Feather Picking (Page 3)
If every aspect of nutrition was to be covered in regards to a healthy bird this would turn into a rather lengthy book. Instead, we are only covering dietary habits relative to feather picking. Other workers have shown that the amount of protein in the diet can have a direct influence on the progression of the moult.1 One some occasions, increasing the amount of protein in the diet to 9% has stopped feather picking as well as abnormal moulting.1 Although not a problem with most knowledgeable aviculturists, appropriate fresh vitamins should be available. Petrak mentions that the addition of 2% salt to an all-mash diet or 4% to a mash with grain diet for a few days has sometimes stopped feather picking.1
Behavioral causes of feather picking run the gamut from the commonplace boredom to some very subtle disturbances. While boredom is not frequently a problem at the home or aviary of most of our readers, this may well be a problem in birds sold to private homes. The most dramatic case this writer can recall was a massive, wonderfully feathered and colored scarlet macaw sold from a department store. This fellow was accustomed to the hustle and bustle associated with the seven day a week activities centered around the pet center/garden display. Eventually sold to a good home with plenty of wholesome food and a basically sound environment, the new owners devoted a great deal of time trying to teach their friend some choice phrases. This could hardly compare to the commotion of hundreds of passers-by and dozens of interested spectators. Soon we were presented with a reasonably healthy but denuded bird. New toys and a relocation to an area providing a view of a busy street corner eventually relieved this case of avian ennui. One of our last cases of behavior-induced feather picking turned out to be a cockatiel who felt neglected when the owner forgot to give the customary greeting immediately upon returning home from work. An Elizabethan collar was removed two days after renewed interest was given the bird and no further problems have been seen since.
By way of summary, we can pass along a comment handed down from an avian practitioner in the Midwest. He professed that he had never seen a bird cured of feather picking. Fortunately, our experience has not been so dismal but the statement does point out that there is no overnight miracle cure. Sometimes countless combinations must be tried and a few collars need replacing. We suggest you seek the assistance of your veterinarian in the diagnosis and treatment of the specific problems you face.
1Petrak, p. 160. Diseases of Cage and Aviary Birds, Lea & Febiger |
