Swollen feather shaft

1912 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Storm, Oct 28, 2009

Storm

Discussion Starter · Oct 26, 2009

When Spike was jumping up on the desk his tail feather went to the side and I noticed that the shaft of it looks swollen. I have never seen a feather like this on Spike (cockatiel) before and was wondering if anyone knows why it looks like this. I don't think it could be part blood feather still

Thanks for the help

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Jenny

· #2 · Oct 26, 2009

Hmmm I've never seen anything like that

It doesn't look painful or irritated, just like it grew in wrong. Maybe he pinched it or damaged it early on when it was growing in?

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Storm

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 26, 2009

I emailed Spike's breeder the photo and they said the same thing that it may be an old injury. I knew he was clumsy but come on

They said it would be best to bring him in and have it plucked out

I don't want him hurting

But the feather has me worried. Have any of you guys had to get a feather plucked out before?

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Jenny

· #4 · Oct 26, 2009

I've had to pull feathers before - usually because it is a broken blood feather. We use a hemostat to grip the feather as close to the skin as we can and give one quick pull, then put pressure on the area. If you're not comfortable, I would have your breeder do it, so you don't have to worry about hurting Spike necessarily :thumbsup:

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Storm

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 26, 2009

I will see if I can get my Dad to take me and Spike up there on Sunday. He will probably say do it yourself but I don't want to hurt Spike

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ParrotletsRock

· #6 · Oct 26, 2009

I guess I don't understand why it needs to come out. It looks to me like he has sort of split the shaft of the feather at one time but as it is healed ( or was not a blood feather when damaged) and no longer a danger to the bird ....why does it need to come out? To me it kinda looks like if you take a straw and bend it ...it slits along the length.

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stacey101

· #7 · Oct 26, 2009

looks like it my irritate him , thats why shes needs it plucked

Dont worry it wont hurt him for very long , a quick pull and it'll be over in no time. Its all for the best in the end

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Sensfan

· #8 · Oct 26, 2009

Niblet has several feather sticking out on weird angles, likely due to his accident. I touched them and they are solidly in place. I'm going to let the vet decide what to do on Thursday when we go.

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Storm

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 27, 2009

ParrotletsRock said:
I guess I don't understand why it needs to come out. It looks to me like he has sort of split the shaft of the feather at one time but as it is healed ( or was not a blood feather when damaged) and no longer a danger to the bird ....why does it need to come out? To me it kinda looks like if you take a straw and bend it ...it slits along the length.

It is more like someone put something in the straw that was too big for it and it stretched the straw out. I would rather leave it but Iam worried that it could be infected or get infected

Iam not really sure. I might call on Wed and talk to them on the phone and see what they think about leaving it in.

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ParrotletsRock

· #10 · Oct 27, 2009

Well best to get it checked if you are worried so you are doing the right thing. Good luck and please post what they say I am very interested in the result.

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twink

· #11 · Oct 27, 2009

I don't think you need to do anything with it, as long as it doesn't appear to be bothering her, just let it molt out naturally. But, if you really are worried about it, then it's best to put your mind at ease.

I am interested to hear how this plays out too. :thumbsup:

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Storm

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 28, 2009

I think Iam going to keep an eye on it, which is hard because it is usually under his other tail feathers but I think right now it would hurt him more to pull it. I weighed him again the other day and he is 81 grams, so his weight is staying steady.

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