Red Factor African Grey Or Follicle-damaged AG?

Factors In Parrots Mean Color Variations

If You Are Adopting An African Grey Parrot, How Do You Know If It Is Really A Red Factor?

 
If you are looking to adopt an African Grey (AG), you have to be careful about being sold a ‘red factor’ AG. They tend to cost more money, which is true to form in the sense that breeders have less parrots that are unique colors. It can take several generations to create color variations – or factors- in parrots. So, a higher price is fair.
African Grey parrots are, of course, grey, white and red. But not pink…
There are some legitimate red-factor parrots, and some parrots with feather-follicle damage.
One of my avian veterinarians said that no, there’s nothing detrimental about an African Grey having damaged feathers or plucking. It’s like you having a bald spot. Not attractive on an AG, but often it just looks bad.

If your pet is at home and plucks, obviously he or she won’t be cold or anything. However, it is super-important to dig into what is causing your parrot to pluck. There could be a variety of reasons, including health issues. (go to https://parrotbliss.com/why-do-african-grey-parrots-pluck-their-feathers/ to read about causes for plucking and some things you can do to try to remedy it).

 

Red Color Or Damage?

Not all feathers are created from breeding -some are due to follicle damage…
 
Photos: Natural red factor or damaged follicles?
 
In the pics, Venus, Adonis and Hera are illustrating their red feathers for us.
Adonis has all her feathers (yeah, I thought she was male… but DNA tests says female), but has a red feather or two in her neck. In the picture, she is all fluffed up watching TV with us.
I adopted ALL my AGs as adults – PLUCKED. Adonis is the exception – but Venus and Hera have always been plucked. It is very difficult to break an AG of this habit, but I try. Here’s a blog I researched and wrote on why African Greys pluck and things you can do try to stop them.
Venus is in the picture eating notes from the group I coach – hopefully, I won’t have to refer back to these! Venus plucks her neck; you may notice that there is a bald spot right at her throat. You can also see the light feather below that bald spot and there is a light colored feather on the back of her neck.
The close up of Hera’s feathers and the photo of Hera, who I adopted as a ‘red factor’ show that she has the most follicle damage.

Side note: My phylosophy with parrots is that, if I can handle it, I don’t mind the parrot I adopt being sick or having an issue. Life isn’t perfect, I don’t expect my parrots to be perfect either. Just because they aren’t perfectly healthy – which is sometimes due to a person’s lack of caring or know-how – doesn’t mean that I should reject them. I feel the opposite way; I’ve learned a lot from my mentor and I’m grateful to be able to restore their health whenever possible. I knew Hera was not a red factor; I adopted her because I wanted her in my flock. My avian vet did a wellness exam and agreed that she needs caring for, but is not red-factor and needs some TLC, but her plucking is just cosmetic.

How Can You Tell The Difference Between Red Factor Feathers & Damaged Feathers?

If you look at the pictures closely, you’ll see that Hera and Venus’ damaged feathers aren’t RED, they are varied and dull or faded. There are also some feathers that are part grey and part pink/faded red and white.

In my layman terms, the follicles are ‘confused.’

All of their grey feathers and tail feathers are consistently grey and red; the feathers, like on their head, that are grey with white edges look uniform, consistent and like they were designed this way. Feathers from the damaged follicles sometimes have inconsistent shapes and the colors look accidental and random or chaotic.

Unfortunately, caring for parrots has been far more involved – and rewarding- than caring for my cats and dogs. Perhaps it is because cats and dogs have been domesticated for so much longer; they just seem to easily and happily live with us. Parrots, on the other hand, are challenging. Each species has specific dietary requirements, which can vary to a almost no-fat diet with Amazons all the way to a heavy nut diet for Macaws and African Greys. They also require fresh foods daily, like carrots and other fresh vegetables. Parrots are intelligent and require more engagement than cats and dogs do. It is common to hear experts say that parrots require that you constantly buy them toys and/or provide enrichment (Video on What Is Enrichment on YouTube). Yes, parrots need to exercise their wings, their beaks (by chewing wood and nuts) and their minds. Yes, you have to figure out how to give them something to figure out! Dog’s are a man’s best friend (and a woman’s, no?) but parrots are a person’s demanding partner and companion who will outlive two, three or maybe even four dog’s lives.

When a parrot’s physical, emotional and mental needs aren’t met, they can run into physical or emotional health issues- and plucking can be either. So, while I don’t think it’s “bad” to have a parrot that plucks – not ideal, of course – I do think it is important to try to restore their well-being.

We had had a Green-cheeked Conure who had sezisures (she had been given to us because she had neurological damage so that she couldn’t fly and couldn’t use her feet too well). Our research led us to create a CBD oil for parrots in hemp oil, which has the correct balance of Omega 3’s and 6’s. So, I’m using this for Hera (and her partner Zeus, who we also adopted as a plucker). I’m intending for it to calm them if they feel any stress (which my Amazons or Macaws may cause) and to help give them the proper fat balance.

Additionally, I’m giving them time out in the sun and fresh air. Turns out, Mother Nature may have more floating in the air that will do them some good than you may have guessed.

We’ve been giving Venus time outdoors for several months and we are having a harder time figuring out which is Venus and which is Adonis when we look their way because some of Venus’ feathers are growing back. Hera had been on eggs, so now that she’s not, she and Zeus are receiving the same sun and air treatment and I can’t wait to see if it improves their plucking status!

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Plucking Saga Continued: Using Different Strategies To Stop My African Greys From Plucking

How Parrots Are Like Goats – What?

They say ruminants “chew the cud” – well, parrots bite the wood. It IS what parrots do.
 
That makes my parrot-keeper life challenging. I don’t have a lot of trees around me… I’m in a neighborhood. There are houses, not fruit trees. Bummer. Here in Florida a lot of houses have fruit trees in their back yard, but not here…
Foiled!
 

Actually, It’s A Frond, A Palm ‘Leaf.’ So, AGs 🦜 Were Fronded!

Today I cut a frond from our front yard for Zeus and Hera – at first I think they were taken by surprise, but then they did some killing of the frond!
Trying to get Zeus and Hera to stop plucking their feathers is like trying to keep people from eating sugar! 🍬

It’s A Hard Habit To Beak, Oh, Break!

It is said that once a parrot has been plucking for about a month… they generally don’t stop. Interesting when you consider that humans are said to develop habits when they do the same thing for about a month and a half – sounds like parrots are the same.
Why it is that they, my African Grey, parrots will let their feathers grow out and then pluck them I’m not sure… I guess it doesn’t matter. They pluck!
Mine may be an uphill battle because I adopted them this way. I can’t guess how long they have been plucking or what their previous experiences were like. Instead, I’m just doing what I can. I’m working on providing enrichment, the palm frond. I’m giving them CBD and hemp oil, since hemp has the right balance of omega 3:6 (for humans, I’m guessing the same is true for parrots) and CBD is supposed to help calm them. My mentor said that, since Zeus plucked some of Hera’s feathers (No! don’t pluck her! She doesn’t need more feathers taken out!), he’s probably stressed out. Ugh!
I’m doing what I can, but I have some circumstances I can’t remedy at this time:
  • Their cage is the minimum size, or larger, but I dream of providing them with an aviary or at least a lot more space. I give them the option to come out during the day, but I have a Macaw.
  • African Greys like peace and quiet, not Macaws. In case you aren’t familiar, Macaws are the exact opposite of ‘peace and quiet.’ I exaggerate, but not much. African Greys are chill, mellow. Macaws are not.
  • Like any other parrot, African Greys love natural things: branches, palm seeds/pods (and I’ve got little palms, but not much- mostly grassy lawns, of course)

It may be that they will always pluck. This is one problem with getting adult parrots, their ways could already be set in stone. Still, we try. And work on it. And try again.

By Kalyn
Author, The Parrot Bliss Bond, available on Amazon Books & Kindle
Join Us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/ParrotBliss/
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Different Things To Try If Your Parrot Plucks Feathers, Like My African Grey

A Couple Things You Can Try If Your Parrot Plucks It’s Feathers

Zeus and his feather plucking update:
 
I still haven’t ruled out that Zeus may be plucking due to medical-skin issues (read about the different reasons African Greys pluck: https://parrotbliss.com/why-do-african-grey-parrots-pluck-their-feathers/).
 
The vet had said to give it a while – so I’m focusing on two things: CBD oil and giving him more things to focus his beakly interest towards!
 
See the box with the hole and bites on it behind him in the picture of him on his cage?
 
Plucking is hard to break, but we’re trying!
The idea behind the box is that they are similar to ruminants who like to chew the cud; parrots like to peal branches. Often.
We don’t have a lot of branches and trees available — branches should be pesticide-free, should be non-toxic plants/branches and I’m not comfortable with “dirty” wood or plants that have mold or anything on them.This limits what I have for them– greatly.
Have you ever seen a cat play with a paper bag? The parrots seem like this, but with cardboard boxes. I try to make sure they don’t have ink/labels with tape or anything that may be toxic if they bite it. I try to give them “clean” boxes…
If nothing else, between the CBD oil and a focus on engagement via something to peal and peck, we’ll be giving them more engagement!
—
Read Why Do African Grey Parrots Pluck Their Feathers to learn more about why African Grey’s Pluck.
By Kalyn
Author, The Parrot Bliss Bond, available on Amazon Books & Kindle

Join Us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/ParrotBliss/
Or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFYH9z5cP9XXOta6m1KNRA

🦜 Z&H – AGs That Pluck, Going To Try CBD Oil

The 🦜 Z&H Chronicles will begin!

 
So, Zeus & Hera — African Grey’s, of course — pluck.
 
When I got them, they were this way- and I see less missing feathers than there used to be. I believe they have improved – but still, pluck.
 

Time for CBD!

I gave some of our CBD (we sell CBD for parrots and cats/dogs) to Tony Silva, who is a world-renowned parrot expert. He said it’s helped with his Hyacinth macaw and that when I visit soon I’ll see how good the macaw is looking.
Yay!
 
We used CBD on Tink, because our sweet Green-cheeked Conure has seizures due to nerve damage (from before we had her). Now I’m going to track use on Zeus and Hera.
 

🦜 Z&H

In the photo: Zeus and Hera are now in “smaller” cages, each has there own because Zeus was pulling Hera’s feathers out! Poor girl was going to be bald soon – agh!
 
I put there cages outside in the morning to let them relax in the chill breeze, light rain today and so that they can enjoy the fresh air, as they watch the sky and pond. Their cage doors are opened; sometimes they come out or not. Eventually they usually do. Hera walks around outside or comes in the sliding glass door and looks for a box, or a book, to shred. All in a day’s shredin’
 
They have each had their own space for about a month and the time apart must be making their hearts grow fonder because they started feeding each other last night (but then went back to their own cages to turn in) and today Hera went over to Zeus’!
 
Ah, young, feathered love!

Why Do African Grey Parrots Pluck Their Feathers?

Zeus, My African Grey, The (Chest)-Featherless King of the Gods

Meet Zeus, who loves to meow, before or after I say, “What sound does a kitty make?”

Yes, Zeus is a plucker. I adopted him this way, so I don’t know his history, what he was fed or how long he’s plucked. What I do know is that plucking is common in African Grey (AG) parrots. In an attempt to help Zeus, I’ve researched- and I’m finding that feather plucking in any parrot comes down to 3 basic causes: 1) medical reasons, 2) psychological reasons or 3) environmental causes. In English, 1) causes only the avian vet will find/address, 2) they are unhappy/emotionally imbalanced or 3) their food/cage is missing something.

 

So Your AG Plucks – What To Do?

Zeus & Hera, his mate

Since Tony Silva says in his book (Psittaculture) that 50% of parrots that pluck do so as a result of psychological or environmental causes, the first thing to do is double check your AG’s environment:

  1. 🥗 DIET
    One significant cause of any health problem for any parrot is a poor diet. In the wild, parrots will eat up to 100 different things in a year (as per Psittaculture). Hopefully you know that feeding your parrot a seed-based diet is terrible for them – and can cause several deficiencies; a pellet diet is better, but it is 1 flavor. They are accustomed to hundreds. And micro-nutrients do not live in pellets, so vegetables are a must for a healthy diet. A lack of calcium can occur in AGs, and can cause the feather plucking.
  2. NO SMOKE🚬 🚫
    Make sure there is no one smoking in the home -and- that smoker’s hands aren’t in proximity of your AG. Yes, it stays on your hand and apparently affects’m.
  3. NO SCENT💨
    Make sure no scents are present in your home: no scented candles, air fresheners… parrots are very sensitive to scents. They are accustomed to the cleanest air high up in trees or flying in the sky.
  4. 🏡CAGE COMFORT
    Check their happiness state in their cage. A lot of people think it is inhumane to keep a parrot caged all of the time – but it depends on the parrot. Some WANT to be in the comfort of their own safe space. Their home is clean, has fresh food, water and entertainment (hopefully!) Who wouldn’t want that? Others want to explore and want OUT of their cage during the day. If your AG wants out, then you may need to asses his/her cage/home. Make sure your AG has something to stimulate and entertain his/her super-intelligent mind. AGs are as smart as apes – they can use tools, they are multilingual and they can figure out puzzles. A bored parrot, especially an AG, with nothing to chew, nothing to watch or do can turn to their own feathers. Parrots need wood to destroy. I’ve seen videos of them digging in dirt, they can be active! I believe they are nature’s gardeners, preening wood, leaves… It keeps them engaged and entertained. It’s not easy, because you can’t give them a wood that is too hard to chew. Or one that is poisonous. Or has pesticides. I also wouldn’t do one with mold.
    So, they constantly need new toys, training (engagement) …. If your AG is plucking, up your game in your offerings and see if that helps.
  5. 🎵A CALM ENVIRONMENT
    One of the greatest things about AGs, in my opinion, is that they sing, whistle and engage you – but they don’t scream all day long. They are calm and pensive parrots. Make sure they aren’t near loud birds, like Macaws or Conures. See that there is no construction close by or a dog barking at them. Eliminate anything that might be making them feel nervous or uneasy. I always give all of my parrots a nesting box or a ‘hidden space,’ like a cozy, for them to sleep in or get away in. Like us, sometimes they want a little peace and quiet in their bedroom, undisturbed. I even try to cover some of the entrance to their box so that they feel they have privacy.
  6. 💛 Love
    Don’t forget, parrots are emotionally intelligent and extremely social. This means that they require social companionship; they require a bonded pair. In my flock, I have very few single parrots. I like for our parrots to always have at least one housemate, another parrot they can bond with, or several. If you have just one AG, he or she may not have enough of your time and attention to be in balance. It is almost impossible for us, as humans, to be with them all of the time; it is even hard for us to spend several hours a day with our parrots. Experts say that an AG keeper should spend 3, 4 or more hours a day with their parrot! Consider a mate. Sometimes this alone will stop the plucking.
  7. 🌧️ OFFER RAIN
    Another common cause – a lack of rain in their cage! Parrots can get dry skin, which can lead to medical issues, but can also just make them itchy and cause them to pluck out their feathers. Offer mist. Parrots love water, so place a bowl at the bottom of their cage they can bathe in – and, yes, it will make a mess for you to clean- or mist them, offering them a shower at least 3 times a week, preferably daily.

 

TAKE’M TO THE VET

I’m not a fan of taking my parrots to the vet every time they sneeze because the stress of going to the vet could be worse than my trying to help my parrots at home. However, if your African Grey or Cockatoo (or any other parrot) is plucking out it’s feathers, the cause may be something that only your avian veterinarian can identify and treat. Work with your veterinarian to try to improve the issue. So, here are some causes (as per my research) and then some corrections you or you and your avian vet can look to try:

HARI’s (Hagen Aviacultural Research Institue)  checklist:

  • Diet evaluation and details of your AG’s history (health, lifestyle, behavior, feather condition, etc.) is the primary objective to explore
  • Possible compromised feather structure could trigger the damaging behavior
  • Preening education and skill level
  • Obesity can trigger feather damaging behavior
  • Health of the feet: Sore feet due to arthritis, pododermatitis, etc. may make it difficult to preen efficiently
  • Parasites: May cause disease and discomfort, pruritus.
  • Toxins: Water, cage metal, and toy quality should be taken into consideration as these can also lead to feather damaging behaviorGenetic predispositions
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Feather hygiene, frequent misting or bathing is imperative
  • Environmental factors such as indoor heating (dry skin), cigarette smoke, cooking oils, etc.
  • Viral diseases
  • Hormones should be monitored and managed

The question to ask: Is the feather-damaging behavior self-induced or from another source?

As per Tony Silva in “Psittaculture,” 50% of plucking parrots (not just AGs) show no discernible medical cause.

Psychological issues include things like boredom, anxiety/stress, jealousy, frustration, exaggerated preening, lack or loss of a mate, inability to adapt to a new cage. It is believed that the most common causes of plucking are diet or a lack of bathing/humidity.

For African Greys a low blood calcium level can be the dietary lack, coupled with cage boredom. In general AG’s are prone to a vitamin A deficiency, so if you have AG’s be sure to give them a lot of calcium and orange veggies, like carrots or sweet potatoes. Calcium can be easy – take your breakfast eggshells, wash them and then bake them for 20 minutes at 200 degrees (so that they are clean of any bacteria). They will be dry and ‘crispy’ – break them up (I have a mortar and pestal for this) and place them in a separate bowl in your cage or sprinkle them on their morning veggies.

What Are We Doing For Zeus?

Zeus Eating Calcium

Truth is AGs need lots of vitamin A and calcium. So, I’m going to try to SHOVE carrots and eggshells down his throat! Just kidding, but seriously, I am going to try to make some birdie-bread with carrots and/or sweet potato and finely-ground eggshells in them.

I also plan to up my game – even tho I haven’t had him for a long time, and I am guessing he’s been plucking his feathers for some time, I am going to increase the toys in his cage. Since Zeus’s chest is naked but the rest of him is not, I’m guessing he doesn’t have a medical issue. And, Hera is on eggs, so a trip to the vet is out of the question right now. The most likely cause is psychological, dietary or sanitary. He’s bored, needs vitamin A and needs daily misting – or all of the above. 

Zeus is amazing! At night he says “Night-night!” and he dances when I sing to him or play music. He also clicks along to music – so he needs engagement. He likes my husband and nipped at me… so I’m cautious. Still, I’ll plan on trying to spend more time with him when I don’t feel it will take away from Hera’s safety.

One of the challenges with Zeus is that I won’t know what is working, if his feathers improve, for a long time, since their feathers don’t always grow out right away. Until this improves, I will take comfort in thinking that, if I improve his diet and engagement, missing feathers doesn’t have to compromise him in any way; I don’t see that he is vulnerable. Note: there is no smoke, scents or other threats of any kind in the house, so these I’ve already taken off my list. If it is just a habit at this point, there may be nothing I can do. 

Wish Zeus, the King of the Parrot-Gods (at least in his mind) luck!

Kalyn

Author, The Parrot Bliss Bond, available on Amazon Books & Kindle

Join Us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/ParrotBliss/
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Research sources:https://hari.ca/parrots-with-feather-damaging-behavior/
Tony Silva, Psittaculture, A Manual for the Care and Breeding of Parrots