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Do you know of any Too pluckers who aren't plucking because of nerves or habit?
How common is it to have a skin condition be the cause? It seems that the only reason people give is that it's psychological.
Ours plucks her back and legs. We've only had her a month or two. She's re-homed, about 6, a Goffins.

Possibly causes do include allergies to foods or toxins in the air, stress, boredom, nutritional deficiencies or even toxicosis, lack of sunlight/vitamin D3, not enough bathing, among other reasons. I don't have a cockatoo, but I do have two mutilators, one being a cherry head conure the other a cockatiel.

There are several possible causes for plucking. MFids listed a few possible causes. Physical causes need to be ruled out first...including a skin and/or follicle biopsy. Suggested diagnostic tools/tests for your vet to run that have been suggested at AAV (Association of Avian Veterinarians) conferences and included in some veterinary texts are the following: CBC, biochemical analyses (AST, CPK, Ca, PO, uric acid,bile acids, GGT, total protein); plasma electrophoresis; gram stains; DNA probe tests for PBFD,polyoma and Chlamydophila; parasite evaluation; +/- radiographs; +/- TRH stim test or T3/T4 tests; cytology and gram stains of pulp or skin lesion; culture of pulp or skin lesion; and biopsy for histopathology, depending on the differential diagnosis.

Environment needs to be addressed as well....which would include how you and others interact with your bird, diet provided, hours of sleep, cages, activities, getting outside....lots to look at.

I have a food list http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FeedingFeathers where we have put together what we call a pluckers diet. It has helped several but there are some variations that aren't on the diet as well. The type of pellet you are feeding or what percentage of the diet may also being playing a part.

LOTS of reasons other than psychological! I'm involved with a parrot welfare and we get U2's all the time. Some arrive plucked...most improve. ...a few don't. We have more males than hens but we still have plenty of hens and when I watch them outside in the flights within our population anyway it appears that more hens pluck than the males.....which may be here nor there.

Shauna

Any clue how much it will cost to run the vet's tests? At the moment she is our foster bird. The rescue agency offers general veterinary for all the birds in their care, of course, and she has been in for an exam, but not extensive. When I asked about taking her in for a more thorough look at her plucking, I wasn't told "no" in so many words, but was definitely diverted from the topic.

Hi,

Don't have clue what it might cost...because it will depend on the vet, your area and what that vet recommends. I know the birds we bring in that the basic vet exams run us $200-$250 and some of what I listed would have been part of a basic exam. Taking her to a vet would be the first step and talking to the vet to see what they recommend. If the vet has enough avian experience they often know which tests may or may not be needed.

And you may want to look into environment and dietary changes first.

Shauna