sbishop@desire.wright.edu (08/07/90)
Just a suggestion but perhaps the bird is lonely or bored. The only feather picking problem I had with my birds was my female canary after my male died. She pulled feathers and picked at herself for ages until I got another male. The parakeets I had didn't give her the type of company she craved.... Does your bird spend lots of time alone?
boris@tornado.Berkeley.EDU (Boris Chen) (08/17/90)
In article <873@cfiprod.UUCP> susans@cfiprod.UUCP (Susan Scheide -CFI-) writes: >In article <1990Aug6.231106.4279@agate.berkeley.edu> boris@ocf.berkeley.edu (Boris Chen) writes: >>My Cockatiel seems to have a skin problem. He is pulling out feathers. Also, > > Boris: > > You seem pretty sure his feather plucking is due to illness, > parasites, etc. Having read a bunch of articles on > neurotic feather plucking birds, I can suggest that since the > vet has ELIMINATED parasites as a diagnosis, your bird is > plucking out his own feathers due to some neurosis or just > plain old boredom. > > Is his cage very small? Did you recently move him from one > cage to a new one? If so, return him to the old cage right > away. It could be his new surroundings don't suit him. > Do you have a new roommate? Have you changed the location of > his cage? Taken away a favorite toy? Given him a new > toy that looks really fun to you? If so, return his old toy, > take away his new toy, move his cage back where it was, etc. Well, I have moved around a bit recently, so that may be a contributor to the problem, but it couldn't be helped. The cage is large enough, it is not small. He likes the toys he has. In fact, he seems to be really excited about the cereal box I gave him. He chews on it, he moves it around, he goes inside and whistles, etc. So I think he likes it. Though I plan on buying one of those anti-picking toys that some have suggested I get for him. > > Do you spend much time with him? As a student, you may be > so busy that you are not able to devote much time to him. > Cockatiels are generally very gregarious birds, and if he's > bored and/or lonely, he could be plucking his feathers out > of frustration. > > If you don't have enough time to devote to him, I suggest finding > someone who does. Don't make the mistake of running out and > buying him a "friend." If you don't have adequate time for > him (and I'm only guessing), you won't have adequate time > for two. I spend much time with him, since I have him in my room, and that is where I often study. Also, I am using my computer often, and my computer is also in my room. And while I am in my room, he is most probably out of his cage, romping about. > > Everything I have ever read tells me those bird sprays and > shampoos are never necessary or recommended by bird breeders. > I'm suprised the vet didn't tell you that. A bird should be > given the opportunity to bathe, or a light spritz with a > plant mister, in plain water several times a week. Nothing > else is necessary. Well, the more I think about it, the vet I went to was, pardon the expression, a quack. I have recieved some references to a quality vet, and I intend to visit him shortly. And also, he hates water for some reason, so given the opprotunity to bathe, he refuses. Thanks for your input. Any more is appreciated. /----------------------------------------------------------\ | Boris Chen || Berkeley, CA || boris@ocf.berkeley.edu | \----------------------------------------------------------/
mm@lectroid.sw.stratus.com (Mike Mahler) (08/17/90)
In article <1990Aug17.114953.599@agate.berkeley.edu>, boris@tornado.Berkeley.EDU (Boris Chen) writes: > Well, the more I think about it, the vet I went to was, > pardon the expression, a quack. Cute. I guess vets make better quacks than MD's? (;^}) > I have recieved some references to > a quality vet, and I intend to visit him shortly. Good job! When it comes to illness, you're better off taking advice from a good vet than what you read on some network. People often mean well, but you can't attempt to make a medical diagnosis over a tube and certainly without knowing the history, age, diet, weight, etc. of the patient (human or animal). With birds, even a slight weight gain (from something as innocuous as overfeeding) can cause changes in the bird's behavior (canaries will stop singing) or danger to it's life (egg binding, esp in cockatiels). Find a good vet and develope a good working relationship. You'll find most vets are more interested in your pet's welfare than your MD is about yours. Your legal recourse is much better too (if you need it).