Advice needed

[Harris]

Since Bella's incident on Saturday, she has continued to pluck her feathers, and has now almost completely removed the feathers from both legs! Other than this she seems perfectly ok, still eating well, calling and flapping around her aviary etc. But I'm starting to get worried about the feather plucking. At first i thought she was just sorting herself out by removing damaged or matted feathers and down, but she's now plucking good feathers. Do you think this could be stress related following Saturday? She is now looking so battered that I'm thinking that my season is over, as if anyone see's her they will be straight onto the RSPCA! as she looks totally neglected and abused! To be honest this is really upsetting me :cry:

If you haven't seen the thread about Saturday, its here.

http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/showthread.php?p=423417#post423417

[Misty]

It could well be stress. Whatever happened has obviously upset her dreadfully. Try some potent brew from Bird care co. Although it is only a probiotic (albeit a very potent one) I have always used this for stressed birds and they have always responded fantastically. The also do something called 'Guardian Angel' (why they have to have such naff names I never know!). This has got electrolytes etc to help a stressed or poorly bird and again, I have found it invaluable.
please keep us informed how you get on.
ps If you pay an extra £1 or so, Birdcareco will send it first class and you should get it next day. Ring them thoughm not do it online, as they don't always take orders offline immediately.

[Yarak]

I too think it is stress related. Unfortunately, once plucking starts its hard to stop. Maybe you should keep her dark and quiet like in the giant hood for a day or two. How is her appetite is her weight going up? If after a couple of days you have seen no improvement, you might try getting her out and doing some following. Anything to break the cycle. I just read the thread about Sat, what a strange event it must have been. As long as the folicles are not damaged they will replace the feathers. Blood supply will go up to facilitate it. Just like during the moult. Therefore I would begin to increase her weight accordingly. By then she is liable to have many feathers to replace. I am sorry for your misfortune.
Yarak

[GoodFooter]

Sounds like you've had a lot of bad luck. Read your thread and havent a clue what could have caused the problem....dont think it was a cat as with four feet full of claws & a mouth full of teeth I think she would have come out with some cuts. I would have thought she got hung up and bating on the ground and against the bow would have been more likely...still we'll probably not know.

I honestly dont know what is causing her to feather pluck. Have you tried distraction....maybe a rabbit head, beef bone or ....a bit of radio 4. If you decide to continue with her....I think the more you can hunt her the easier to manage she will be. Not sure if yo have leg bells on her ....if not one on each leg may also distract her plucking until she settles. If she hoods may stop her til she settles? Feel for you.
Rob

[Harris]

Heres some pics of Bella now, I just weighed her and she is up by 2 1/4oz since Saturday which is about right. The pics don't really do the damage justice, but compare them to the ones I took when I first found her and I think you'll agree that she does look better.

[Harris]

2 More.

[Misty]

she looks a great deal better than the first photos you posted. Has she stopped feather plucking yet? Try those bird care products. i swear by them and use them all the time. Also, they do a veterinary colloidal silver which is only about £7 or thereabouts but it's £40 if you buy it in a health store:!:

[Sprout]

Feather plucking is probably a stress response, difficult to combat but try giving her tiring, something to pull at and keep her occupied - also I'd get her flying asap again to try and break the cycle. She should fly fine with those feathers missing (hopefully temporary anyway).
One thing to keep an eye out for will be wing tip oedema - check the wing tips twice daily for the next few weeks, looking for cold, clammy, oedematous swellings.