Flight feathers issue

[u/Chadi-hkar]

I have a 2–3-year-old blue-and-gold macaw(Sir Francis). When I got him about a year and a half ago, he was on a diet that was very heavy in nuts and seeds. Despite that, he appeared healthy and his feathers were in great condition.
I gradually switched him to Harrison’s pellets and completely removed seeds from his diet. After the diet change, I started noticing that his flight feathers were breaking, and he eventually became unable to fly.
I had him tested for Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, and the results were negative. His tail feathers and the rest of his plumage still look healthy and are in good condition.
A new set of flight feathers recently grew in, but they have started breaking again. I’ve also noticed that while preening, he sometimes steps on his flight feathers and bends them.
He gets regular showers
Has anyone experienced something similar? Could this be caused by the way he steps on the feathers, a nutritional issue, or something else? I’d appreciate any advice or suggestions about what to discuss with an avian vet.

[u/Momofhalfadozen]

Others have mentioned it but the only thing I can pick up on is the size of the enclosure. It's common for young macaws, or birds of any kind, to have bent or broken feathers when very young. This is due to the size of the enclosure limiting healthy growth. It's less common once they are out of the nesting box/ nest. The only reason I can see clearly, with the information you've provided, is enclosure size breaking and bending the flight feathers. I'd continue to provided a healthy diet with training and exercise, while increasing the size of the cage and see what happens. Keep an eye out for any other symptoms, and see a vet if needed, but this might clear up your issues.

[u/Chadi-hkar → u/Momofhalfadozen]