Lovebirds have a serious condition called feather plucking.You may not know what to do if you notice your birds missing feathers or plucking their feathers.An underlying medical problem is one of the reasons for feather plucking.Take your lovebird to the vet if they want to stop plucking their feathers.Make sure they have plenty of enrichment so they are not bored and look for any changes in their routine.
Step 1: Take your lovebird to the vet.
If your lovebird is plucking out its feathers in a way that leaves bald spots, you need to take it to an animal hospital as soon as possible.Stress or a medical condition can cause feather plucking.Your vet can help you figure it out.It may not turn into a habit if you treat the feather plucking early.It is important to seek medical treatment immediately.There are a number of medical conditions that can cause feather plucking.Your vet can perform a variety of tests to diagnose your bird's condition.
Step 2: Do you know your bird's diet?
If you give your bird an unbalanced diet, it can lead to malnutrition.It can lead to brittle feathers and itchy skin if a bird doesn't get enough minerals.Feed your lovebirds pellets that are specifically made for them.25 percent of your bird's diet should be leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables.Don't give your bird an all-seed diet because it's not healthy.Food allergies can lead to feather plucking.To see if it helps, start phasing out certain foods.Grains and gluten-based foods should be phased out.
Step 3: Make sure that your lovebird gets enough sleep.
Lack of sleep can lead to stress in birds.Birds can be upset by disruptions to their sleep cycles.Make sure your lovebird gets at least 10 to 12 hours of sleep.Place your bird's cage in a quiet room if they aren't getting enough rest.Make sure your bird sleeps at the same time each night.
Step 4: Consider taking prescription medication.
If your lovebirds don't respond to changes in their routine or diet, you can ask your vet about prescription medication.Some birds with severe cases of feather plucking take drugs.If behavior therapy is part of the treatment plan, it will be effective.A psychotropic medication may be prescribed by your vet.
Step 5: A collar is placed on the bird.
If your lovebirds' feather plucking gets so bad that they are being destructive, damaging their skin, or causing bleeding, then you and your vet may consider a collar.Collars are not used to treat the underlying problems.The birds are protected until the behavior calms down.Collars can cause stress to your bird by limiting their mobility.They might limit your bird's access to food.
Step 6: Have you identified any causes of stress for your bird?
Stress is a major cause of feather plucking.Try to figure out what has changed recently for your bird.Changes in the household can affect your bird.If you get a new pet, it may upset your bird because it's taking your attention away from it.Changing their diet and moving their cage can cause an upset bird.
Step 7: You should spend enough time with your lovebird each day.
Birds need daily interaction with humans.Lovebirds who don't receive enough attention from their owners can get lonely and depressed, which can lead to feather plucking.Every day you should spend at least 30 minutes with your lovebird outside.
Step 8: Provide enough stimulation to keep your lovebird entertained.
If they are bored, lovebirds may resort to feather plucking.Every day, your birds need mental stimulation and exercise.Place enrichment toys in their cage so they can play with them.Make sure your birds are always playing with something new by rotating toys out every week.Taking favorite toys out of the cage may cause stress.To find your bird, hide food and treats around the cage.
Step 9: Make sure your bird has enough light.
Birds need access to the sun.Birds who don't get enough sunlight can become depressed, lonely, and stressed out, which can lead to feather plucking.Don't put your bird's cage in a dark room with no sunlight during the day.Birds need natural sun rays.If you can, open the windows so your bird can see the sun.The bird can't get out of the sun when it's hot, so make sure there are shady spots in the cage.When it's cold outside, don't put your bird near windows.There is a link between a deficiency of vitamin D and feather plucking.
Step 10: You should mist your bird daily.
It's a good idea to mist your lovebird every day.Birds experience rain that bathes them and mists their feathers in the wild.To make it look like rain is falling, take a spray bottle and mist above the cage.Don't use hair dryers on your bird.