Ideas to Stop a Parrot From Plucking or Chewing

Parrot owners are often dismayed to find that their birds are plucking and chewing their feathers and ruining their beautiful appearance. Parrots might engage in this behavior for many reasons, but owners should rule out medical problems by taking the parrot to the veterinarian̵7;s office for a full checkup. The parrot may have a fungal infection or other problems that cause it to exhibit abnormal behavior. If the parrot doesn̵7;t have a medical problem, owners can try other methods to stop it from destroying its feathers.

  1. Diet

    • Parrots that do not eat a nutritious diet may pluck or chew their feathers to supplement the deficiency. Owners should feed their birds more than seeds. Parrots need a balanced diet of grains, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, cooked vegetables, beans and pellets. Since they eat many of the same foods as humans do, owners should plan to cook enough food to include the parrot in the meal.

    Activity

    • Some parrots mutilate their feathers because they are bored and need stimulating activity. Owners should make sure parrots are properly entertained by playing with them as much as possible. Parrots thrive on human interaction. If the parrot is left alone a lot, it needs an interesting window view or toys to play with. The more complex the toys, the more the parrot will enjoy them. Parrots also can be entertained watching television or listening to the radio.

    Stress

    • Parrots react adversely to change and stress. This may be physical or emotional. Moving the parrot̵7;s cage to another room or moving to another house can cause it to chew or pluck its feathers. The emotional temperature in the household plays a part as well. The bird won̵7;t react well to loud arguments or a hostile, tense atmosphere. Owners should strive to keep the household as calm as possible. They should also experiment with different locations for the cage because the parrot often feels more secure in some locations than in others.

    Other Ideas

    • Parrots may mutilate their feathers because they crave the rainforest climate that was once home to their species. They may enjoy a shower perch or being lightly sprayed with a water bottle. Owners should also ensure parrots get enough sleep each night by providing a dark room in which they can comfortably sleep. Parrots need approximately 10 to 12 hours of sleep and a consistent sleep schedule.