back after a year or so

[agent2]

I am also from BC Canada, (Vancouver) and I have gathered lots of info here in the past but have not visited this site for a long time. I decided to check in again because a workman at my home told me his lovie plucks his chest feathers and I thought there may be some info here that may help him. We are fortunate to have been blessed with a healthy, happy 5y.o. lovebird, Ollie, he is my 13 y.o. daughter's bird but because I work from home, Ollie and I have become quite attached. This past summer we enjoyed taking him (and the dog) to our summer place. We call ouselves the "Griswalds of the Sea", when we all get loaded in the little boat and head out! :grouphug:

[Paulette]

Hi Agent2.....I'm Paulette.....my guess would be that your friend's lovie might be female.....it's nesting time where I live in Missouri......hens do sometimes pluck that area so their body heat can reach the eggs better.....do wait for answers from others here that are more experienced than myself....as I've only had lovies since early summer......I did have a hen that had plucked herself nearly naked.....I gave her some white paper strips to chew on and simply tied them with a one loop knot to the bars of the cage in several different areas of the cage.....some toys have rope on them.....but.....be careful of anything with strings, however because they can tangle themselves in it.

[LauraO]

Hi and welcome. It's good to have you back and I'm glad you and Ollie are able to hang out. I know I always work better with a lovie on my shoulder :D.

[Buy A Paper Doll]

Hi and welcome! There are lots of reasons a lovie could be plucking feathers. Like Paulette said, if he's a she, and is sitting on eggs, she may pluck a "brooding patch" to help keep the eggs warm. Otherwise the plucking could be behavioral (boredom, for example) or even a health issue which means a vet visit would be in order. Take a look around, there are several articles on bird care on this site and I'm sure that at least one of them covers plucking in detail.

[mjm8321]

Hello and welcome!

Another reason for plucking/loss of feathers may also be the change in weather and heat being on in the house. Most of my crew are beginning to molt right now and I'm misting them daily and offering more baths.