get some more sleep, covers the cage with a cloth, provoking a stressful situation in the bird.

Hungry birds sitting in the dark and alone, out of boredom and sadness, begin to pluck out their feathers.

What do you recommend? Love and respect feathered pets, get them a mate (female or male), regularly let them fly around the apartment and never yell at them.

According to observations and research conducted by leading ornithologists, the following breeds of parrots are most susceptible to self-plucking:

• Cockatoo.
• Aratingi.
• Monk parrots.
• Grey-cheeked parrots.
• Representatives of the macaw family.
• Representatives of the lovebird species.
• Eclectus (parrots of noble blood).
• Jacos (African gray and red-tailed parrots).
• Representatives of the group of ringed parrots (necked parrots, plum-headed and Alexandrian).

But finches, Amazons, budgies, and cockatiels rarely experience such behavior disorder. Self-plucking is a serious disorder that negatively affects the health and mental state of the parrot.

The functioning of the thyroid gland and endocrine glands suffers. Healthy feather growth depends on the functioning of the thyroid gland. A pet, tearing out feathers, forces the thyroid gland to work hard. Over time, her strength and energy reserves are depleted.

A weakened thyroid gland stops producing hormones necessary for the development and health of the bird, which leads to serious illnesses and mental disorders. This condition should be treated and corrected immediately!

What to do?

Free your pet from melancholy and loneliness. Buy a friend's parrot, but don't forget that the new bird needs quarantine. Parrots are creatures that love to imitate. If there is a sick bird in the home that is engaged in plucking feathers, looking at it, and healthy relatives will begin to pluck themselves.

Review and improve the maintenance and diet of the bird. Constantly offer your pet new food of good quality - variety is important in food!

Don't pay attention to the indignant cries of the capricious bird! Give only the “correct” food and do not remove food, even if the parrot is on a hunger strike.

Sometimes raising parrots requires patience and endurance. Sometimes it takes months to accustom your pet to healthy food. The person must win in this, not the pet! Eliminate walnuts and oilseeds from your diet. The bird should regularly eat beets, carrots, and salad (this food stimulates the thyroid gland and saturates the body with iodine).

Iodine is an extremely important trace element for the growth and strength of feathers. If the bird is itching, include vitamin B15 and calcium pangamate (half a tablet each) in the diet. Tincture of valerian, eleutherococcus, and pollen is useful for the health of the nervous system. The tinctures are mixed with honey, sugar and given to the pet.

Provide your favorite bird with a bath by placing a container of warm water in its cage every day. In winter, additionally conduct UV irradiation sessions. In severe cases, when self-plucking progresses, wearing a special collar helps. You can do it yourself:

1. Take a dense, elastic material (preferably plastic).
2. Cut a circle out of it (its diameter depends on the size). Calculate its size so that the bird cannot reach the body with its beak.
3. In the center of the circle, make another hole with a diameter equal to the parrot's neck.
4. Sand the edges with sandpaper - they should be smooth so as not to injure the delicate skin.
5. Place it on the bird and secure the edges of the product.

The pet will have to wear the collar for 1-2 months. If the bad habit returns and self-plucking resumes, the pet will have to wear the collar for another six months. Be sure to move the water bowl and feeder so that the collared parrot can reach them.

With joint efforts, round-the-clock care and attention, the owner will be able to help the poor parrot get rid of his disfiguring bad habit and return the bird to its luxurious, beautiful plumage!

Parrots, like no other birds, are prone to self-plucking; it’s sad to watch your beloved pet pluck out its feathers one after another. What is the reason for this behavior and what to do about it? - let's figure it out.

Long-term shedding

Active molting occurs twice a year - in spring and autumn, but there should not be completely bare areas on the parrot's skin. The only exception is young individuals who are molting for the first time; it is more difficult and may be accompanied by bald spots. New growing feathers, breaking through the skin, can itch and itch, so the bird tends to pluck out the old ones that are preventing the growth of a new feather. If the bird does not peck itself until it bleeds and does not tear out healthy feathers, this is a completely normal process.

Another thing is nibbled and broken feathers, as well as erupting “stumps” that do not open for a long time. This indicates a metabolic disorder or disease of the bird; you need to show it to an ornithologist and do the necessary tests.

Banal boredom

Yes, yes, boredom is the main reason that a parrot plucks or chews its feathers. Parrots are emotional creatures, and stressful conditions are not uncommon for them. There are many reasons why parrots self-pluck:

• Lack of sleep, being near irritants (children or other pets;
• Separation from previous owners;
• Unsuitable partner or loss of a previous couple;
• Lack of attention from the owner;
• Lack of toys in the cage;
• Change of location or relocation;
• Puberty.

A bird can show aggression not only towards itself, but also begin to pluck feathers from its relatives. The bird needs to be provided with comfortable conditions: the cage should have toys, perches, mirrors, beads and other interesting little things. Try to exercise your bird regularly and find time to pet and feed it.

Dry air

Parrots in an apartment with dry air may have dry skin (which is surprising, since birds are tropical), and scales similar to dandruff form on the skin, which are very itchy. You cannot place the cage near heating appliances and radiators - they dry the bird’s skin and mucous membranes; it is recommended to use humidifiers to increase humidity; avoid drafts. There should always be clean water and a bath in the cage. Against the background of dry air, bronchitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and other diseases can also develop.

Dermatitis

There are many reasons why your pet parrot may be plucking feathers. In the following article we will try to consider each of them and give a number of recommendations on how to bring your pet's behavior back to normal.

If your parrot's feathers fall out or he plucks them on his own, then you should immediately pay attention to this. It is possible that you are observing a natural process of changing your pet’s feather cover, but in some cases this may not be the case at all.

Keep in mind that a parrot without feathers is like a person without arms. That is why plumage plays a very important role in the life of every parrot. However, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves and consider each of the possible reasons in more detail.

Shedding

Every self-respecting bird breeder should know what molting is and when it occurs. It is during periods of molting that old feathers of parrots are replaced by new ones.

This process usually occurs a couple of times a year, in spring and autumn. At such moments, your feathered fidget loses feathers evenly. This means that the loss of old feathers occurs as if unnoticed, without leaving noticeable bald spots and areas devoid of feathers on the pet’s body. The fact that the molting process is already underway can be understood by the increased number of feathers falling onto the floor of the cage.

Typically, when your parrots start moulting, they become more irritable due to the growing stumps of new plumage. In such cases, it often happens that the pet can pull out its own feathers.

However, molting may be accompanied by some complications. In particular, if your pet begins to tear its skin until it bleeds, and new plumage still cannot grow, then this is already a cause for concern.

Most likely, your parrot has a metabolic disorder or you are faced with some other reason for feather loss. Only doctors can give you an accurate answer, and only after they have done all the necessary tests.

Depression

Another common reason why parrots pluck feathers is basic depression.

Domesticated parrots are often purchased not only because of their stunning appearance, but also because of their funny behavior and cheerful disposition. These birds can have fun all day long and fly around the room, attracting your attention and responding to your reciprocity.

However, as soon as you stop paying attention to them, they will immediately begin to feel sad. Surely you have seen a picture more than once when a lonely bird retreats into its cage and constantly dozes.

However, other factors can also cause depression. Such as the death of a couple, change of place of residence, chronic lack of sleep, and even food that is unsuitable for the pet. All this can cause your parrot to start itching and tearing out its plumage.

And if a caring owner immediately pays attention to this, he will certainly correct the current situation. An experienced breeder will not even need to explain what to do and what to do if his pet becomes depressed.

The first thing you need to do is immediately find time to be around your parrot more often. At the same time, it is imperative not only to play with your pet, but also to simply communicate.

Be sure to place some interesting birds next to the bird’s house and inside it that the pet could play with in your absence. In addition, you will need to check the poultry feed and, if necessary, replace it with another grain composition.

Indoor air is too dry

Every breeder knows that the homeland of the majority is some country located in the tropical climate zone. All of them are characterized by high air humidity.

When it comes to your apartment, its atmosphere is clearly drier and less comfortable for any type of parrot. As a result, your pet’s skin will likely constantly dry out, peel, and thereby cause irritation. Usually in such cases the parrot is constantly itching.

To somehow alleviate his suffering, you can purchase a special humidifier and spray water on it from time to time. In addition, the bird should be able to bathe whenever it wants.

Dermatitis

At the moments when your tamed pets pluck their feathers and scratch their skin until they bleed, they can catch some disease that significantly complicates an already difficult situation.

Many factors can cause this condition. Such as - lack of air, dry air, etc.

If your pet finds itself in such an unpleasant situation, it cannot do without timely help from specialists. So don't delay your trip to the vet. Surely he will immediately advise you to do a series of tests on your domesticated parrot.

Bright, beautiful, shiny plumage is the decoration of parrots and the pride of their breeders. But what to do if a cockatiel, budgerigar, or lovebird plucks its feathers? Why do birds pull out their feathers? The owners' concern is not without reason, and it is very important to find the reason.

There is an opinion that feathers are pulled out and plucked by large parrots (brothers, macaws). But this is not so; self-plucking is observed in cockatiels, budgerigars, lovebirds, and parakeets.

A parrot plucks its feathers for the following reasons:

• unfavorable conditions of detention;
• frequent stress, severe fear;
• infectious, invasive diseases, fungal infections;
• unbalanced diet;
• violation of hygiene rules;
• dermatological diseases;
• frustration;
• metabolic disorder;
• endocrine pathologies;
• physical inactivity;
• molting (juvenile, French);
• hypo-, avitaminosis.

A parrot may pluck feathers due to lack of attention, boredom, or loneliness. If your cockatiel itches or plucks its feathers, this behavior may be caused by depression. Domesticated parrots need not only proper care, but also affection, love, and care from the owner. Parrots may experience depression if they are separated from their partner, as well as if they change their usual place of residence. If birds are sad, sad and bored, in this case they can pluck all their feathers.

Too dry indoor air, poor microclimate, exposure to toxins and chemicals can also provoke self-plucking in feathered pets.

Itching and skin irritation can be caused by chronic pathologies of the liver and kidneys. During periods of exacerbation of illnesses, the parrot begins to pluck its feathers.

Molting is a natural physiological process in which birds change their old plumage to new ones. As a rule, parrots molt twice a year - in autumn and spring. During this period, the parrot devotes more time to the hygiene of its plumage. Replacing a feather causes itching, which is why your budgie itches. But if the molting proceeds normally, the parrot is healthy, and the change of plumage occurs evenly. There should be no extensive bald spots or bald spots on the body.

As a rule, due to severe itching, cockatiels and wavy parrots become more irritable. It also happens that birds begin to violently tear out their feathers. You need to worry and take action when wounds, bleeding, non-healing ulcers appear on the body, or if the parrot is becoming very bald.

Dermatoses, dermatitis, mycoses

Very often, self-plucking is provoked by dermatological diseases, which affect all types of parrots without exception. Lack of vitamins, constant skin irritation, chronic pathologies, stress that weakens the body, unfavorable indoor microclimate are predisposing factors contributing to the development of dermatitis in birds.

Parrots become restless, sit on a perch or the bottom of the cage, ruffled, constantly itching, tearing out their feathers. Due to severe itching, wounds, scratches, and hairless areas appear on the body. The skin is hyperemic and thickened. In severe cases, the parrot can completely pluck the feathers on its wings and tail.

A veterinarian or ornithologist will tell you what can be done in such a situation after establishing the exact root cause. In some cases, it will be necessary to conduct a series of laboratory tests, based on the results of which treatment will be prescribed for your feathered pet.

To prevent the bird from losing its plumage, if the body begins to itch severely, it must be treated immediately using preparations for general and local use (ointments, suspensions, liniments).

Violation of living conditions and feeding standards

Insufficient content of vitamins, essential amino acids (cystine, lysine, methionine) and minerals in the diet is one of the most common self-plucking problems. If your cockatiel is itching and plucking feathers, one of the reasons may be a lack of protein in the food. Parrots simply need protein food. The amount of protein required depends on the type of parrot.

Self-plucking can be caused not only by an unbalanced, poor diet, but also by a violation of the feeding regime.

Dry air in apartments, especially during the heating season, cramped cages, physical inactivity, and lack of toys adversely affect the condition of feathers in birds. Parrots have dry skin and no sebaceous or sweat glands, with the exception of the coccygeal gland. At the same time, the coccygeal gland is absent in grays, macaws, and Amazons.

Procedure

As already noted, in order to fix the problem, you need to understand the cause of this condition. If the bird itches or plucks feathers due to nutrition, reconsider the diet of your feathered pet. Give him high-quality grains and special foods that have a balanced composition. Supplement your diet with fresh herbs, vegetables, fruits, and mineral and vitamin supplements.

Systematically monitor the cleanliness of the cells and disinfect them. It is equally important to properly arrange a house for your pet. Place toys in the cage so that the parrot has something to entertain himself with.

If the bird is left alone for a long time, get a second parrot. The birds will have more fun together. Let your pets fly around the apartment. This will help avoid physical inactivity, which also provokes self-plucking.

When self-plucking, if the parrot is constantly pulling out feathers, special sprays help well - Beafar spray, Aloe Vera. They have a moisturizing, antibacterial, antiseptic effect, soften the skin, and relieve itching. Before use, carefully read the instructions for the drugs.

If your parrot plucks feathers, use a proven home remedy to apply a solution of baking soda to the bird's feathers at a ratio of 1/1. The parrot will not like the bitter taste, and he will stop tearing out his feathers. In case of severe self-plucking, place a protective collar around the bird's neck. This way, parrots simply won’t be able to pluck their feathers.

If the parrot itches a lot, vitamin B12, 1/8, ½ calcium permanganate tablets, eleutherococcus extract will relieve the itching. Lubricate the itchy area with medicinal ointments and creams. To normalize the emotional state, parrots are given an infusion of valerian with honey or sugar.