Parrot Feather Picking Cures

When a pet parrot begins plucking its own feathers, there is something wrong. Whether it is a medical or psychological problem, the key to successfully overcoming this problem is diagnosing it quickly. Feather-plucking can often go overlooked, but at the first signs of ragged feathers or bald patches on the bird, owners should recognize that there is a potential problem and take steps to correct it.

  1. Medicine

    • The first stop should be a veterinarian.

      When it's noticed that a parrot is plucking its own feathers, the first place to go should be the veterinarian. In some cases, feather-plucking begins when the parrot is feeling a dietary imbalance or is feeling pain in the location associated with the biting. A veterinarian will be able to tell if it is a medical problem that is causing the bird to pluck feathers. If the plucking is located around a single joint, it is possible the bird is developing arthritis. Other common conditions that can be treated with antibiotics include thrush, staph infections and psittacosis. The bird may also be suffering from dry skin, which can typically be managed with supplements.

    Change in Diet

    • Sharing your own nutritious snacks with a parrot can help maintain health.

      The parrot may be plucking feathers in order to ingest the nutrients stored in them. This commonly occurs when the parrot is given an incomplete or imbalanced diet. A well-rounded diet should include a basic dry food prepared specifically for parrots, but should also include fresh fruits and vegetables as well as seeds and herbs like yarrow, wheatgrass and licorice. Without a well-balanced diet, parrots can easily begin to suffer from decreased appetite and lethargy resulting from deficiencies in vitamins like A and D as well as calcium. Changing the parrot to a well-balanced diet can help correct this problem.

    Socialization

    • Parrots are social creatures that benefit from being in pairs.

      Parrots are social animals, and it is common that a feather-plucking habit develops because the bird is lonely. If the parrot is home alone all day, then left in its cage at night, this can create severe loneliness and depression in the bird -- especially if the cage is in a separate room away from the family. Spending more one-on-one time with the parrot can help curb loneliness, and moving the cage to a more central location in the home can help make the bird feel a part of the family. Position the cage so the bird can see what's going on and hear those around him. The introduction of another bird can also help curb loneliness, and may be a good way to solve problems in a situation where the human family works long hours.

    Entertainment

    • An active parrot is a happy parrot.

      Sometimes parrots will begin plucking their own feathers simply because they have nothing else to do. Parrots are extremely intelligent birds, and having toys to keep them occupied can help prevent a number of behavioral problems from feather-plucking to excessive squawking. Provide plenty of toys for the parrot, and rotate them on a regular basis. Something as simple as a mop head can give the parrot somewhere else to redirect its energies, and many pet stores carry a large number of wooden toys, swings and mirrors to keep parrots entertained. When alone for long periods of time, leaving a television on in front of the cage can also help keep the parrot entertained.