Help! My 4 yr old female grey all of a sudden started pulling out feathers this past Sunday and has continued since then for the last 4 days. Saw an avian vet yesterday who examined her and asked a million questions about diet and behaviors. Suffice to say vet said Tillie appeared very healthy. Vet made diet suggestions, toy suggestions, e-collar, gabapentin temporarily prescribed for anxiety. I can try all of this but I just don't understand why all of a bum sudden it began!
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Plucking
- Thread starter lisaupdaw
- Start date
flwindsurf
Strolling the yard
- Joined
- 2/10/24
- Messages
- 128
- Real Name
- Bill
It's my understanding Grey's become adults at 3-5 years old. Since your vet says she's healthy it may be due to her age/maturity transition period. I ask you post any lessons learned as you two work through this issue. I have a one year old female grey and anything you learn may make me a smarter Grey owner.
It's most likely hormones. Not much you can do other than keep her busy as much as possible. Change toys & offer a lot of chewing materials. No petting below the head & limit that for now. Our CAG is 25 years old & over the last 2 years or so has nipped off a lot of her feathers. Make sure your inside humidity is also in the 35-40% range. Dry air can also make them itchy. Offer a weekly shower if possible.
I will make sure to keep you posted. As I said in my first post, I went to the Avian Vet last Wednesday. Tillie continued to pluck for the next day and then as of Friday NO plucking... There has been no plucking in the last 3 days. I did order a frilly e collar for her and an aloe vera spritzer that had a good review from a few folks on this forum. As it appears now, I may not need the collar which would be absolutely wonderful! I have been misting her daily very lightly.
I sure hope it's hormones. Tillie has not plucked at all in the last 3 days! She never stopped being her usual feisty self throughout the plucking and now. I ordered her an e collar which hopefully I will never have to use. I also ordered some Aloe Vera spritzer and I will use that regularly. Yes, I am aware of the humidity issue although not sure exactly how to control that when she is in an extra bedroom in my house not in any kind of aviary.
