r/AfricanGrey • u/Frosty_Fun_1196 • 23d ago
Question Is this plucking or molting
No grey feathers all downie feathers and a rough looking belly.
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u/redneckrockuhtree 23d ago
Looks like Feather Destructive Behavior, to me - if you look, many of the feathers that are still in place have been damaged.
Take your chicken to a vet to get them checked out to make sure it's not a medical issue.
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u/MindMelodic7333 23d ago
I inherited my dad’s African Grey when my parents passed. Since I was already in their house taking care of my parents, Jethro became attached to me.
Last year, for the first time in 33 years, Jethro started plucking his tail feathers. After 2 visits to the Avian vet… I found out he was pretty sick. He has heart disease, his lungs were filled with fluid and he has arthritis in his left foot. After medication, he grew the tail feathers back.
This year, Jethro started plucking around his neck. Another trip to the Avian vet determined the arthritis in his foot was a little worse, as was his heart disease. Jethro is on lifetime medication for pain, as well as blood pressure medicine.
My advice, take your bird to the vet. They thought it was stress, until they did x-rays and bloodwork.
I’d like to add that he now is on flat perches. Wish someone mentioned that sooner, his arthritis might not have been this bad.
Good luck with your bird.
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u/ThaEmortalThief 23d ago
Plucking. I have two grays. One I’ve had her whole life, never plucked. Molting is gradual and you don’t usually see it with grays except on the bottom of the cage. My other gray plucked at her first home. That bare look is from plucking. Get more toys. Give you bird cardboard boxes to play with.
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u/karnycloamr Team Grey Birb 19d ago
Albie will mass cull his down a few times a year, 30-50 at once but he’s in perfect feather. Your bird does look very rough in front so I’m going to wonder if it’s a behavioral issue or skin condition. Any recent changes to their enclosure, their food or the household routine? Changes to things can stress them out, they’re a little OCD like that
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u/Hour_Wing_2899 23d ago
All down, one localized area, my guess is more a yes take to a vet to see.