BLOG 1. FEATHER PLUCKING
There are many different reasons why
feather plucking (self mutilation) is a common problem with Golden
Conures. They have a rather nervous
temperament and are usually quite sensitive and easily stressed. The areas most
common to be plucked are the breast area and flight feathers. Some birds can
pluck themselves so badly to the point that they cannot even fly.
Here is an overview of the following subjects
in regards to feather plucking:
- Genealogy
- Aviary size and space
- Boredom
- Health issues
- Incubation
- One last thing
GENEOLOGY
This has a MAJOR part to play in many
Golden Conures plucking themselves. It is not the only reason of course – but
can play a major contributing factor. If your Golden Conures come from more of
a nervous/highly strung gene pool, you will find that they more prone to
plucking than others that come from a more placid gene pool. One KEY
important factor is that Golden Conure pairs that are related “sister/brother”
or come from the same line are more prone to nervous tendencies, infertility
and feather plucking.
AVAIRY SIZE AND
SPACE
The size of your aviary can play a part in
feather plucking, as there are many breeders out there that think that Golden
Conures are very similar with many other conure species, and that you can house
them in small surroundings and they will still breed for you and be happy. - WRONG –
Golden Conures in general need a large aviary space where they can
play, move, fly and flap around in. If you want them to be happy enough in
their surroundings, you need to supply them with good sized aviaries that they
can get the most out of and not be squashed in. Feather plucking also happens
when birds are housed in too smaller surroundings and no toys, and so they
start playing with each others feathers – which can lead to the habit of
feather plucking.
When they are happy in their surroundings they
are far less prone to pluck out of frustration or habit.
A good sized aviary (per pair) is as
follows: 3 metres long, 1.2 wide, 2.6
high.
Some breeders do
breed in suspended aviaries, however I personally would not go that route, as
one thing I have noticed is that Golden Conures do love to forage around on the
bottom of the aviaries. If they are in suspended, they will be walking on the
bottom of the wire, which causes their tail feathers to fray and damage. This
then aggravates them, and they start playing/plucking their frayed feathers. On
this issue of their feathers – they are very sensitive!
BOREDOM
This part flow on
from what is written above, including that you need to provide your birds (even
in aviaries) with toys and swings and many branches they can play with and chew
on. They are busy little flock birds and need to keep themselves occupied by
having toys, swings, and branches to play and chew. If they are busy – they are
not bored, which means less likelihood of plucking.
HEALTH ISSUES
Because of the small gene pool in
captivity, Golden Conures can be more prone to genetic disorders than other
species. One such disorder that is common in
Golden Conures is that of enflamed kidney conditions. This one causes the bird
to stress incredibly and can start feather plucking.
It is crucial that Golden Conures have a
large supply of fresh water daily, as they drink larger amounts of water that
other species of parrots per day.
Also
– by giving too much vitamin and mineral supplements in their diet can damage
their liver and kidneys, and then cause feather plucking.
The biggest health risk to Golden Conures
is this issue, as many veterinarians have told breeders that they need to (on
top of their daily diet), give their birds vitamin and mineral supplements in
order to help with feather plucking problems etc.….This is not necessary, because if your daily diet is full of fresh
fruit and veggies (containing fresh Vitamin A & E supplements, and
non cholesterol fats) then you should have no problems as they should receive
all the natural nutrients that is necessary in their daily diet.
INCUBATION
We don’t know why - but there tends to
be more of a problem with Golden Conures that have been incubated and hand
raised to have problems with feather plucking when they get older and it's time
for breeding, more so than parent raised. (not
all hand-raised Golden Conures do feather pluck) but there is a
higher percentage and possibility that they will.
ONE LAST THING
If your Golden Conures are prone to feather
plucking, then all of the above subjects you need to look at in changing their
diet and environment. However – there is one natural product that does help
this problem: RED PALM
FRUIT OIL. (it has to be 100% natural with no other oils or
synthetics in it). This oil is cholesterol free, and is full of vitamins A
& E. 1 teaspoon per serving – no
more than 14 grams.
HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED THE BLOG
- POMPOM -
