Wondering if molting has turned Tico into a plucker...?...

[knygren76]

Hey everyone,  after reading many posts on molting, I am even more confused, I think.  I know Tico is molting for sure!  I can see and feel his new feathers coming in.  But I do feel he is over preening himself.  His chest is quite bare, not really "bald spots", just kind of thin looking.  He looks a little rough on his back, but certainly no shortage of feathers.  As he is preening, he brings a feather out with him and chew is up into a million pieces.  How am I to know this is becoming habit or if he really needs to get those feathers out?  He's not "yanking" the feathers, they come out with ease.  He's been molting for about two weeks now. I am seeing alot less feathers the last four days, which is a relief!  But kind of thought his chest would be filling out more by now.  Any suggestions/questions?  I would appreciate it!
BTW, he is eating and drinking excellent, talking a mile a minute, very active and poop looks good Thanks!

[sandisbirdsitting]

Can you post some photos for us ?

[knygren76]

I will try to do that in a little bit.  Not sure if I can figure it out, but I will certainly try!

[knygren76]

It wont let me post it.  Says file is too large.

[knygren76]

I was able to put it in the gallery.  I don't know how hard it would be for anyone to find though.  Guess the file is too big to post on thread.  I tried taking several more, but none of them were small enough to post. Sorry.

[jules]

keisha has tico always looked a little fluffly around his chest? sorry i cant remember how long you've had him for but it certainly looks like he has been over preening,he does seem to have new ones coming through though 

do you shower him regularly,this will ease his itchy skin? 

[sandisbirdsitting]

Yes birdie is certainly a plucker...only down feathers left on the chest.

[knygren76]

Well Jules, I've had tico since Oct. 2010.  Got him as a baby.  He is now 16 mos old.  I do regularly drench him now, as the vet advised me too...I didn't know before our first visit that I was supposed to.  I always just misted him.  He doesn't like either by the way .  No, he hasn't always been that fluffy.  Just since he started loosing feathers.  He also has never pulled a feather out until the molt started.  I do see and feel new feathers coming in.
I guess I'm just worried he will keep messing with his feathers, once the molting is complete, out of habit.  A little encouragement is, last week, preening consumed his whole day pretty much, it has lessened, certainly.  But still wondering why his chest is so thin.  Thought the feathers would be filled in more by now.
In addition to the molt,,,a few changes
1...He gets bathed (more frequently and gets totally wet)
2...Switched to almost all pellet food (harrisons mainly) (and veggies, of course)
3...The kids went back to school
Maybe one or all of those changes contributed to him doing this.
You would never think he's bothered by anything though, he is still the same Tico.
That's why I'm so confused.  The switching from seed & little pellet to all pellets actually went very very good!!!  He actually loves the pellets...just racking my brain here.  He's still very happy and active.  Even saying new words in the last couple of days.
So I just don't know    P.S.   like I said, it is better than a week ago!

[knygren76]

sandisbirdsitting,

Is it still considered plucking if he doesn't actually "yank" them out?  I've never seen him do that.  Just wondering...

[sandisbirdsitting]

Birdie only has down feathers left on the front, the other feathers are gone.
Please take a look at the plumage on the Greys in the photo gallery you will notice they have feathers (under these feathers are the down).
This is not normal molting...molting is replacing the feathers. Once your grey molts a wing flight feather if you expand the wing after a week you will have a clear view of the new feather replacing the old. If you are comfortable with handling your bird this will help you understand the molt.
 

Would be interested in seeing photos from the past 12-14 months...do you have a few to share with us ?

Smiles

[Karine]

I just saw Tico's picture. Not normal molting, Tico is plucking  . I know from experience as Sophie is plucking as well.

[knygren76]

Yes, I have lots of pics of Tico. I will post them in the gallery when I get home from work.
I am taking him to the vet tomorrow afternoon.  Thanks!

[alicat]

sandi
 can i ask something please with regards to plucking?
my little senegal sinbad, he plucked his lower tummy, his trousers and under his wings totally bald at his last home. the bald area is now almost all covered in white down and some areas have some coloured feathers coming in. does down just come thru quicker than the coloured ones? or is that likely to be happening cos hes damaged them and they wont come back?
its not realy a problem either way as such, but im just interested in how long from being bald (if he continues to leave themalone ) the transition to being fully feathered takes.
hes been with me 9 weeks now. he had an awful diet of pizza and chips, burger and chips etc at old home apparently (no seed or pellets) and was skin and bone so i cant expect his feather growth or quality to be blooming for a while.

[Izzo]

Keisha, Hey it is Joe,
I just saw the picture of Tico and was a bit surprised as well.

Definatly worth a trip to the Vet.

Keep us posted.

Best of luck!!

[jules]

awww good luck at the vets keisha. hope he grows his feathers back soon 

it could be the changes,he may be missing the kids? ask the vet about allergies too,is it possible he could be allergic to any of the ingredients in harrisons?