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Budgies/Budgie tail feather

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Expert: - 10/21/2007


Question
Hi, I was playing with my budgie and accidentally caught it by it's tail. the next thing I knew was that both the longest tail feathers were out and he is without them - looks rather funny now. I am worried that they may never grow back again. Please advise. He is about 4-5 months old

Answer
Hi, DJ,

Those feathers will grow back in soon.  When a feather comes out, a new one starts growing right away.  They start growing at the skin from a feather folicle, so you might not see the pin feathers for a while.  Be careful pulling on the tail, the feathers will come out!  They will also come out anywhere else if you pull on them hard enough.

Chrys

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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, 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 a certified avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Over 20 years breeding/raising/handfeeding/selling 15 different species of parrots.

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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