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my amazon has some "ragged" feathers2007-11-24 17:23:34

my 10 year old blue fronted amazon had a really good molt this year, but now has two tail feathers that have a ragged look to them.. he has never had anything like this before..

does anybody know what this could be??

Answers:

How is his diet?

Is he getting enough protein? calcium?

If he is on an all-seed diet, with no vitamin supplments, and he isn't getting much in the way of vegetables, that could be why.

I've seen this in birds who are "seed jumkies". Their coloring is poor, the feather quality is raggedy and uneven and they have a tendency toward being overweight even though they are malnourished.

I am suspecting that his diet needs some adjustment. Like everyone, birds are what they eat.

I rescued a Quaker about a year and a half ago who was a total seed junkie. It took me about a year to convert him, but she now eats pretty well: vegetables, grains, a little fruit, and she eats pellets fortified with supplements instead of a seed mix loaded with sunflower seeds.

Her color went from a washed out green to a vibrant Kiwi color with deep blue accents on her wings, and she looks much healthier. Her plumage is thick and her feathers are in great shape now.

I also have a rescued Grey that was on a horrendous diet: I mean simply pathetic, and she was bald as a billiard ball. Once she was placed on a decent diet, over half of her feathers have returned with more on the way, and she is looking terrific.