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ARTICLE
| new or unfamiliar to a cockatiel, can precipitate the event of plucking. Even outdoor stimuli such as roadwork, street lamplights, and car headlights shining through windows can stress out a cockatiel. Changes in the number of daylight hours, hours of darkness, and the opportunity for sleep and rest can all add unwarranted stress.A lack of companionship can deeply affect cockatiels. Schedule changes that increase or decrease the amount of time and attention formerly given to a cockatiel may ...cause plucking behavior. Provide adequate attention if your time and efforts have been displaced to another pet, or to a new member of the family, work, or other distraction. Behavioral influences should not be totally discounted. In a group situation with three or more birds, it is possible that one bird may teach another the bad habit of feather plucking. This behavior should be discouraged by ignoring the bad behavior and immediately praising the very next behavior the bird performs that has nothing to do with feather plucking another bird. Punishing bad behavior will never deter the behavior in the long run, whereas consistently praising an alternate behavior will have surprising results. The key word here, however, is “consistency.” Be consistent in this training. Sometimes a cockatiel may, in the absence of another cockatiel, preen a bird of a different species that is its companion and may even succeed in snatching out a feather. Usually this is harmless as long as there are no patches of skin or obvious feather loss seen. If the feather plucking cockatiel appears to be objecting to another birds company, the answer may be in either removing the other bird, or providing a different cage for the feather- plucking bird. Finally, genetic factors may play an influence in some cockatiels. However, a genetic influence is more frequently considered when parent birds begin to feather pluck their own chicks. The plucking of chicks can occur at any age, and it is typical for breeders to remove the young and foster them to other pairs with chicks at the same stages of development (to guarantee the chicks’ survival), or to begin handfeeding. Although sometimes the feather plucking of young can be attributed to genetics, feather-plucking may also be influenced from learned behavior modeled by other cockatiels who pluck. Therefore, not all feather-plucking is necessarily caused by inherited DNA. It is important to realize that cockatiels are, by their very nature, sensitive birds that are creatures of habit. Once cockatiels are comfortable and accustomed to their environment, they may become upset with any changes. If feather plucking should occur, it is best to bring your cockatiel in to a professional avian veterinarian who will go over your bird’s history to try to establish and rule out the causes. In more severe cases, if a veterinarian is unable to help, a bird behaviorist should be consulted. After ruling out the above causes, to discourage the action of feather plucking, try some changes in the environment. Moving the cage to a different room may draw a cockatiel’s attention away from its behavior as it attempts to adjust to its new surroundings. Adding new toys or rotating toys to keep a cockatiel amused can be a big help. Train your cockatiel to eat plenty of long, crisp, dark green, leafy vegetables that it can learn to chew rather than its own feathers. Supply freshly washed, clean branches and other healthy snacks, bird treats, and spray millet for your cockatiel to chew. Spend time with your cockatiel to provide the companionship it may be missing. Allow the cockatiel supervised playtime outside its cage can improve its mood and discourage the act of plucking. A play stand or cockatiel playpen used for that purpose can be a wonderful diversion for a cockatiel. Clip the cockatiel’s wings first if it is not tame or if it is unfamiliar with flight so it will not fly into walls at (literally) break-neck speed. Once feathers appear, try some limited spray mistings with clear, warm water from a clean plant atomizer kept only for this purpose. Most cockatiels will start to preen and groom themselves normally (however cut back on baths if they stimulate further plucking). Be versatile, observant, and understanding. Cockatiels are emotional beings that will also react to tension and stress. Make their environment one they can enjoy and flourish in and feather-plucking habits may be deterred. Related Article: |
| "Providing Resources to the Cockatiel Community" The Cockatiel Foundation, founded in June 2007, began out of a growing need in the avicultural community to offer its members programs for pet owners, breeders and exhibitors, in addition to services never before addressed in the cockatiel community. CF is establishing a Cockatiel Adoption & Placement Program to hrlp in the placement and rehoming of cockatiels to new, permanent "forever" homes. CF offers a wealth of information on color genetics, mutations, and breeding research. CF is addressing the needs of our Youth Members in the CF Youth & Education Program developed for tomorrows' next generation of cockatiel afficionados. Please visit our unique LOST & FOUND Center to report and reunite birds with their owners! Joining the Foundation When you join the Foundation as a Member, you will receive many benefits, including the Cockatiel Chronicle and have access to the Members' Only Yahoo Group for chat, PHOTO CONTEST, Members' Articles & more! Please read about our Membership benefits and peruse the website. COME JOIN US! |
| FEATHER-PLUCKING IN COCKATIELS: © 2002 LINDA S. RUBIN Originally published in June 2002 issue of BIRD TIMES Magazine "All Rights Reserved" PAGE 2. |
| Linda S. Rubin is an aviculturist, lecturer and avian educator of 30 years, with an international byline in avicultural magazines around the world and author of several books at www.CockatielsPlusParrots.com. She is the cockatiel expert columnist for Bird Talk’s website, BirdChannel.com, writes as an overseas columnist for Cage & Aviary Birds (United kingdom), and she serves on the board of directors as National Specialty Vice President for the American Federation of Aviculture, Inc. She is the founding president and genetics consultant of the Cockatiel Foundation, Inc. Linda is a certified panel judge for the Cockatiel Foundation, and the Society of Parrot Breeders & Exhibitors, judging shows throughout the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada since 1984. |
| Disclaimer Articles on this website are not meant to take the place of proper veterinary and other medical care. If your bird appears ill or shows symptoms of illness, please contact your avian veterinarian as quickly as possible. Birds are prey animals and hide their symptoms in order to survive; by the time owners see symptoms, a bird may have become extremely ill. Owners are advised to seek medical attention immediately. To find an avian veterinarian in your area, contact the Association of Avian Veterinarians at www.aav.org. |
c. 2008 Amy Hopkins
Cockatiel Foundation, Inc.