FEATHER CHEWING

[pearllyn]

Hi all,
Haven't been on for a while (sorry), been pretty busy, but now a wee problem has popped up and we could do with some advise.
3 days ago we came home after doing the shopping and Alf was playing with one of his (unattached)tail feathers. Another 3 or 4 were still attached but chewed near the root. he has since removed these chewed ones by chewing them off rather than plucking them out. Then when we came in today, there is now a damaged feather on his wing that looks the same as the tail ones were.
Nothing in his routine or diet has changed, and he doesn't seem stressed at all.
One small change in his behaviour that he initiated himself, is his use of his birdy bunk - while he has used it for playing since i put it in there, he has never slept in it, up untill a few days ago, and now he curls up in there every night. the feather chewing started shortly after.
He hasn't touched any of his other tail feathers now that the damaged ones are out.
I have a few theories of my own, but really, I'm such a parrot newbie, that I'm not sure just how alarming this could be.
One thought I had was that he had fallen off of his perch (happens occasionally) and damaged the feathers that way, then removed them himself.
The second is that he does have new tail feathers coming through at the minute, and I thought maybe that was uncomfortable for him, and he's chewing at the site of discomfort, much like a dog would chew at a wound.
Another, more unsettling thought I had was that he is simply unhappy. we are home most of the time, he has a huge cage filled with toys, I always hide some treats when we go out, but it's maybe not enough.
One other thing that crossed my mind is that he is mayber a she - we never had him sexed - and that maybe she is starting to nest. How old are they when they start laying eggs? Alf is just over 6 months.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Lyn.

[lovemyGreys]

Lyn at this point in time you can safely rule out the egg laying theory,he/she is far too young.
If he/she has just started to use the birdy bunk & the feather chewing started round about that time then i would say the two are linked, is he/she sleeping throuhout the night in this ?incorrect perching may be the cause of this.Is it possible to remove the birdy bunk & observe if there is any change/improvment in the chewing ?

[Talon]

Hi Lyn, MY notion is #2. He or she is too young to want to nest. My tag has a birdie bunk that she LOVES. She has slept in it for the past 2 1/2 years. I don't think that's the problem. Perhaps watching her or he will give you the answer you are looking for. Try to rule out the others. I'm sure others have netter advice than I. :blink:

[lovemyGreys]

Ok bang goes my theory :laugh: Hey what do i know :S inch:

Lyn have a look at this article i found..

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww4eii.htm

[lovemyGreys]

Lyn here is a previous thread on chewing..

http://www.greyforums.net/forums/african-grey/8824-feather-chewing.html#8898

[pearllyn]

Thanks to you all for the thoughts and advise. The problem is persisting, so will try taking out the birdie bunk (which i'm a little reluctant to do, as he seems to love it), but do very much want whats best for him. If still no change, I guess it'll be a trip to the vets hmy: to check to see if he's deficient in any way.
Another unexpected problem thats popped up is a few hospital visits over the next few weeks due to ill health - it never rains but it pours, eh!
Will do my best and keep you posted.
Thanks again.
Lyn.
x

[lovemyGreys]

sorry to hear that Lyn,you take care of yourself too

Yes perhaps a vets visit would be in order to rule out any health issues

[pearllyn]

Thanx for that.
Sorry I didn't reply sooner - it's been a bit mad here.
I have an appointment at the vets for tomorrow, so will let you know how we come on - I found some mites in Alfies feed and suspect that is the culprit for the feather chewing, hopefully we will get to the bottom of it tomorrow.
The chewing hasn't been consistent by any means, coming and going, so it's a bit baffling.
Will keep you all posted.
Thanks again to all who offered advice.
x

[judygram]

Lyn, I am sorry to hear of your health problems and yes it does seem to pour when it rains but I hope you get thru this just fine, I will keep you in my thoughts.

Glad to hear you have made an appointment with the vet to rule out any physical reason for the chewing but in any case keep us posted as we care.

[Suzzique]

Once you rule out health problems, can the bunk be washed? It is posible that there was something on it that is iritating Alf's skin. It could also be something to do with the mites you found in his food. I hope everyone is better soon!