quaker plucking issue?

[Pixiebeak]

okay i just got weight pics! turns out my mom had a small weight machine in the kitchen! hes comfortable with sitting on kleenexes so that worked perfectlt, will follow up with a poop pic when he does!

the image below is in ounces, i also got one in grams so lmk if you prefer the grams one

View attachment 433801

Definitely grams! Dint make me do math!

 

[sleepyteds]

Definitely grams! Dint make me do math!

LOL APOLOGIES!! the number switched between 90 and 95 grams every few seconds! stinky boy is looking at the number too in this picture

 

[Pixiebeak]

Your vet may be willing to payment instalments, it's worth asking

 

[sleepyteds]

Your vet may be willing to payment instalments, it's worth asking

okay perfect, i will definitely bring this up!

 

[Pixiebeak]

Cutie!!!
I imagine should be over 100 grams, my smallest is 104.
Do you have a previous weight?

Another thing , it's molting time. That takes more calories, and more protein. I offer boiled egg or scrambled egg a couple if times a week. A little well cooked chicken like your thumb print size , and I bump seeds. It really is a big drain in them to molt.

 

[sleepyteds]

i dont have any previous weight sadly, but ill keep an eye on his weight regularly from now on.

ahh i never knew that! okay, adding that to the list as well

 

[Pixiebeak]

He isn't as deep green and lush as should be.. and I do see barbered feathers . So stress might be playing a role as well.

Observe and think on how you can improve this. Foraging can help, maybe having cage in main living area . Taking them outside in a travel cage and light shade is fine to still get sunshine benefits..

Create a morning ritual, that you think parents can keep up while you are gone. Maybe some music and chatting to him in the morning.

 

[Pixiebeak]

i dont have any previous weight sadly, but ill keep an eye on his weight regularly from now on.

ahh i never knew that! okay, adding that to the list as well

From now till you go weigh daily

 

[Pixiebeak]

I do forget , how stressed quakers can go after legs and feet! It's been awhile since I stressed one.

We can hope it's that plus the extra stress if molt. So you can really boost calories. I love baby bird formula for helping with that. It's supportive enough if they take 3 ml a day in addition to their normal foods and stuff we talked about.

 

[sleepyteds]

okay ill definitely take note of all these and start bringing up the calories. ill talk to my vet too and just bring up the situation and see if we can figure out how i can get him in and get the payment in order. will keep you updated as best as i can

thank you so much pixie, honestly, this really really helped me

 

[sleepyteds]

I do forget , how stressed quakers can go after legs and feet! It's been awhile since I stressed one.

We can hope it's that plus the extra stress if molt. So you can really boost calories. I love baby bird formula for helping with that. It's supportive enough if they take 3 ml a day in addition to their normal foods and stuff we talked about.

omg okay, lets hope its just stress from the molt and maybe all the stress that weve been having and not anything serious. still im going to get in touch with my vet just in case, so wish me luck!

 

[WillowQ]

Am I correct that he’s only plucking one leg? That makes me wonder if this is something physical, like leg pain from a one sided injury, or an internal issue causing pressure on a nerve (nerve pain). Mites are a very rare problem for indoor pet parrots.

My Quaker boy started on Harrison’s high potency diet and I think that kept him in really robust condition. I don’t recall what pellet he’s eating, but some brands do have a high potency formulation.

As Pixiebeak wrote, leg chewing and mutilation is a Quaker parakeet specific problem. But I would take to heart that he’s only plucking one leg bald and ask what’s going on with that leg. Note that adult parrots only have a functional sex organ on one side of the body. That might provide a clue. My instinct tells me that such extreme one sided plucking suggests that something doesn’t feel good.

 

[WillowQ]

LOL APOLOGIES!! the number switched between 90 and 95 grams every few seconds! stinky boy is looking at the number too in this picture

View attachment 433802

“Does this angle make my butt look big?”
(He seems to be a rather dainty Quaker.)

my boy barbers and chews when he’s stressed, too. I mean, I’ve had sick Quakers pluck due to health issues but I’ve DEFINITELY seen them pluck from anxiety. And it’s surprising what might be upsetting to a little bird.

 

[sleepyteds]

Am I correct that he’s only plucking one leg? That makes me wonder if this is something physical, like leg pain from a one sided injury, or an internal issue causing pressure on a nerve (nerve pain). Mites are a very rare problem for indoor pet parrots.

My Quaker boy started on Harrison’s high potency diet and I think that kept him in really robust condition. I don’t recall what pellet he’s eating, but some brands do have a high potency formulation.

As Pixiebeak wrote, leg chewing and mutilation is a Quaker parakeet specific problem. But I would take to heart that he’s only plucking one leg bald and ask what’s going on with that leg. Note that adult parrots only have a functional sex organ on one side of the body. That might provide a clue.

it started with one leg on the first day we noticed it, but now its kinda all over the place! back, chest, and on his sides

hormonal activity was also definitely something on the table we discussed!

 

[sleepyteds]

“Does this angle make my butt look big?”
(He seems to be a rather dainty Quaker.)

my boy barbers and chews when he’s stressed, too. I mean, I’ve had sick Quakers pluck due to health issues but I’ve DEFINITELY seen them pluck from anxiety. And it’s surprising what might be upsetting to a little bird.

HAHA hes a very stinky dainty boy i love him to pieces and i want him to be okay i hope that this all isnt a huge health issue and it can be dealt with in time, im so worried about him

 

[WillowQ]

I hope so too.

Quakers are so lovable and have so much personality. It makes me concerned to hear about such localized or one sided plucking. Or is it on both sides now? If on both sides I’d feel a bit better; I know Quakers can pick from nerves as well as from health issues.

i have had Quakers for 30 yrs now and I’m not old. Guess I’m middle aged now. But they are such unique and clever little guys.

p.s. have you checked out the Quaker parakeet society (QPS)? There are some very knowledgeable people in QPS.

 

[sleepyteds]

awh yeah! i havent noticed anything on his other leg but ive noticed him plucking from multiple parts of his body now from all sides and not solely focused on the one leg. we were a bit concered about it being that single leg too at first, and at night too which is where our mites theory came from, but now it seems to be kind of all over the place and mites spray didnt do anything to help!

im 18 so still young LOL this is my first quaker! we got him when he was 2 months old back in 2018 and hes my little baby id do anything for him, and hes a little celebrity among my friend group everyone loves him and everyones really worried for him!

oooh i have not!! i will look into that in the morning for sure and see what people say in there!

 

[WillowQ]

Have you offered a bath in a bowl, or misting with a spray bottle? That could be helpful, too. I’m glad to hear he’s not just plucking on the right side. That made me pretty worried.
I got my first Quaker when I was 19 and I loved her so much. My Gonzo.

you can also look up the “Quaker parrot forum” for a discussion list mostly about Quakers. Quakers are known to pluck and chew feathers due to nerves/ stress as well as due to health issues. They are very smart little birds and need to have lots to do to be happy. That means toys to arrange or move, sticks or straws to carry and weave, etc…

 

[sleepyteds]

Have you offered a bath in a bowl, or misting with a spray bottle? That could be helpful, too. I’m glad to hear he’s not just plucking on the right side. That made me pretty worried.
I got my first Quaker when I was 19 and I loved her so much. My Gonzo.

you can also look up the “Quaker parrot forum” for a discussion list mostly about Quakers. Quakers are known to pluck and chew feathers due to nerves/ stress as well as due to health issues. They are very smart little birds and need to have lots to do to be happy. That means toys to arrange or move, sticks or straws to carry and weave, etc…

we tried a spray bottle but he was very scared, mostly because of his experience after the mote spray, so we don't want to push anything on him right now in case that would stress him out more

ill be looking into the forums today!! we got some papers and stuff for him to chew on which hes tried out as well!

 

[WillowQ]

we tried a spray bottle but he was very scared, mostly because of his experience after the mote spray, so we don't want to push anything on him right now in case that would stress him out more

ill be looking into the forums today!! we got some papers and stuff for him to chew on which hes tried out as well!

Leave him a bowl of water, or splash your fingers in a trickling sink and see if he wants to jump in. A bath might help. It probably didn’t help him to get crud on his feathers when so few pet birds pick due to mite infestation.
My birds have a Swan Recirculating Pet Waterer and they love it. The water trickles constantly like a faucet. They can’t resist hopping in and splashing.