Self-plucking Green Cheek, Help!

[GldnValleyHens]

I have a 2 year old Green Cheek Conure, Chili, who has for the past months, been plucking himself bald. I contributed most of it to his molt, which he was actually going through it seemed, but now his molt is over, and he was growing in feathers over his bald chest slowly, until recently when I discovered he has began plucking himself again, taking out the new chest feathers of yellow, green and red. I hate this! He is such a pretty bird, and maybe it is because he is stressed for attention? I have tried to get him out more of his spacious cage in my bedroom, at least 10-20 minutes if I can and snuggle with him while I read, but usually I am busy doing other things and he is not allowed downstairs because he is so messy and poops on the floor. Will feathery toys help? He has the companionship of a young budgie, who tries to make friends but Chili attacks him.

 

[Pyxis]

So he's in his cage all the time except for 10 or 20 minutes a day? Do you know the dimensions of his cage? What is is diet like? Does he have a lot of toys that are rotated frequently to keep him amused?

 

[Featheredfluffs]

I have a 2 year old Green Cheek Conure, Chili, who has for the past months, been plucking himself bald. I contributed most of it to his molt, which he was actually going through it seemed, but now his molt is over, and he was growing in feathers over his bald chest slowly, until recently when I discovered he has began plucking himself again, taking out the new chest feathers of yellow, green and red. I hate this! He is such a pretty bird, and maybe it is because he is stressed for attention? I have tried to get him out more of his spacious cage in my bedroom, at least 10-20 minutes if I can and snuggle with him while I read, but usually I am busy doing other things and he is not allowed downstairs because he is so messy and poops on the floor. Will feathery toys help? He has the companionship of a young budgie, who tries to make friends but Chili attacks him.

A green cheek conure should be out at least 2 hours each day, not 20 minutes!

Can you try potty training him? I mean, birds will be messy, but that's what you signed up for when you got him...


A vet visit is also in order, as the problem may be related to medical issues as well.

Hope he gets better!

 

[GldnValleyHens]

He is somewhat potty-trained, and will usually poop on command into the trash. He is getting a lot better since my lastpost, and his feathers are growing back in. I added some new toys and let him out to play for a while and eat on the top of his cage, which has a built in play gym. Yeah 2 hours is what they say I know, and I have been trying to do that as much I can.

 

[peacockfeather]

If the plucking behavior continues, try Pluck No More! I have personally had success with it and it's completely herbal.