Hi everyone!

I'm Tina and a newbie.

I have a cockatiel that is having his first moult (he's about 1 1/2 years old). The problem is...he is a feather picker!

He practically plucked himself bald! I've talked with a few pet shop owners who specialize in birds, and they have told me he is either:
*bored
*his diet is poor
*he has a nervous habit

Well, I've tried to introduce new and fun food for him...no luck. I've gotten him MANY toys to play with...no luck. I talk with him all the time and my two parakeets are in the same room with him, so I don't think he's lonley.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this? My last tiel was 15 when he flew over the Rainbow Bridge, and I don't ever remember him having this sort of problem.

Thanks for your help!

Tina

Hi Tina, welcome to our community. Good to have you. Be sure to stop by the Introduce Yourself forum so other members can meet you.

A while back, we featured a pet by the name of Sammy -- he was doing the exact same thing, plucking away (look closely at his photo and you'll note some feathers missing). He started plucking after the owners moved. It took him a long time to get used to his new surroundings, but now he's feathery again. She'll be posting new pictures in a few days.

Have you moved his cage? Any significant changes, like painting the room color, adding a rug, etc.?

Thank you Barbi!

That is exactly what Roofus looked like when he was picking at his chest!

No, we didn't add/change anything in his room.

I've added some "Peak Health Formula for Nestling, Moulting, and Conditioning" that seems to be helping.

Thanks for replying!

Hugs

Tina

There are some reasons for that behavior. Maybe the cage is in front of a window,toys hang under rather than beside the bird, and all the cage elements including the toys are indestructible. Any or all of these environmental elements can be stressful to a bird and can stimulate feather chewing,snaping, or plucking for the following reasons:
1.A cage in front of a window is too exposed. A companion bird exhibiting a stress reaction needs at least one side of the cage against a wall, preferably 2 sides, such as in a corner.
2.Toys should be easily accesible , preferably hanging beside rather than under the bird. At least a couple of toyd should be so obtrusive that the bird must occasionally put beak to toy in order to pass by the toy.
3. Safe, non toxic branches with chewable bark should be probide at various angles in various sizes and textures.
Put diferent type of toys, rope, wood, plastic, ect.
Let it hear the radio or tv.
Hope this help