| Sela's Story Sela was my first Normal Grey offspring during my 2003 breeding season. At just 4 weeks of age, I knew this chick was a keeper. When I suspected at 6 weeks, this was a hen, I was over-joyed. Sela was split only to Whiteface and would be a huge asset to my rare breeding's. She matured into a long, typy bird with beautiful conformation. For my breeding program, Sela was the ultimate hen. In the fall of 2005, I took Sela to a cockatiel show. She was now 2 years old and just coming into her maturity. However, Sela stressed over the traveling and appeared to be a bit high strung while at the show. In spite of her anxiety, Sela placed 4Th on the Novice bench. I was very pleased but wondered how well Sela would adjust to traveling and being shown. Once home and settled, Sela seemed to be just fine. About a week after that show, I noticed Sela had started plucking her chest feathers. Within 10 days, Sela was bald on her chest. I wondered if it was hormonal and decided to set Sela up for breeding. Unfortunately, this did not help and Sela continued plucking herself. She eventually graduated to plucking her back side and underneath her wings. (We ruled out possible health issues, such as parasites) In 2006, I tried one popular remedy with semi-moderate success. Once I discontinued the remedy after 2 months, Sela began plucking again. Currently, I have set out to try once again and break Sela of this feather plucking habit. I have come across some information and ideas from other bird fancier's, who are having success re-feathering birds in much worse shape than my Sela. The theme appears to be in using products that act as an analgesic relief and eliminate harmful bacteria, inflammatory skin disease and also feather fungus. The other product is using anything aloe based. This helps keep the skin moist and supple as new feathers emerge. There is also use of all natural stress relievers, that help the bird shed anxiety and stay calm during the re-feathering process. For this, Sela is on Rescue Remedy (Bach Flower) I also began using Aloe Detox in Sela's soft foods, which will help benefit her overall health. Our regimen began with triple filtering of our water supply. I change the water twice a day and add two drops of Rescue Remedy to 8.oz of water. I have started misting Sela every morning with a product by Avi-X, called Soother Spray, (This acts as the analgesic) Then in the afternoon, I use a product by Avi-X, called Bird Rain, which promotes healthy feathers, moisture and natural comfort to the skin. Each of these products contain aloe. The third product by Avi-X is called the Sunshine Factor, a natural food source of Red Palm Fruit Oil. This is fed to Sela in scrambled eggs 4 times a week, (her favorite!) The benefits restore health to the skin and feathers. Please note: Avi-X Soother spray is intended for a 10-14 day treatment period only. Special note: If you cannot afford the products I've mentioned, you may try this remedy also with similar success: Dilute 2 tbsp. of blue Listerine into 1 quart of filtered water. This solution will act as an analgesic and provide relief. Mist the bird a couple times a day. For healing and moisture, dilute 2 tbsp. of additive-free, steam-distilled Aloe Vera Juice in 1 quart of filtered water. Mist the bird with this solution also a couple times a day. Keeping the feathers moist helps prevent the bird from plucking. Sela is now 10 days into our regimen. She has large pin feathers emerging on her back and underneath her wings. I am extremely happy with our progress. Her chest area is slowly starting to show some improvement as well. She appears to be much calmer and is also more bright-eyed. Her skin had been hot to the touch prior to our regimen but now her skin feels much cooler. While we have a long way to go in this process, I am optimistic that I can improve Sela's overall well-being. I can only hope that her newly brightened eyes express a happier, more comfortable bird now. Watch here for Sela's progress and picture updates. For any bird that plucks and causes feather destruction, please seek medical advise prior to any home remedies. Update, July 20Th, 2007 Sela is now 17 days into our re-feathering regimen. Above are two new pictures displaying Sela's new feather growth and emerging pins on her chest. She is showing so much improvement! We have altered our regimen just a bit in the last week. So, we are misting Sela every morning with the Listerine solution, followed by George's Aloe Spray. We repeat this again in the afternoon. Every other day, Sela is misted with the Avi-X Soother Spray. We continue to add the Sunshine Factor in Sela's soft food and also the Aloe Detox. To avoid build up from the solution sprays, I am bathing Sela with bird shampoo once a week. I will try and add pictures to show all of the products in Sela's regimen. Best Wishes~ NJM c.NJM 2007 |
Feather Restoration
