Is feather plucking painful for birds?
Written by
David Smith
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.Feather pulling causes real pain to the birds. This behavior opens sensitive skin to irritants. The nerve endings are injured at each pull. Chronic cases cause considerable discomfort. I have treated birds that have suffered infections because of the continued pulling of the feathers. Early treatment will prevent this suffering.
Physical injury can take various forms. Exposed skin is subject to infection. Without insulation, maintaining a stable temperature is impossible. Damaged follicles lead to permanent cataract. Blood feathers rupture and bleed. These conditions cause constant physical pain, necessitating veterinary attention.
Physical Symptoms
- Open sores prone to bacterial infections
- Thermal stress from missing insulation
- Bleeding from damaged blood feathers
- Permanent follicle destruction
Psychological Effects
- Aggression toward owners or cage mates
- Social withdrawal from flock interactions
- Reduced vocalization in normally chatty birds
- Repetitive movements signaling distress
Psychological suffering accords with physical pain. Birds in captivity exhibit escalating, chronic anxious response patterns. They develop compulsive behaviors reminiscent of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Social affiliations quickly decay. One of my patients, a cockatoo, completely stopped playing. Only through behavior modification was he able to regain his happiness.
The risk of bleeding increases over time. Blood feathers have live blood vessels in them. When the feather is plucked, it bleeds significant amounts. This requires emergency care. One of the macaws I took care of needed a transfusion after damaging three blood feathers. Keeping an eye on feathers reduces these types of emergencies.
Preventing suffering occurs effectively. Take action against stressors immediately. Offer enrichment toys to distract the animal. Be sure the humidity levels in the household are in the proper range. Schedule wellness visits at the vet annually. These things combined create a safer environment that reduces the urge to pluck.
The focus of treatment is pain management. The vet prescribes anti-inflammatories for comfort. Protective collars prevent further injury and allow healing. Healing takes time and patience, but it is well worth it for relief. Nice behavior is resumed by the bird again as the pain disappears. Your care makes this possible!
Read the full article: Understanding Bird Feather Plucking: Causes and Solutions
