Ask Lafeber

Tail feathers

We bought a cockatiel who had no tail feather although it did in the photo that was taken to put him up for sale. We have had him about 6- 8 weeks and there is no sign of it growing back. Will it grow back or has he lost them forever? We was told they fell out in his moult, but we aren’t sure as they haven’t grown back. Can we give him any supplements to help it grow back? We don’t have any avian vets around for about 4 hour drive. What can we do? We were told he is young 6-8 months but he is always fluffed up and sleepy not like all the others in the same cage of all similar ages.

Hi,

It sounds like he isn’t feeling well. As for the feathers, if they are broken, they won’t grow back until he molts the broken feathers. If they were pulled out completely, they should start growing back in soon. But I am concerned he is not healthy and needs to be seen by an Avian Vet, even if that means a long drive. Unfortunately, traveling to take a bird to a vet is common because there aren’t a lot of bird vets.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda