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Birds--General/sores from mutilation

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Expert: - 12/15/2006


Question
please tell me if my quaker parrot picks his feathers,and creates a sore area,no bleeding but has broken a small area of skin,what can I put on the skin to help it heal?

Answer
Hi, Linda.  Thanks for posting!

You need to clean the area with Betadine, hydrogen peroxide, or some other type of sterile disinfectant (using a Q-tip).  Then you can use a cream antibiotic on the area.  However, you need to resolve the bigger problem of plucking.  If your home is dry, perhaps you need to add humidity.  Also, allowing your bird to bathe frequently can also help.  In the bath water, add aloe vera oil from an aloe plant...this will help with dry skin problems.

Picking can also be the result of poor diet.  Tell me what type of daily diet your bird is on.

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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