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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

568.0. "Yellow nape picking feet bad" by PROXY::HOLLIS () Mon Jun 17 1991 09:01

    Help please,
    
    Why would a yellow nape female 6 yrs old pick at her feet until they
    are red raw and bleeding, She was put in a breeding cage with male of
    choice but after 2 months is back to picking her feet real bad again.
    
    Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated, she has vets baffled
    they have done all kinds of tests but cant seem to find an answer.
    
    Thanks in advance
    Bill Hollis
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
568.1PICKY BIRD BEHAVIORBRAT::BOURGAULTMon Jun 17 1991 16:5520
    Bill,
    
    Did she stop picking at her feet in the 2 months she was with her mate?
    If so, the it is a psychological disorder rather than physical.  Is she
    still with her mate?  Do they get along ok?  Was she a real pet prior
    to starting this dreadful habit?  Is there a specific food that she
    started eating or took a fancy to just prior to it?
    
    Sorry for all of the questions.  Perhaps there is something there that
    will point to the reason, if any....I'm sure the vets have probably
    checked into all of this.  I have a male peach faced lovebird that
    started plucking the feathers around his neck 2 years ago and hasn't 
    stopped yet...even after I paired him up with a beautiful female! They
    have mated and are on their 2nd clutch of kids.  I thought this would
    stop it but it hasn't.  There isn't anything physically wrong with him.
    Yesterday I noticed that he had picked a spot so close that he started
    to bleed a bit.  I'm still trying to figure out his problem!
    
    Regards,
    Denise
568.2PROTEIN DEFICIENCY MAYBE??BRAT::BOURGAULTMon Jun 17 1991 17:0511
    Bill,
    
    I just thought of something.  I read about a pair of Amazons that would
    continually kill their clutches of babies after about 3-4 weeks.  They
    would literally pick them apart.  The breeder surmised that perhaps
     they were lacking protein and started feeding 
    them a bit of canned dog food and meat.  This alleviated the problem
    and they never did it again.   This is probably a real long shot, but
    it may be worth investigating a bit.
    
    Denise
568.3MORE IDEAS FOR YOUR AMAZONBRAT::BOURGAULTTue Jun 18 1991 16:4924
    Yes, another note from me.  Last night I was at our bird club's
    Board Of Director's meeting with 4 other breeders, one of which is
    a nationally known avian vet and author of numerous books on birds.
    I asked them about your bird's problem and they thought it could be
    one of two things;
    
    1.  Scaly mites on the feet (microscopic little parasites that attack
        the feet primarily -and around the beak at times.) This will cause
        the bird to bite and pick its feet.
    
    2.  Neurological disorder - Which could be either an emotional or
        physical disorder.
    
    They suggested that the vet check out the feet to ensure that it is not
    scaly mite.
    
    The vet suggested that if it seems to be emotional, try attaching a
    collar around the bird's neck to prevent this further until the feet
    heal thoroughly.  The parrot may then forget this nasty habit.  Collars
    can be obtained through your avian vet.
    
    Hope this helps!
    Regards,
    Denise