Started Shredding/Plucking today

[Birblover]

My one Grey has a history of plucking. The first time was when I first brought her home (fixed with love and attention) and then again last year March which resulted in vet visits that didn't make a difference, but I never did figure out the cause. We just distracted her as best we could as she kept plucking regardless and slowed down after a month or two until she stopped (she was on antibiotics that another vet gave me and that my regular vet later said wasn't needed). She has been ok since even if she still has bald spots under her wings, but today she started again and just the same as last year March she will not be distracted for long but is very unlikely sick. I'm so confused, but I do remember last year the vet telling me she was also molting although they didn't say it was the problem then. Maybe because she hadn't shredded before then. My question is if the timing of almost a year later fits in with molting now (she is 9 btw) and if so how to get her to stop? Please any help you can give, she is very aggressive in her plucking and looks uncomfortable (not as much as last year, last year she wouldn't even eat). Also how do I know if she's molting? I don't see many signs, but some feathers have fallen out by themselves among the plucked. I also found four pulled pinned feathers in her tray. She is eating and otherwise ok.

 

[expressmailtome]

If she is molting, the feathers that you find would not have any flesh attached to them. While it is not always there when plucked, it is very frequently. Does she bathe regularly? The moisture is very helpful when a bird is molting.

 

[orphansparrow]

I might make sure you are giving her extra one on one time, and also possibly giving her/making her new toys. I think the one on one time is the most important. What is your daily routine? Maybe you could do some new and interesting things with her. This might redirect her from the plucking, and being more involved with you might ease some of whatever might be making her anxious.

From personal experience, (my bird is not a plucker, but a biter), whenever I notice she is more bitey than usual, I start making sure to give her more one on one time, and carry her around the house, show her new and interesting things, put her in her travel cage, and take her to the park, etc. After maybe one or two days, she'll slow her biting way down and responds really well to the extra attention. I think I would do the same with a plucker, because I do think that both might be an emotional issue. If that doesn't seem to help, I would take her to the vet again to see if there are any medical causes.

This is all just my best guess, it's hard to know. Hopefully someone here with more expertise will help you!

 

[Macawnutz]

The Basics of Feather Picking

 

[Birblover]

I'm very late in returning to this forum, but thank you all for your help! It took time, but she isn't plucking at the moment.
I will do more to help prevent it in future, so I am still very thankful for the advice and will need it still!
orphansparrow expressmailtome more baths, and more attention are indeed what she needed.