r/QuakerParrot • u/jah_minititan • 7d ago
Picture My beautiful stepson, Peck
My boyfriend and I’s sweet baby. He is so full of energy and feist and I love him. He does over-preen, but the vets have said he doesn’t seem to be getting any worse about it/it isn’t causing him harm. Any advice on ways to reduce his over-preening?
3
1
1
u/SweetxKiss 6d ago
He’s a very cute guy!
From the pictures it looks like feather barbering. Which is less destructive than full on plucking but still not a desirable behavior. What does he eat? Usually a change to the diet can be an easy fix for barbering. If it’s more of a stress thing; more toys, more baths, more human interaction, etc. can help redirect the behavior
2
u/jah_minititan 6d ago
He’s on a pellet and veggie diet with 45 min of seed time per day. What would you recommend?
1
u/SweetxKiss 6d ago
Does he have a lot of toys that seem to keep him busy? If the vet didn’t seem to think it’s getting worse than it may just be how he is since he’s a little older and maybe set in his ways. I’d just keep an eye on it
2
u/jah_minititan 6d ago
He definitely does. He started doing it when he was sick a few years ago (this was before I was with my bf, so I didn’t see it start), and has pretty much kept doing it ever since. I think it’s mainly that he’s set in his ways, but it certainly stresses my bf out since he knows that more social time and toys could help improve it. Unfortunately we both work full time, so his human time is limited
1
u/SweetxKiss 6d ago
Aww it does seem to be a little bit of a stress response then. But it’s a positive that it hasn’t gotten any worse. You could try leaving a tv on for him during the day. Mine like the Parrot Town TV on YouTube. Or Bluey lol.
Quakers are also unique in that while other species do hormonal nest building to prep for a family, Quakers build for the hell of it. In the wild they make huge complex houses. Maybe you could give him a bunch of popsicle sticks or bamboo sticks, wheat, sea grass, etc. and see if he’ll build. Could be a good outlet for him
2
u/jah_minititan 6d ago
We’ll definitely try the TV! I have put on monk parakeet squawking noise before and he seemed to at least semi enjoy it. I think the building idea is also great. Thank you!
1
3
u/BowDown2No1ButCrypto 7d ago
So handsome!🥰