Ask the Vet webinar – Grey feather destructive behavior
“This is Pat and
I first want to thank you and tell everyone involved in putting this program on, how much it is loved and appreciated.
I have 2 female Timneh African Grays, one about 8 and the other about 6. Just about a year ago the older one started to shred her tail and wing feathers. Not plucking them only shredding them. Vet said she was doing that to make a nest and it was a hormonal problem. For about 6 months we did hormone shots every 3 to 4 weeks. She would let her feathers grow out so far and then shred them. I also researched and made sure she did not get any fruit or vegetables that were known to increase hormone production. Stopped the shots 3 months ago and there has been no change in her behavior, no worst nor no better. At first she was a little off balance because of the tail feathers but does OK now. My concern is that she does not have any long wing feathers to slow down or break a fall and if this continues that it might go from shredding to plucking. “