This page, I am dedicating to all of the bald and naked birds that have come through our doors. These guys need love too!!! I think they are cute despite their nakedness and I LOVE MY PLUCKERS!
I Love My Pluckers
Birds can pluck for a number of reasons. All of the birds shown above were surrendered in the condition they were in.
Plucking can be caused by, stress, poor diet, boredom, frustration, anger, fear, mites, lack of toys, lack of attention, habit, breeding season (in the wild, birds line the nest with their feathers) and sexual frustration. Sometimes there are deeper emotional, and/or psychological trauma causing this behavior.
I like to provide a lot of foraging toys as well as enrichment items to keep their beaks occupied. You can visit the "Beaks of Mass Destruction" page for more information about birds and their chewing habits.
I have even used some anti feather picking sprays that have worked wonders for me.
Also, you can put a feather duster in the cage for the birds to preen instead of picking their own feathers.
For birds who pluck out of boredom, toys and out of cage time as well as lots of attention should be offered. Provide lots of things to chew, keep those beaks busy!!!
Birds need to be bathed frequently. Frequent bathing can sometimes help plucking behaviors. This will make the skin where they are plucking less dry and irritated. Never bathe in the evening and make sure your bird is placed in a warm area after bathing. Never bathe a sick bird!
Beaks of Mass Destruction