My parrot has started pulling out his own feathers, especially on his chest. He's never done this before, and I don't know what's causing it.

{"value":"Yes, there have been a couple of changes. As I mentioned, my husband is home more. Also, about three weeks ago, I switched his primary food from a seed mix to a pelleted diet, as recommended by the vet to help with his weight. He's been eating the pellets, but he does seem to miss his seeds and sometimes tries to pick through them to find any stray ones. I've also been trying to give him more fresh fruits and vegetables, which he's generally enjoying."}

{"value":"I've looked very closely at his chest, and I don't see any obvious redness, swelling, or open sores. The skin looks normal, but there are definitely bald patches where the feathers have been pulled out. It's not bleeding, and he doesn't seem to be scratching at it excessively, but the feather loss is quite noticeable."}

{"value":"Not really. We haven't had any new people or pets in the house. However, my husband has been working from home more frequently over the past month, which means Pip has had more human interaction during the day. He also seems to be a bit more vocal and demanding of attention when my husband is around, which is a slight change from his usual routine when my husband was out of the house more often."}

{"value":"Pip's cage is a large, spacious wire cage, about 30 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 40 inches tall. He has several perches of varying diameters and textures, including natural wood branches and some rope perches. He has a variety of toys, mostly foraging toys and some shreddable ones made of paper and wood. I rotate his toys regularly to keep him stimulated. He doesn't have bedding; the cage bottom has a removable tray with newspaper, which I change daily."}

{"value":"Yes, my parrot, a Quaker parrot named Pip, had a veterinary check-up about two months ago. The vet said he was in excellent health, with no signs of parasites or underlying medical conditions. He was up-to-date on all his vaccinations. The vet did mention he was a little overweight, and we discussed adjusting his diet, which we've been trying to do."}

Have there been any recent changes in your parrot's diet, environment, or routine?

{"value":"Yes, there have been a couple of changes. As I mentioned, my husband is home more. Also, about three weeks ago, I switched his primary food from a seed mix to a pelleted diet, as recommended by the vet to help with his weight. He's been eating the pellets, but he does seem to miss his seeds and sometimes tries to pick through them to find any stray ones. I've also been trying to give him more fresh fruits and vegetables, which he's generally enjoying."}

Are there any visible signs of skin irritation, redness, or lesions on the parrot's chest?

{"value":"I've looked very closely at his chest, and I don't see any obvious redness, swelling, or open sores. The skin looks normal, but there are definitely bald patches where the feathers have been pulled out. It's not bleeding, and he doesn't seem to be scratching at it excessively, but the feather loss is quite noticeable."}

Has the parrot been exposed to any new people, pets, or potential stressors in its environment?

{"value":"Not really. We haven't had any new people or pets in the house. However, my husband has been working from home more frequently over the past month, which means Pip has had more human interaction during the day. He also seems to be a bit more vocal and demanding of attention when my husband is around, which is a slight change from his usual routine when my husband was out of the house more often."}

What is the current cage setup, including perches, toys, and bedding?

{"value":"Pip's cage is a large, spacious wire cage, about 30 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 40 inches tall. He has several perches of varying diameters and textures, including natural wood branches and some rope perches. He has a variety of toys, mostly foraging toys and some shreddable ones made of paper and wood. I rotate his toys regularly to keep him stimulated. He doesn't have bedding; the cage bottom has a removable tray with newspaper, which I change daily."}

Has the parrot had a recent veterinary check-up, and if so, what were the findings?

{"value":"Yes, my parrot, a Quaker parrot named Pip, had a veterinary check-up about two months ago. The vet said he was in excellent health, with no signs of parasites or underlying medical conditions. He was up-to-date on all his vaccinations. The vet did mention he was a little overweight, and we discussed adjusting his diet, which we've been trying to do."}

Bird Feather Plucking Behavior | Советник | RU

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Veterinary Dermatological Examination

95%Official

Seek immediate veterinary attention for a thorough examination of the skin and feathers to diagnose any underlying medical conditions.

🤖 AI Analysis

"Feather plucking can have underlying medical causes, and while the vet check-up was recent, a specific dermatological examination is crucial to rule out subtle issues not detected in a general check-up, especially since the user has ruled out obvious external parasites. The lack of visible skin irritation doesn't entirely exclude a dermatological issue."

💡

Stressor Identification and Mitigation

90%Official

Identify and minimize any specific stressors in the parrot's environment, such as loud noises or perceived threats.

🤖 AI Analysis

"The user mentioned increased human interaction due to the husband working from home, and the parrot becoming more vocal and demanding. This suggests a potential stressor related to changes in routine and attention levels, which could be contributing to the feather plucking."

💡

Dietary Review and Adjustment

85%Official

Consult an avian veterinarian to assess the current diet and recommend a balanced, species-appropriate diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

🤖 AI Analysis

"The user recently switched the parrot's diet from seeds to pellets to address weight issues. While the vet recommended it, dietary changes can sometimes lead to deficiencies or imbalances, or even stress if the parrot is not fully adapting. A review is warranted to ensure nutritional adequacy and palatability."

💡

Routine Stability

80%Official

Maintain a consistent daily schedule for feeding, interaction, and sleep to reduce anxiety.

🤖 AI Analysis

"The increased presence of the husband at home represents a change in routine. Establishing a stable and predictable daily schedule can help reduce anxiety and potential stress for the parrot, which are common triggers for feather plucking."

💡

Increased Interaction and Training

75%Official

Dedicate more quality time for interaction, training, and play with the parrot daily.

🤖 AI Analysis

"The parrot is showing increased vocalization and demanding attention when the husband is home. This suggests a need for more structured and positive interaction. Increased quality time and training can help redirect the parrot's energy and fulfill its social needs, potentially reducing anxiety-driven plucking."

💡

Foraging and Puzzle Toys

70%Official

Introduce more challenging foraging toys that require problem-solving to keep the parrot engaged and mentally occupied.

🤖 AI Analysis

"The user already provides foraging and shreddable toys and rotates them. However, introducing *more challenging* foraging toys could further enhance mental stimulation and provide an outlet for the parrot's energy and potential boredom, which can contribute to feather plucking."

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Environmental Enrichment

65%Official

Provide a variety of new toys, foraging opportunities, and rotate them regularly to keep the parrot mentally stimulated.

🤖 AI Analysis

"While the user rotates toys, the problem of feather plucking is ongoing. Enhancing environmental enrichment with a wider variety of novel toys and foraging opportunities can help keep the parrot more engaged and less prone to developing obsessive behaviors like feather plucking."

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Supplementation (Under Vet Guidance)

50%Official

If a deficiency is identified, the vet may recommend specific supplements to address the nutritional gap.

🤖 AI Analysis

"Supplementation is a possibility if a deficiency is identified. However, this is a secondary consideration after ruling out medical issues, behavioral stressors, and ensuring the current diet is appropriate and balanced. The vet check-up didn't indicate any obvious deficiencies."

💡

Medicated Baths or Topical Treatments

30%Official

If an infection or irritation is found, the vet will prescribe appropriate treatments such as medicated baths or topical ointments.

🤖 AI Analysis

"Medicated baths or topical treatments are only relevant if an infection or irritation is found. The user has explicitly stated they do not see any signs of redness, swelling, or open sores, making this solution less immediately applicable without further veterinary diagnosis."

Bird Feather Plucking Behavior

AI Analysis Summary

Описание проблемы

Вопросы

Have there been any recent changes in your parrot's diet, environment, or routine? (ID: 514)

Are there any visible signs of skin irritation, redness, or lesions on the parrot's chest? (ID: 515)

Has the parrot been exposed to any new people, pets, or potential stressors in its environment? (ID: 516)

What is the current cage setup, including perches, toys, and bedding? (ID: 517)

Has the parrot had a recent veterinary check-up, and if so, what were the findings? (ID: 518)

Выявленные причины

Environmental Stressors

Nutritional Deficiencies or Imbalances

Skin Irritation or Infection

Behavioral Issues (Boredom/Attention Seeking)

Рекомендуемые решения:

Veterinary Dermatological Examination

Stressor Identification and Mitigation

Dietary Review and Adjustment

Routine Stability

Increased Interaction and Training

Foraging and Puzzle Toys

Environmental Enrichment

Supplementation (Under Vet Guidance)

Medicated Baths or Topical Treatments

Авторитетные ресурсы

Bird Feather Plucking: What to Know | Best Friends Animal Society

Please help!! My birdie won't stop picking his feathers. : r/parrots

My birds plucking his feathers. What should I do? : r/BirdHealth

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