by Guest » Mon Jun 12, 2006 7:05 am
Please take her to the vet first.....as many feather picking issues stem from something physical. The vet will do a battery of different tests....make sure there is no giardia problem or any kind of infection and so on.
I'm not sure what you mean by your statement about hearing things. Sometimes vets like to pull out feathers when there is a problem with the follicles and so on. Honestly, that is more like trying to pull a finger nail off of a human. It is very painful and has made some Greys turn phobic. So, if that is ever suggested to you.....think long and hard before agreeing to it. Is that what you were referring to?
Anyway, if the problem is not physical, you will need to think back to when it started and try to rectify the situation. It may be that the remodeling made her nervous and caued her to start picking. If she continues and the vet sees nothing wrong physically, my first suggestion would be to give her a spoon full or two of pureed food (sweet potato, butternut squash or baby food) every few days at night. This can help her feel more secure and possibly let go of the picking.
When she picks, do NOT react. Do not say anything. But you can leavce the room...and reward/praise when she is NOT picking.
Keep me posted,
Maggie-