Pictures Alexandrine Feather problem

[Kashraf72]

Hi
I have a 5 year old male Alexandrine (Indian Ringneck with red patches on wings) parrot who is perfectly healthy. Since the last couple of months his feathers are not how they used to be. They have become hairy at the tips and have also lost shine. I love him to bits but I also get a lil irresponsible when I pamper him too much and give him things to eat that I shouldn’t. For example he loves drinking coke and loves eating a buttered bread slice in the morning. He also loves bone marrow from a cooked chicken leg. There are no specialist avian vets here. Thats why wanted to ask if this unhealthy diet is the reason for spoiled feathers. He eats other regular stuff as well on a daily basis e.g sun flower seeds, apple and mango pulp, spinach leaves, watermelon and any other seasonal fruits & veggies. Will really appreciate expert advice as my bird don’t have access to a specialist avian vet. Thanks

 

[Mizzely]

Poor diet absolutely can create issues with their feathers, and poor feather quality can be indication that they are not "absolutely healthy".

It does look like some of this is also feather destructive behavior, from over preening and possibly barbering.

The oils on our hands can also contribute to poor feather quality if you pet those areas often.

Caffeine should never be given to birds; it can cause heart issues. Marrow is almost all fat, as is butter, and animal proteins/fats have been shown to increase the risk of atherosclerosis.