The parrot has feathers: what to do

The most common reason that a parrot has feathers is molting. All healthy parrots on average twice a yearmoult, so the old plumage changes to a new one. During this period parrots can become dull or restless. But molting in parrots is not a disease, but a natural process.

Normally, molting should pass unnoticed: feathers fall out gradually, foci of alopecia are notis formed. Sometimes a parrot can pull out worn feathers by itself, but it does not do it all the time. The first molt of parrots (change of primary feather cover) occurs at the age of 3-6 months, by the end of the first year of life it ends. During molting it is desirable to increase the proportion of vitamins and minerals in the diet.

There are also so-called shock molt. Parrots are quite shy birds, sowith a strong fright, a change of scenery and other strong emotional experiences, feathers may begin to fall out. With shock moult, feathers fall not gradually, but suddenly, in whole bundles. In general, small tail and tail feathers fall out.

The difference between a shock molt and a natural molt is also that when a parrot is moulting, the body temperature rises in order to compensate for the lack of a feather cover, and in case of a shock, it does not. therefore during the shock moult parrot needs additional heating and feed, otherwise he may get sick. In this case, no specific treatment is required.

Also a parrot may have feathers with a monotonous dietif the food lacks vitamins, minerals orother important substances for health. This happens if the bird is fed with grain mixtures and forgets that it also needs vegetable and protein foods.

So if a parrot has feathers, first of all provide him with a balanced diet: it should include cereal mixtures with a variety of compositions, vegetable and animal feed, minerals and vitamins (in ready-to-wear shops ready-made preparations are sold).

Another reason that a parrot has feathers, can be a mite or fungus attack. In addition to falling feathers, other symptoms may occur: wounds, scaling, plaques on the skin, outgrowths or crusts on the wax, legs and beak. On fallen feathers you can see the blood and holes that have gnawed the parasites.

If parasites are suspected of a sick parrot, they should be sent off (if he does not live alone) and consult the veterinarian as soon as possible: Only a veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe a treatment.

Thyroid dysfunction and hormonal imbalance can also be the reason that the parrotfeathers fall out. Usually in such cases the feathers of the parrot will be dull and disheveled, sometimes they darken at the ends. Usually, such parrots are overweight.

As in the previous case, an accurate diagnosis can only be made by a veterinarian on the basis of tests. For treatment usually prescribed a course of drugs taken orally or in the form of injections. To be engaged in a selftreatment in this case it is impossible.

Sometimes it happens that feathers do not fall out, and the parrot himself plucks them and eats them. The reason may be incorrect content: an unbalanced diet, a tight cage, too dry air. Also, the reason may be boredom: if the parrot lives alone and has nothing to do, it often begins to clean feathers, and gradually the cleansing turns into plucking.

As you can see, parrots may have feathers for various reasons, but in most cases balanced nutrition, proper maintenance and timely treatment to the vet (if there are other symptoms besides feathering) will help to cope with the problem.