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Birds--General/Parakeet loosing feathers

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Expert: - 11/12/2006


Question
My 6 year old parakeet has 2 issues.  First his top front feathers have fallen
out and are not growing back well.  The rest of his feathers seem to be fine.  
He looks like he is balding.  Second during this same time period his beak
keeps growing very fast and keeps needing to be trimmed or it will wrap
under
his chin.  This has been going on for about 6 months.  He has a cutle bone,
mineral block and gravel in seed.  Thanks for any help
Susan

Answer
Hi, Susan.  Thanks for posting!

It's molting time...could this be what's happening with your keet's head feathers (has he been losing feathers now and then for a few weeks)?  With the beak problem, too, sounds like your keet might have some type of dietary problem, possibly liver or other organ problem.  

Your keet SHOULD NOT have gravel/grit.  Remove this immediately.  Birds who hull their seed do not need grit.  If your keet has been eating gravel/grit, it's crop can become impacted which requires surgery to correct.  Seed is a poor diet.  Seed is high in fat, low in nutrition.  See my website for information on good nutrition:

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

I recommend you consult with an avian veterinarian about your keet.  Not a cat/dog vet, but an exotic animal vet (one that treats snakes, other reptiles, etc.).  The vet can pinpoint the beak overgrowth problem.  The balding problem might be related if it isn't molting.

Come back with any other questions.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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