Do bitter sprays work for plucking?

[Woozle]

Hi!  I have an African Grey and an Amazon (yellow crowned), and they live together in cages side by side.  I'm not sure if the Grey's dander has an effect on the Amazon, but he (Amazon) likes to lick and suck his feathers so that they have started to turn from green to black.  He looks scruffy and I find this upsetting.  He's not pulling his feathers out, but over-preening them.  Does anyone know of a spray that works which would stop him doing this?  Both birds have TONS of toys, lots of cuddles and time out.

African Grey is a very messy, active and destructive bird, but the Amazon is less active, very tidy and very clean.  I wonder if problem is stress related.  (Both are male and are OK with each other when out together.)

What do you think?  Thanks!

[SeanM]

do you mist them?

[marilyn]

Try putting a feather duster in his cage so he can preen it. It worked for my daughters parrotlet that used to pluck his feathers.It's worth a try.Good Luck marilyn/Pepper

[lisarn3]

Oh wow, Marilyn, that sounds like a fun bird toy too!!!!

[vitrolm]

I would have never thought of that! LOVE this site

[Sherrie]

What a great Idea Marilyn ----->Kudos to you!!! I would have never thought of that one.. I need to put that in my memory bank next time I get out to go shopping-- !!!!!!!!!


Woozie----> I do not know of any spray to think of, I'll try to do a little research on it if ya like.... but Im sure someone else who's gone through this can chime in with some suggestions-- Like Sean asked,Is your bird bathing or getting misted regularly? I know they get really "dusty" Greyson takes baths very often but I noticed the other day when he scratched, just a puff of "dust" floated off of him!!! hugs

[Sherrie]

Hey Woozie-- I was on the Harrison's diet site and came across this and thought about your post--
I don't know anything about it but just thought that it might be of interest you since it's for "Feather-Destructive-Behaviors"


[urlhttp://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/FEATHER-DESTRUCTIVE-BEHAVIOR-KIT/productinfo/FPK/][/url]

[feika]

Hello and welcome to the forum from Ali/Captain. What I understood from your post is that you are worried about your Amazon and not about your Grey.

When I got my 2 Eclectus babies (about 8 months old) recently, the male bird was covered in blackish feathers instead of florescent green. It was mainly because of poor diet and lack of sunlight. Birds need direct sunlight not only for nourishment (to convert calcium and vitamin) but also for the betterment of their feathers. Now that he (Rainbow) is getting a good diet as well as plenty of sunrays and bathing, his new feathers are coming along bright green.

May be the same case with your Amazon, I'm just thinking out loud.

@Marilyn: What a wonderful idea.

[Sherrie]

Please forgive me for I am old and senile!!!!!
I apologize for spelling your name incorrectly not once but twice
Woozle!!!
 

[Izzo]

Misting them is so important! That has a huge impact not only making them feel better by not getting dry skin but also healthy looking feathers!

[kins23]

your grey and Amazon, will do well together!  Nancy

[kins23]

I don't mist my birds. Sophie HATES water. KIKI and Sunny, LOVE showers. Getting blowdryed.... etc, they love it! Sophie, loves to watch them, happy, to get a shower. She is happy for them. Has NOOOO interest in a shower. I would never betray her trust. I always ask her, "Are you sure?" She is!   Nancy

[lisarn3]

While I was out today I pick up one of those one gallon garden sprayers that you pump up.  I just got through using it on Cody bird.  he tolerater it very well.  He sometimes gets a little upset with the spray bottle.  since it is a finer more continous mist,  I think there is less to get upset about.
I will try it on the Too's in the morning.

[kins23]

Its been a routine, for past ten years. Kiki, the Amazon, and Sunny, our conure, love to shower.   Nancy