Help feather question

[TeresaG]

Hi I have a 16 year old TAG always super healthy. Recently his feathers have suddenly taken a turn for the worst. Of note my poor husband is terminally ill and not doing well. He’s about to the end of his journey and he is my TAGs favorite human. They bonded while we were dating and Peeper became his bird lol. I included some photos. It’s like the feathers along his back are just splintering and the ends of most of the feathers are like broken off or chewed up looking. Is this from his chewing on them or from not keeping up with preening? He is not preening like normal because he used to preen next to my husband and now they can’t do that activity anymore. Is it anxiety from what’s coming? How can I help him with his grief if it’s just a grief reaction?

 

[TeresaG]

I should add he’s never ever been a plucker or feather mutilator and isn’t doing so now. I never see him chewing on the ends of the feathers only normal preening behavior just not preening as much as normal but no plucking at himself. It seems to be something else doing it. His food hasn’t changed. I feed him quality pellets and nuts and rotating fresh foods of all kinds human stuff I eat. Veggies fruits etc. so nothing new diet wise.

 

[Mizzely]

It definitely looks like he is chewing the feathers. They can be pretty sensitive to our emotions and he likely knows more about what's going on than we think. I imagine the two things are connected. So sorry for both of you!

 

[TeresaG]

It definitely looks like he is chewing the feathers. They can be pretty sensitive to our emotions and he likely knows more about what's going on than we think. I imagine the two things are connected. So sorry for both of you!

Thanks so much. Yeah he’s a sensitive soul so I thought maybe this was it

 

[April]

So sorry to hear that you both are going through this. @Shannan

 

[Shannan]

My Gray was very sensitive and like @Mizzely said, he likely knows a whole lot more than we think. I really talked to him and told him exactly what was going on, like you would explain to a two year old. Explain to him what is going on and that he needs to be strong. Also try to keep his schedule consistent during this turbulent time but introduce new routines that might be necessary in the future. Try to see if you can find something that he enjoys and perhaps give him some toys that tailor to preening. Keep him occupied with calm, thinking activities which engage his mind without stressing him out. My Walter really enjoyed watching tv and listening to music. Walter also liked being where he could see what was going on. If that sounds like your guy be sure to have him around, in the center of activity as much as possible. I am truly sorry for all you are going through. Hopefully your guy will understand and will adjust.

 

[TeresaG]

So sorry to hear that you both are going through this. @Shannan

Thank you it’s been a long tough road for all of us

 

[TeresaG]

My Gray was very sensitive and like @Mizzely said, he likely knows a whole lot more than we think. I really talked to him and told him exactly what was going on, like you would explain to a two year old. Explain to him what is going on and that he needs to be strong. Also try to keep his schedule consistent during this turbulent time but introduce new routines that might be necessary in the future. Try to see if you can find something that he enjoys and perhaps give him some toys that tailor to preening. Keep him occupied with calm, thinking activities which engage his mind without stressing him out. My Walter really enjoyed watching tv and listening to music. Walter also liked being where he could see what was going on. If that sounds like your guy be sure to have him around, in the center of activity as much as possible. I am truly sorry for all you are going through. Hopefully your guy will understand and will adjust.

Thank you. Yeah I moved his cage into our room because that’s where my husband is so we’re all in here now dogs included. I peeper has been calling and calling when he was in the other room so I had to den us all up together where he can see him. I think that’s helped some.

 

[Tyrion]

So sorry your having to go through this

 

[TeresaG]

So sorry your having to go through this

Thank you. It’s been a hard time