Introducing Pitchounette

[Wardy]

Nope, just a stray feather. Pin feathers are feathers that still have a hard, almost waxy like sheath covering on them. If Pitchy lets you, you can groom that coating off- it kinda pops/crunches/puffs off in small flakes and then the feather emerges. I know @Wardy Mojo had a few pin feathers coming in, we might be able to get you a couple pictures.

You can see the pin feathers on the top of Mojos head in these pictures.

 

[Shezbug]

Close up of pin feathers on a B&G...

 

[flyzipper]

Wardy's photos (and Shez') are very good illustrations, but here's the same thing on a darker conure to increase the contrast a little...

 

[FiatLux]

Ok y’all are so generous with your time....and I’m not ready! Those look like they hurt. I played pretend doctor for two weeks with my twin toddlers to get them prepared for vaccines; got doctor cases and had them give their stuffies shots. It worked; they got their shots like champs and said “we made it through two shots!” But how do I prepare a conure for pin feathers?! Do they hurt?

 

[FiatLux]

Ok just reread sparkles comment and zoomed in on the photo of Marvin —it’s not as bad as it initially looked to me. This parronting learning curve is no joke!

 

[Wardy]

Mojo is really iritated by them and spends a lot of time scratching and preening baths will help lessen the iritation.
She does like me gently rubbing her on the head again i think this offers some relief so grooming Pitchy will also help however sometimes Mojo doesnt want my hand anywhere near her head and will be quite vocal if this is the case so that is something to be mindfull off.

No need to prepare Pitchy instinct will take over and she will take care of them herself.

 

[Shezbug]

I generally only help with pins that Burt can’t get to himself which are pretty much only the pins on the top of his head. You need to make sure they are ready to be preened or they’ll hurt your little guy. My budgie won’t let me help and he rarely let his girlfriend help him either- he likes to vigorously rub his head on his branches to get his pins sorted out.

 

[flyzipper]

When a pin feather first emerges, and is growing, they're uncomfortable, and if we attempt to assist in preening them at that stage, it hurts (and you'll be told). I'd say the first photo in Shezbug's post shows that stage.

In the photo I posted (not Marvin... she enjoys being preened, so she never looks like that), it looks like many of the feathers have fully grown and the sheathing is starting to crumble on its own. It's very easy to preen at this stage, but the middle ground is where you'll end up with practice.

 

[FiatLux]

When a pin feather first emerges, and is growing, they're uncomfortable, and if we attempt to assist in preening them at that stage, it hurts (and you'll be told). I'd say the first photo in Shezbug's post shows that stage.

In the photo I posted (not Marvin... she enjoys being preened, so she never looks like that), it looks like many of the feathers have fully grown and the sheathing is starting to crumble on its own. It's very easy to preen at this stage, but the middle ground is where you'll end up with practice.

My apologies to Marvin and much appreciation to all of you for your patient explanations. Pitchy really enjoys having the top of her head rubbed so hopefully she’ll let me help her preen.

 

[Sparkles!]

Rare is it that my little queen bean gets a pin feather on her body that she hasn’t immediately taken care of. Her head and neck however, well she’s of the opinion that her slaves need to get those. And she’ll bully her way into your hand and plop her face right into your fingers in order for you to provide grooming service. Heaven help you if you’re on the phone or otherwise occupied, because then she bites to remind you that it’s possible (and required) to multi task.

 

[FiatLux]

Hey forum friends. Pitchy had had two orange poops. Is that just the carrots, red bell peppers and sweet potatoes mixed in her chop (with kale, broccolini and spinach) or should I be worried? Thank you.

 

[Wardy]

Hey forum friends. Pitchy had had two orange poops. Is that just the carrots, red bell peppers and sweet potatoes mixed in her chop (with kale, broccolini and spinach) or should I be worried? Thank you.

@Mizzely

 

[flyzipper]

Pitchy had had two orange poops. Is that just the carrots, red bell peppers and sweet potatoes

Highly likely you've identified the source.
It should return to normal when those foods completely pass, and less colourful items are eaten.
That's one of the reasons people aren't a fan of artificially dyed pellets... makes it more difficult to monitor poop for health issues.

 

[Shezbug]

Hey forum friends. Pitchy had had two orange poops. Is that just the carrots, red bell peppers and sweet potatoes mixed in her chop (with kale, broccolini and spinach) or should I be worried? Thank you.

Sounds like food. We like to notice different poops and keep a check on them but only really start worrying if the odd poops go on for a day or more. We will often get a poop that’s iffy or a surprising colour as a once off but it’s often due to foods just eaten.

 

[Sparkles!]

Mostly it’s just like being a mom to human kiddos. If you notice colored stools, think back to what they could have eaten- including weird things. I just purchased some colored wood toys in the SWS, and sure enough there have been some funny colors around the cages. I look for changes in stool quantity and viscosity more than I look for color.

 

[FiatLux]

@JLcribber look who’s getting used to her beautiful tree
I moved it downstairs and let her on it while the dogs are upstairs in my room.
should I add toys?

 

[Sparkles!]

Of course add toys!
She looks fab!

 

[Sparkles!]

Are those test tubes on the wall? At first I thought it was a rain gauge, but that’s your kitchen. And you probably have a roof?

 

[FiatLux]

Of course add toys!
She looks fab!

Why am I not surprised? I feel like Queen Bean would have a bedazzle set for her toys if it were safe.
pitchy has taken to preening my many, many beauty spots and freckles on my hands and arms and sometimes misgauges! I now have many brown spots and a few red ones...

 

[FiatLux]

Are those test tubes on the wall? At first I thought it was a rain gauge, but that’s your kitchen. And you probably have a roof?

Lol! Sharp eye! They are plant propagation tubes but they had non parrot approved plants in them. I’m adding one back in just to show you and will replace with parrot edibles from the garden tmo