How To Stop Your Bird From Plucking

How To Stop Your Bird From Plucking

While all birds preen, birds kept in captivity can take this grooming behavior to the next level and begin to obsessively pluck their feathers. Feather plucking is, in fact, the leading reason why birds are brought into the vet. What can start out as simple over-preening can turn into grotesque self-mutilation.

---

Step 1:

Feather Plucking

All birds, wild or domestic, preen themselves. Birds preen themselves by cleaning and straightening their feathers. Unfortunately, in captive birds this behavior can become obsessive and lead to feather plucking. Feather plucking is one of the leading reasons pet birds are brought to the veterinarian. The condition can range from simple over-preening to self-mutilation.

---

Step 2:

Feather Picking

The first thing that should be done is a sound physical exam, biochemical screening, the whole bit. One of the reasons your bird might be feather-picking, they can’t fly and it is stressful. That is why you should consider a bird that is perfect for the environment that you live in. If you live in a small apartment, consider a small bird, and don’t clip their wings. Let them fly freely once in awhile.

---

Step 3:

Feather Plucking Prevention

Here’s some feather plucking prevention tips. Take your bird to the vet. Your vet can determine if the feather plucking is a result of a medical condition. Try changing the bird’s environment. Move the cage to a quieter, less stressful part of the house.

Also, make sure they have toys to play with to keep them from getting bored. It’s behaviors, it’s practices that get the bird interested in things other than themselves. So, toys that they can dismantle; sometimes the best toys are the simplest toys, a piece of cardboard that they can destroy.

Feather plucking birds will sometimes take out their frustrations on other birds around the home. If you have one bird who likes to pick at the other, try to keep them separated. You’ll keep everyone’s feathers from getting ruffled.