Timmy Pulling out feathers??

[marktweettweet]

Hi,

just wondering if anyone can help!

I've had Timmy for bout 18 months and never had no problems with him.

For the last couple of days i have notice he's started pulling his feathers out, not just the small ones but the big ones as oer the pictures.

He comes out every day and has a friend so isnt lonely.

I dont know if it could be due to the fire works, but there weren't that many, plus i turned the telly up, closed the curtains etc . . . .

Also, i've made his cage smaller as per the pic but i don't think it's too small, what do you think?

I've given him a shower and the girlfriends gone to get him some "spot on".

He seems happy all in all, hes talking and stuff so i don't know whats wrong.

if any one can give me advice, the vet want £30 to look at him but im not sure theres any thing major wrong i can't sort my self?? hmmm

Thankyou!

[Marianne Marlow]

Hi Mark and welcome.

Can you post a photo of Timmy?

Thanks

Marianne

[marktweettweet]

[marktweettweet]

[BudgiesBuddy]

Hi Mark and welcome

Are you sure that it is not molt?

[marktweettweet]

Thats what i thought, but hes pulling the big ones, see above where there are 3 white feathers on the right, he pulled the 3 from the left out. Maybe its just me being over cautous, just dont want him to lose his feathers and not be able to fly

[marktweettweet]

Been and got him some spray to stop him pulling at them, i think it just makes them taste bad, they didn't have no "spot on" so gona pick him some up tomorrow. he's been out for about 6 hours today to try and cheer him up a bit. I'll see if what he's like tomorrow, if he pulls any more tail feathers out, i'll take him to the vets.

[stace]

Budgies don't feather pluck like the other parrots. If it's not just a normal moult, could it be something irritating him, like mites perhaps?

[Hezz]

The large feathers do moult out Mark. I think sometimes with a feather about to drop, that it irritates the bird and so they give it a "helping hand" so to speak. Mine have been known to drop both long tail feathers around the same time and end up looking stumpy. Also how can you know that he is pulling them out rather than them dropping while he is preening?

[Marianne Marlow]

Do the feathers have blood on the ends (quill tips) or not?

[marktweettweet]

Hi,

Thanks for all the comments,

No, theres no blood on the feathers, i was just concerened because it seems to be one side that has come out and not the other. Also, theres no spikes of new feathers, which usually when they moult they are full of them.

I've given both of them a dose of ivermectin (Spot on), hopefully that will help if it is mites or anything.

He just seems really queite compared to normal, usually i can't leave a room without distracting him and running off, now it seems he just can't be bothered unless i go and get him.

Hopefully he will perk up tomorrow, does anyone think i may have made the cage to small, could that have an effect?

Cheers

On the old forum, i could get on at work, this forum the fire wall dosn't seem to like it, thats why it's taken so long to reply, i will get back to any comments but will prob be after 6pm.

Thanks again!

[Hezz]

You will probably find the new pin feathers start to appear soon. If this is a moult, and I for one am not convinced it isn't, then he will be inclined to be grumpy and irritable. It takes a lot to grow feathers, perhaps add a bit of egg-food to his diet. This will give him some needed protein to help with feather-production.

[marktweettweet]

thanks for the advice, I've also read the sticky, going to pick some egg food up from the pet shop, dies this get mixed with the seed ( in what ratio) or shall I put it in a seperate tub?

[Hezz]

A separate tub. That way, after a few hours you can throw it out, without throwing out all your seed too. Some birds will eat it dry sprinkled over their seed, and that can be left, but once you moisten it, you need to be careful with how long you keep it. Bugs (bacteria) need moisture to grow, so leaving the wet stuff in the cage just encourages germs to multiply.

[BudgiesBuddy]

It is a good trick to mix their favorite food with the new food for a few days so they become familiar with the new food.

Anyhow, Hezz is right about moisture causing bacteria.