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Hello everone,

I am new to the board and this is my first post.
I have been raising IRN for a long time. I have a problem with a blue female IRN. She's mature about 4 years of age. She's not tame and always been a breeder. She's never been alone without other IRNs. She's started this problem where she plucks her chest. The plucking is not that sever. It's only the upper chest area and just under her neck. From a distance, when you see her, you would think that her chest is wet so that got me to think that she was taking a bath before I go into the aviary. This is the second year she does that and she is doing it right about the same time as last year(October-November). I know that their cage food and water is very clean. I feed them a mix of fruits vegies and a seed mix. She has a mate and they are very bonded in a flight cage that's 15/15/8 feet high. Can someone tell me what might be wrong with her?
Thanks in advance and lots of appreciation.

There are many possibilities. Sometimes the feather destruction is progressive; other times, it's mild enough to ignore. This article will give you some ideas to discuss with your avian vet: http://www.featherpicking.com/Basics_of_FP.htm

My female Alexandrine does a slight bit of plucking that gets no worse. I had a full battery of tests done to ensure she was healthy. For the last 3-4 years, she's had no treatment and has plucked no worse. Seems healthy in every way.

Good luck!

Thanks for your help, Bluesbird.
This was very helpful. As I started to read the article, I started to realize and notice more issues that are associated with my IRN.
I've realized there are few things that I am doing wrong around my IRN's at this time. I will work on preventing them and hopefully things will get better.

Thanks again