Feather Picking.

Perhaps one of the most perplexing problems faced by owners of pet birds is the condition known variously as feather picking, feather plucking, or, especially in its more serious forms, self-mutilation. Comical as this may seem to outsiders the dedicated bird fancier realizes that a bird that has feathers only from the neck up either is, or soon will be, an ill animal. Equally frustrating is the prospect of a diligent breeder trying to figure out how he or she can market a scantily feathered psittacine or a poorly plumed passerine. Perhaps this article can help delineate some of the more common causes and feasible cures.

A list of probable causes for this condition would include, in no particular order, trauma (e.g. cuts or burns), parasites (mites, lice, ticks), nutrition, and behavioral. We shall develop each of these aspects individually then endeavor to offer suggestions for their resolution.

Lacerations and abrasions in birds often appear significantly more devastating then they actually are. Whereas mammalian, i.e. fur bearing, skin is closely adherent to the underlying at and muscle, avian skin is very loosely connected to subcutaneous tissue. A narrow but long slit in the skin covering the breast muscles of a bird may peel back under normal integumentary tension to expose the entire pectoral musculature. Fortunately, the actual cut edges are easily reapposed by any veterinary surgeon equipped to operate on very light-bodied individuals. By contrast, a wound exposing the entire pectoral musculature of a dog or cat may well take several intricate and lengthy reconstructive surgeries to adequately cover the area with healthy skin. So now the we successfully restored the integrity of the integument, how can we effectively keep an innately curious patient from reopening the incision? Obviously telling Billy the budgie to leave his sutures alone probably will be ineffective. However, there is something to be said for keeping his mind off his stitches, and hence his feathers, as will be covered later. Dependent upon the location of the incision or affected feathers, a light bandage may be helpful.

Bandaging any "lower" animal must be undertaken with some caution. We have all undoubtedly seen a dog, cat, or bird tear madly at a bandage or other foreign object adherent to their skin, fur, or feather. If they would stop with the bandage the only problem would be the task of constantly replacing the device. All too often this frenzied activity is carried over to the surrounding fur or feathers. In the illustration of chest sutures, a light total body wrap would protect both the incision line and avoid transference of any ensuing bandage picking to the feathers since all convenient ones are also covered. Again, this must be only sturdy enough to stay in place and loose enough to permit normal and stressed respiration. Remember that a bird has no diaphragm and must have free movement of the keel bone to breathe. Obviously this type of body wrap can be used effectively in some feather picking cases which are confined to either the back or the chest.

We are all familiar with several types of parasites found on the skin or feathers of our avian friends. The actual treatments for these pets are best let to another article but let it suffice to state that ectoparasites can lead to abnormal feather pulling. After the parasites have been eliminated, one of the best devices for preventing further mutilation is a form of the Elizabethan collar.

These devices are so constructed as to prevent the wearer from reaching the affected part of its body. Some forms consist totally or partially of a cylinder worn as a neck brace around the throat thereby restricting any bending ability of the avian cervical region. We prefer to avoid these styles since they can cause difficulties with eating or swallowing as well as seem especially prone to chafing. The style which consists only of a rounded, semidished piece of plastic has worked quite well for us and is easily tailored to fit the particular problem and dimensions of the bird. One of the keys to the success of this from of Elizabethan collar is the use of smooth, lightweight, stiff yet flexible plastic. Used radiographic film fits this need perfectly. Almost any veterinary or human hospital has excess exposed film you may be able to obtain. Following along on figure one, you will need to make the following cuts: outer circumference varies according to the size of the affected area, opening "B" needs to be sufficiently large not to impinge on the wearer's throat even when swallowing but snug enough to prevent the collar slipping off or getting a foot trapped, line "A" is cut so as to permit overlapping of the edges both to form the dish shape and to adjust the size of opening "B". We have tried to smooth up the edge of opening "B" by applying small pieces of tape, sanding it, or melting the plastic. None of these methods seemed to improve the comfort of the collar so we now leave them merely cut smoothly. By experimenting with various degrees of overlapping along cut line "A" you can change both the neck opening size at "B" and the depth of the dish. Our patients tend to adjust better to a shallow wide collar than to a narrow deep collar. Remember that birds need to use their feet so the collar should not be so large nor so deep as to prevent climbing or use of the claws while eating. The ability to fly will also be eliminated or markedly reduced. Close the overlapping edges with numerous staples piercing from outside in. This gives less raised portion for the patient to hook with its beak. Also, the more staples to be removed, within reason, the more likely your bird is to tire of this game and thus stop before the collar falls off. Cover all the staples with lengths of shiny cellophane tape running from hole "B" along the overlapped edges and under the outer edge. For most birds, this presents a surface too smooth to sink their beaks into and therefore preserves the staples. The outer perimeter can be trimmed once the collar is in place in order to prevent the beak reaching past the collar yet not interfere with vital foot functions. DO NOT apply a collar then leave the bird unattended. A few birds will not adjust to this device and frantically try to remove it. Then too the collar may be too small to be effective or too large to permit normal mobility. Experience is the best teacher so seek professional advice if there are any difficulties.

If every aspect of nutrition was to be covered in regards to a healthy bird this would turn into a rather lengthy book. Instead, we are only covering dietary habits relative to feather picking. Other workers have shown that the amount of protein in the diet can have a direct influence on the progression of the moult.¹ One some occasions, increasing the amount of protein in the diet to 9% has stopped feather picking as well as abnormal moulting.¹ Although not a problem with most knowledgeable aviculturists, appropriate fresh vitamins should be available. Petrak mentions that the addition of 2% salt to an all-mash diet or 4% to a mash with grain diet for a few days has sometimes stopped feather picking.¹

Behavioral causes of feather picking run the gamut from the commonplace boredom to some very subtle disturbances. While boredom is not frequently a problem at the home or aviary of most of our readers, this may well be a problem in birds sold to private homes. The most dramatic case this writer can recall was a massive, wonderfully feathered and colored scarlet macaw sold from a department store. This fellow was accustomed to the hustle and bustle associated with the seven day a week activities centered around the pet center/garden display. Eventually sold to a good home with plenty of wholesome food and a basically sound environment, the new owners devoted a great deal of time trying to teach their friend some choice phrases. This could hardly compare to the commotion of hundreds of passers-by and dozens of interested spectators. Soon we were presented with a reasonably healthy but denuded bird. New toys and a relocation to an area providing a view of a busy street corner eventually relieved this case of avian ennui. One of our last cases of behavior-induced feather picking turned out to be a cockatiel who felt neglected when the owner forgot to give the customary greeting immediately upon returning home from work. An Elizabethan collar was removed two days after renewed interest was given the bird and no further problems have been seen since.

By way of summary, we can pass along a comment handed down from an avian practitioner in the Midwest. He professed that he had never seen a bird cured of feather picking. Fortunately, our experience has not been so dismal but the statement does point out that there is no overnight miracle cure. Sometimes countless combinations must be tried and a few collars need replacing. We suggest you seek the assistance of your veterinarian in the diagnosis and treatment of the specific problems you face.

¹Petrak, p. 160. Diseases of Cage and Aviary Birds, Lea & Febiger