Feather plucking is a common and frustrating problem in budgies and other pet birds where they continuously pick their feathers or sometimes they also damage the feathers of their companions.
Feather plucking in birds will cause skin problems and will not maintain the ability to dry and warm itself.
Why Do Budgies Pluck Their and Other Birds Feathers, Unhealthy Feather Plucking?
Our blog will delve into the reasons behind feather plucking in budgies and other birds, offering insights into effective treatment methods. While we draw from our experience, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian for tailored bird-specific advice.
Why Does My Budgie Keep Pulling Feathers Out?
Feather plucking is common in birds which will result in many skin diseases. There is a variety of reasons for feather plucking and all those reasons fall into two categories: medical and behavioral.
Medical Causes
If you observe that your bird is plucking its feathers it might be because of malnutrition, psittacosis, skin infections, exposure to toxins, bacterial or fungal infection, and parasites.
In this case, your bird needs an instant medical examination from your vet so that you can start the proper treatment suggested by your vet.
Medically if your vet didn’t identify any cause of feather plucking then it’s likely to occur because of behavioral reasons.
Behavioral Causes
Feather plucking can sometimes cause stress due to boredom, sleep deficiency, overcrowding, environmental changes, and sexual frustration.
How Do I Stop My Budgie from Plucking Its Feathers?
There are some things you can consider if your bird plucking its feathers.
Diet
A poor diet can cause the problem of feather plucking. Provide a balanced diet such as a quality pelleted diet, a good diet include fresh fruits, vegetables, tree branches, and grit.
Seeds and nuts should be only used as treats and for training purposes, reduce feeding items that are high in carbohydrates and sugar.
Sleep
Providing your bird with 10-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night is crucial to prevent stress-related feather plucking. Simply covering your bird at night is not enough; it’s important to create a dark and quiet environment that allows for proper rest.
Consider keeping your bird in a room that minimizes disruptions and promotes healthy sleep habits.
Allergies and Toxins
To prevent allergies and toxins from affecting your bird, identify and remove any potential sources near its cage. Ensure that their living space remains clean and free from allergenic feed.
Furthermore, avoid placing the birdcage near areas with smoke or strong odors, such as the kitchen or smoking areas.
Habitat
Try to take your bird’s cage to an area with lots of light and use a humidifier by which the humidity level will rise. If you keep your bird in a small cage try to shift it to a larger cage.
Sexual Frustration
Sexual frustration is not a common cause of feather plucking, at the phase of maturity birds see their human caretakers as part of their avian flock they decide to choose a human mate.
if you did not give them their proper time and ignore them then it will cause frustration in them.
Sexual frustration problem can be solved by placing your bird with the breeding flock if your bird is facing sexual frustration.
Reduce Stress
If your bird appears to be stressed, it may be due to a change in its environment, such as introducing a new pet or family member, altering its diet, or handling them differently.
Identifying the cause and providing proper attention during the day can significantly reduce their anxiety levels and improve their well-being.
By avoiding stressors, you’ll notice a significant difference in your bird’s behavior.