Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
1: you shouldnt be trying to "work them out" they are not "shoots" there the natural casing on new feathers, its completly normal ALL birds have them and there supposed to stay on the feather untill its gown enogh for the ird to easily remove them naturally.
2: if you feel the need to try and work them out and the bird is uncomfortable, either you are PULLING or the feathers are still too new and tender, so STOP...i dont care what the "expert bird store" told you, as someone whos worked with animals in many settings including birds of all shapes and sizes for the entrety of her life leanring form people who have also worked with animals for the entirety of thiers...if it hurts when you do something DONT DO IT...
3: ifyou insist on trying to "help"
1- STOP PULLING...instead crush the casing between your fingers, dont try to roll it dont try to pull it, simply gently squish your fingers togethe like your pinching. the casing IF its ready will crack open and simply blowing on it or a gentle pet in a "with the grain" motion will remove the "dust"
2- bathe your bird regularly with ROOM TEMPERATURE/LUKE WARM water...im not talking a light spray im talking at least twice a week he need to be SOAKED...ake him into the bathroom set him up over the tub with a shower perch and spray him till hes soaked down, then keep him warm untill hes completly dry.
twice a month add a little aloe vera juice (the stuff you buy at the health ood store to DRINK, not the stuff you put on your skin after a sun burn which contains all kinds of chemicals...just PURE aloe vera juice. its a natural "conditioner" and moisturizer, wont do anything realy for his feathers (though it will help soften any stubborn pin feather casings) but itll do his skin a world of good.
parrots have been tending their own pin feathers since the dawn of time...if your bird is uncomfortable with you doing it...STOP doing it!!!
if your bird learns that your going to make it uncomfortable by constantly messing with the pin feathers eventually its going to tell you in no uncertain terms to back off...generally fingers and blood are involved on that day.
1: you shouldnt be trying to "work them out" they are not "shoots" there the natural casing on new feathers, its completly normal ALL birds have them and there supposed to stay on the feather untill its gown enogh for the ird to easily remove them naturally.
2: if you feel the need to try and work them out and the bird is uncomfortable, either you are PULLING or the feathers are still too new and tender, so STOP...i dont care what the "expert bird store" told you, as someone whos worked with animals in many settings including birds of all shapes and sizes for the entrety of her life leanring form people who have also worked with animals for the entirety of thiers...if it hurts when you do something DONT DO IT...
3: ifyou insist on trying to "help"
1- STOP PULLING...instead crush the casing between your fingers, dont try to roll it dont try to pull it, simply gently squish your fingers togethe like your pinching. the casing IF its ready will crack open and simply blowing on it or a gentle pet in a "with the grain" motion will remove the "dust"
2- bathe your bird regularly with ROOM TEMPERATURE/LUKE WARM water...im not talking a light spray im talking at least twice a week he need to be SOAKED...ake him into the bathroom set him up over the tub with a shower perch and spray him till hes soaked down, then keep him warm untill hes completly dry.
twice a month add a little aloe vera juice (the stuff you buy at the health ood store to DRINK, not the stuff you put on your skin after a sun burn which contains all kinds of chemicals...just PURE aloe vera juice. its a natural "conditioner" and moisturizer, wont do anything realy for his feathers (though it will help soften any stubborn pin feather casings) but itll do his skin a world of good.
parrots have been tending their own pin feathers since the dawn of time...if your bird is uncomfortable with you doing it...STOP doing it!!!
if your bird learns that your going to make it uncomfortable by constantly messing with the pin feathers eventually its going to tell you in no uncertain terms to back off...generally fingers and blood are involved on that day.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
