[Amy G.]

Hey Everyone!
I know it's been a long time since I've posted...It's a long story...I'm save that for later...Anyway, I'm worried about Alex. I noticed the other day that she is bald under her chest, and I noticed that she has lots of pin feathers on her head. Usually when she molts, she never looses this many feathers. Can they loose that many feathers? I have never seen her actually pull a feather out. Two weeks ago we were out of town, and there was non one at the house....She had plenty of food and water....Could this have stressd her out. I'm taking her to the vet Friday afternoon...She is eating well and very active and talking, but i'm worried about her...She looks funny to me.........

[Casey's Mom]

I don't think there should be any bald patches when she's molting. If she's actually missing feathers and there are naked patches, it sounds more like plucking... not sure though.

When you were out of town did you have someone come over to watch her?

I'm sure someone else will have some more ideas...

Let us know what the vet says.

...and Welcome back!

[Amy G.]

I'm just not sure what to do.....She doesn't seem upset.....I mist admit that i have been working lots of hours lately, and sometimes I don't get to get her out as much as I would like, but she never sqawks.....She always seems cheerful......

[sgtcluck]

It is a good thing that you are taking her to the vet. I understand how you have been busy and not giving her enough time, but just give her good quality time when you can. Give her plenty of scrithes and kisses. It could have stressed her out when you left her alone especially if she is not used to being alone. I pray that all goes well with the vet.

[Amy G.]

Thank you so much! I know that birds don't show sings of sickness until they are really sick. I just hope it's not too late....She never sits at the bottom of the cage...always at the top......It's like she has little bumps under her chest where she should have feathers. Also, I forgot to mention that I have a poodle that is 16 years old and is blind. She sometimes has accidents under the bird cage...could this affect alex. We mop under there all the time, but the plastic that is under the cage tends to get messy and stinky...We have to take it outise and wash it alot. Could she have some type of bacterial infection or would she be sicker? I with that the vet could see me sooner, but tomorrow she is in surgery and today they close at 12, and I don't get off until 3.....And Friday I don't get off until 3, so they said that I could come at 4..........

[Carrie~Anne]

I'm glad you've got a vet appointment for her, because this doesn't sounds like molting. Like Zena said, there should be no bald spots when molting, no matter how heavy a molt it is. Considering you were gone for so long, it wouldn't surprise me if Alex has started to pluck. She could of been doing it out of boredom and not that you're back, she may have stopped.

Keep a close eye on her for signs of plucking (most birds will make a squeek when they pull a feather out).

Let us know how the visit goes, Amy.

[Andie Wan Kenobi]

She could be going through what is called a hard molt. Now that Alex is a bit older it is more likely to happen.

[Amy G.]

I definitely will......I don't think I've ever heard her squeak, but she may be doing it when I'm not there........I'm just worried....

[Amy G.]

Yeah, she is two years old now. I was wondering if that's what it was, but the baldness is just scaring me. I don't think there are anymore feathers on the floor like there were this weekend, and I still haven't seen her pluck any. She seems very content. This afternoon, I let her out for two hours...She loved it!

[Sandi Kiwis Mom]

I am glad that you are taking her to the Vet. Please let us know

[Amy G.]

I will....Tomorrow is the day......

[Amy G.]

Tomorrow's the day..........

[MicheleB]

saying a lil prayer for your baby to get better

[Cantab]

So.. how is Alex today then any change?

[Majj]

I hope Alex is doing o.k hugs and best wishes from across the miles...

[Frankie's Mom]

Ok, so I am still not clear on how long you were gone, what or who the bird was left with, and why it wasn't boarded or had a caretaker assigned? Forgive me please if I missed this info, as I am just now rereading the thread after the post about the vet visit.

[Amy G.]

Ok....so I know that I did wrong by doing this, so I ask all of your forgiveness....I went to Nashville for 4 days....At the time my grandmtoher was in ths hospital, and she usually takes care of Alex.....There was no one home.....I don't know why I didn't think about boarding her I know that is no excuse....I was going to Nashville to do a showcase (sing) I guess I had so much on my mind.....So, I left the radio on, I had two food dishes full of food for Alex, and two water bottles...big ones.......So, thatis what happened. If you really want to knoe the truth the whole thing is my fault. I let her for four days with no one there, and this is when she start plucking......I have learned my lesson though. The vet that I take her to now boards birds, so the next time I leave, I am going to board her. They seem really nice there, and I trust then. So, that is what happened......