Hi, I used to have two older female owl finches, but about 1 year ago one of them died. In the summer I got another female from a friend (to keep the older one company). My friend said somebody in her aviary was plucking the feathers on her chest (between the two bars) and she might need a 'change of scenery' anyway. I brought her home, but realized after several weeks that she is doing the plucking herself. There are plenty of eucalyptus branches, perches and live plants in the aviary so that she shouldn't be bored. I know it's hard to change a behavior that's been going on for quite awhile, but does anyone have any suggestions how to stop her? That whole area is bald now.
Iso
PS: Other than this issue she seems to be happy and healthy.
Owl finch plucking her own feathers
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isobea
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lovezebs
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Re: Owl finch plucking her own feathers
isobea
Came upon your post Iso, and realized no one resonded. How is your hen doing now? Is she still plucking?
Now I don't know if this would work, but is it possible to use a bit of bitter apple spray on the affected area? I have used it before with cats an dogs ( with an obsessive licking problem, or after surgery), but not sure if it will be effective with birds or not.
~Elana~
Came upon your post Iso, and realized no one resonded. How is your hen doing now? Is she still plucking?
Now I don't know if this would work, but is it possible to use a bit of bitter apple spray on the affected area? I have used it before with cats an dogs ( with an obsessive licking problem, or after surgery), but not sure if it will be effective with birds or not.
~Elana~
~Elana~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
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lovezebs
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Re: Owl finch plucking her own feathers
~Elana~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
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isobea
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Re: Owl finch plucking her own feathers
Hi Elana - busy day today. Had my girlfriends over for coffee and a cookie exchange and ended up talking for hours. Don't you love this pre-Christmas time?
Anyway, back to the birds: yes, my little lady is still plucking her feathers. Is there a chance she might think 'topless' is in?
Kidding aside, I think that's just a well established habit of hers. There's plenty for her to do, so it shouldn't be boredom. I like your idea about using something like bitter apple, but since she is in that 16 foot aviary it would be pretty stressful for the other 'inmates' (6 of them are wild-caught: my strawberries and the four black-crowned waxbills) if I had to catch her repeatedly. She seems perfectly happy and healthy so I've pretty much accepted it as one of her quirks. She has bonded really well with my old female and I would hate to disrupt that relationship by bringing her into the house to treat her. Thanks for being concerned and asking about her.
Iso
Anyway, back to the birds: yes, my little lady is still plucking her feathers. Is there a chance she might think 'topless' is in?
Kidding aside, I think that's just a well established habit of hers. There's plenty for her to do, so it shouldn't be boredom. I like your idea about using something like bitter apple, but since she is in that 16 foot aviary it would be pretty stressful for the other 'inmates' (6 of them are wild-caught: my strawberries and the four black-crowned waxbills) if I had to catch her repeatedly. She seems perfectly happy and healthy so I've pretty much accepted it as one of her quirks. She has bonded really well with my old female and I would hate to disrupt that relationship by bringing her into the house to treat her. Thanks for being concerned and asking about her.Iso