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The first thing to do take your grey to an avian vet and have him/her checked out. It might be things like parasites in the intestinal tract, or simply improper nutrition. Usually, a veterinary visit would include blood work and a stool sample. After these things are ruled out, it is safe to say that the problem could be environmental or behavioral.

You should avoid smoking near your bird. Also, don't burn scented candles or have the "scent sprays" near your grey, as this could contribute to feather picking. It is important to have your bird in a "used" part of the house, but not the most chaotic area. It is important to give your bird the attention it needs.

Oftentimes, greys will pluck feathers out of boredom, so it is important to provide them with many stimulating toys. Providing a toy they can chew on keeps their beaks busy and away from their feathers. A good idea is to put fruits, vegetables, and nuts into a spinach leaf and tie it together with some twine, so it makes a little pouch. My grey loves to tear open the leaves to get to his treats. Other good ideas are putting branches, swings, and other things that can be torn up in the cage.

I got my African grey a while ago, and he had started plucking out of sexual frustration. He's also still maturing, so a hormonal surge is probably contributing to the problem. I bought a birdbath spray that contains "molt-ease" and the same type of oil that comes from their oil glands. I spray him entirely once a week, and just mist him a little in areas I notice he is plucking at. The spray relieves itching. I can tell my grey has new feathers coming in, and this can be uncomfortable for the bird. The natural tendency is to scratch and pluck, which only causes a cycle of itching and plucking. If you don't want to buy a spray, some water with a little aloe vera can do the trick.

Remember, having a grey is like choosing to have a little kid running around all the time. Imagine a kid in a playpen all day, with no interaction. It woulndn't be a healthy kid. It's the same with your bird. Take good care of him, make sure his diet is in order and gets plenty of attention. This should get your grey's feathers back on the road to a healthy shine.

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16y ago

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