Theblueshrew
07-01-2006, 03:31 PM
Hi, We have had a male cockatiel for about 6 years now, He was always such a beautiful bird, and I was always home all day with him and with him after school, I got a job a couple of years ago, and he started to pull his neck feathers, slowly, until his neck was completly bare, we tried for a long time to get him to quit, a few people said he was upset about being alone more since I was not home as much, well that has been 2 and a half years, and his neck is still bare, feathers keep trying to grow in, we usually just ignore it cause we dont know what to do, It must be a habit now cause he couldnt still be upset about being alone more, he still pulls them out, he doesnt pull out feathers anywhere else, just his neck, and a small part of his wings. Well, I cant take it anymore and We have exhausted every effort to get him to stop, and he wont, even with tons of attention. I want to fix it once and for all and have the my beautiful bird back. Please help. We are lost
Jerica
07-09-2006, 12:42 PM
Have you considered getting him another male cockatiel for a friend? Maybe that will make him feel better so he's not alone so much, I don't know, just an idea, I know there are people on here who have dealt with this so I'm sure they can help. Good luck. sorry about your situation.
Jonergin
07-09-2006, 02:24 PM
Birds who pluck their feathers become somewhat obsessed with it over time. It is believed that they get addicted to the endorphins their body produces when they pull a feather out. Because of this it is often quite an ordeal to get them to stop.
Have you tried providing him with preening-type toys? He might just be bored out of his mind while you're gone and needs something to do. Some pet stores sell sterilized peacock plumes that clip onto the cage. Lots of birds seem to like them.
Have you tried the sour apple sprays? You can spray (carefully) or apply it with your fingers to the plucked area. This makes it taste terrible but you have to remember to apply it daily.
Getting him a friend is probably not the best answer. If they're in the same cage he'll most likely end up plucking his new friend too. The answer comes from you, your attention and your care. Another friend cannot provide him with as much as you can, especially if your affection is split between two birds instead of one.