- Joined
- 10/6/15
- Messages
- 176
In April, I rescued a sweet, 3-year-old male lovebird, Papaya. He had a severe URI, bald neck, and barbered wing. The vet prescribed antibiotics for the URI, and was unconcerned about the plucking because she felt that it was a reaction to molting and a vitamin A deficiency.
The URI has cleared up and he has been converted to Harrison's pellets, supplemented with omega-balanced bird bread and red palm oil. He is offered fresh vegetables, but has yet to take interest. He plucks pinfeathers from his neck when they grow to about half length. The vet still believes he'll stop once the vitamin deficiency is cleared up. The barbering of his left wing has been restricted to the upper wing coverts and is not severe.
I got Papaya as a companion for my other lovie, Peaches, who lost his best friend in March. Papaya didn't have much experience with birds, so we took it very slow until he got comfortable with Peaches. They still aren't bonded, but they get along enough to share toys and bathe together, so I moved Papaya into the bird room 5 days ago. They are uncaged during the day and get along, even though Papaya still prefers human company.
Here's the issue: yesterday, I noticed 2 large left wing coverts on the floor of Papaya's cage. Today, I found 3 more left wing coverts and 2 left primary flight feathers. No blood. Is this normal molting or plucking? Should he go back to the vet? Move him back to a separate room?
The URI has cleared up and he has been converted to Harrison's pellets, supplemented with omega-balanced bird bread and red palm oil. He is offered fresh vegetables, but has yet to take interest. He plucks pinfeathers from his neck when they grow to about half length. The vet still believes he'll stop once the vitamin deficiency is cleared up. The barbering of his left wing has been restricted to the upper wing coverts and is not severe.
I got Papaya as a companion for my other lovie, Peaches, who lost his best friend in March. Papaya didn't have much experience with birds, so we took it very slow until he got comfortable with Peaches. They still aren't bonded, but they get along enough to share toys and bathe together, so I moved Papaya into the bird room 5 days ago. They are uncaged during the day and get along, even though Papaya still prefers human company.
Here's the issue: yesterday, I noticed 2 large left wing coverts on the floor of Papaya's cage. Today, I found 3 more left wing coverts and 2 left primary flight feathers. No blood. Is this normal molting or plucking? Should he go back to the vet? Move him back to a separate room?