I hurt my bird! :-(

[CrazyBirdChick]

Yesterday I was trying to help Blu with some pinnies and I squeezed one and s/he squaked at me. I didn't think much of it until this morning, when I tried to do it again and noticed a red little fresh scab forming there.

I tried to get a picture but I can't get it right now. Plus I don't want to mess with it too much.

I called the vet and we have an appointment on Thursday morning. But I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about these things, and if there's anything I can do in the meantime? I feel horrible!

 

[Diesel13]

You probably pulled a blood feather. I've done it a few times when preening Diesel. Sadly our bumbling fingers are nowhere as good at preening as those meticulous beaks are, but the birds still appreciate us getting the pinnies they can't reach.

I never took Diesel to the vet after it happened because it was never anything serious. Yes, at times there was a bit of blood but as long as it scabed over and didn't keep bleeding I deemed it fine. If taking Blue to the vet will give you peace of mind, go ahead, but in my opinion it may be a bit overkill. Kind of like taking your child to the doctor if they fall and scrape up their knee.

For future preening sessions I'd recommend gently putting pressure on the pin feathers and if Blue jerks a little or protests then you know it's not ready to be preened yet. That way you don't accidentally pull a blood feather.

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

Thanks so much, Miranda! I was going to get Blu a first check up anyway so we needed to go, but I feel much better knowing I'm not the only one who's ever done that, and that it's not a huge deal.

Thank you!!!

 

[Heather F]

A pinfeather that is ready to go will look kind of stiff and waxy/crispy at its end, and it will flake away easily if you pinch it gently between your fingernails. And you only want to go for the flaky bit at the end because it may still be growing further down. It takes a while to really master the art of helping them with their pinfeathers. You may have gone a bit to far up the shaft and nicked the part that was still growing.

As long as he isn't actually bleeding he'll be fine.

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

Thank you, Heather! I'm a little afraid to help preen after this but I will definitely keep that tip in mind for when I work up the courage to help next time.

I appreciate it!

 

[Chopper]

Pinnies - every bird who lives alone in a cage has them. Giving her/him a shower helps.

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

Blu's been pretty good about wanting baths. I'd say s/he voluntarily takes one atleaat 4 days a week. I've never tried a shower though.

Before I noticed the scab today Blu took a quick bath but hopped out right away. I wonder if the water was irritating since it is a fresh wound?

 

[Chopper]

It could be. We probably will never know since they don't tell us.

 

[camelotshadow]

Sorry, but he/she should be OK. Not a trip to the vet injury but if they have not had their wellness exam yet its a good time to get a health baseline.

 

[Dartman]

I've done it before, they scream and maybe bite but never seems to cause any damage except them getting upset and me feeling bad. I try to gently squeeze and work them and they usually will growl if I hit a bad spot if they trust me and I back off. Nerd was there, Lurch was there, Dobby sometimes allows it and will actively request scritches from my sister, his chosen one.

 

[CrazyBirdChick]

I'm happy to report that I don't think Blu is traumatized by the whole ordeal cause s/he wanted me to help preen by rotating the head all around my fingers but I was afraid to bump the scab or hurt another blood feather so I just lightly pet his/her head.
(I can't wait to finally get a dna test so I could stop saying s/he, him/her! )

 

[SpecialistElbru]

That is one good thing about cockatoos, the head feathers are nice and large so that cracking the new feathers is much easier. Also when there is pink at the base of the feather it is easy to see in white feather.

 

[zoo mom]