[Azale]

So I went home for the weekend for Thanksgiving, and I came back and I noticed a lot of feathers at the bottom of Hanzo's cage. He didn't have any pins, so I am presuming he is plucking.
He doesn't have any bald spots yet, but he does have areas where he is missing his green.
I've rotated toys around his cage, got him some shredding toys, I checked his feathers to make sure there weren't any growing in funny. I have no idea what happened, or how to stop it.
I would like to take him to the vet, but if I don't have to, I'd rather not. Sadly I don't have another $200 for another vet visit...
He just went to the vet last month for a check up and he was declared healthy, and I took the lovebird to the vet for a checkup and he was also healthy, so I don't think the lovie spread it to him.
Another scenario could be that Hanzo saw the lovebird plucking (since the lovebird plucks), do you think he might have imitated him?
I'm so worried, I don't know what to do!

[LocoLogan]

Perhaps he picked it up from the lovebird. Hopefully he was just bored and missed you. If he seems to keep it up, I would probably have him checked out by the vet. But as you said you bought him some chew toys, and some shred toys hopefully that helps. Best of luck!

[TariAngie]

Some health issues take a while to show up in our birds. That is why even with a vet visit new birds should be QT ed no less then 30 days preferable 45 days.
Did the vet to blood work on the quaker? Not sure on what but there are things to look for that only blood work well tell when a bird plucks.
How often do you bath him? Anything new that he can see? Toys ect...
I am having some luck with a tiel that is at the farm where I work with aloe Vera misting. You have to use pure aloe juice with no additives. I bought some that people drink. Vera (the tiel) has new feathers in just two weeks of bathing. Maybe you can try that. And at least call the vet see what they say they did when you went in.
I know it is heart breaking but some birds just pluck. My Dandy had plucked for so long before I even got him that the feathers will not grow back. I have slown it down but don't think Ill ever get him to stop. He even wore a collar for 6 months but I only did that cause he was taking out skin when I first got him. That I did stop.

[Azale]

The vet did do blood work, hence the vet bill was SO expensive >.>
And he came back normal.
He gets bathed often, almost every other day. Is too much bath bad?
He loves it so much, so I give it to him.
I'm just praying he'll stop soon.

[TJ Maj's Mom]

Can you confirm he IS plucking? My Maj is going through a hardcore molt this time around and there are TONS of feathers everywhere. I sure hope everything turns out fine with your baby wish I could offer more advise. Best wishes!

[Amy G.]

I am actually taking Alex to the vet tomorrow because I think she is either plucking or is having a hard molt. I too am worried, so I thought it would be good to make a vet visit. alex is 2 years old......I hope everything is ok!

[Carrie~Anne]

Sometimes at the start of a molt, you won't notice any pin feathers.

If he seems healthy otherwise (not lethargic, eating well, ect), then I would hold out and see what the next week or two brings.

[TJ Maj's Mom]

When in doubt never second guess taking your baby to the vet! I'd rather you be safe than sorry. Please keep us updated!

I just wanted to tell you that my baby is having a very bad molt this go around and what is so strange is my baby has become a sweety with me as of late instead of the nasty green devil he can be.

[Azale]

True, he might be going through another molt.
The reason I think he is plucking is all the feathers near the tips look more ragged than his feathers during a usual molt. Plus his tail feathers are going... one by one
They just came in, so I doubt they would molt out so soon!