Lovebird Plucking
Hi everyone!! I have some questions in regard to my lovebirds unusual plucking. I have a bonded pair of lovebirds and have had them for nearly two years now. They’re both younger than 2 years. My boy started plucking around 10 months ago but it was very minimal, I figured it was due to me not being able to let them free fly as often as before due to not being home as well as a cage change. It had only ever been my boy plucking and me trying my hardest to manage it until recently, around 5 months ago I got a Quaker parrot. They’re not allowed out together or around each-other in general, although their cages are in view of one another. Since I’ve gotten my Quaker, my lovebird girl has begun also plucking, but so far it’s only been her tail area. I’ve ruled out beak and feather disease as a lot of their behaviours and overall symptoms are not consistent with the disease, it also does not appear to be an issue of skin irritation. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s likely due to stress of the new bird, as well as a recent house move around 6 months ago now, and possibly the inaccessibility to be let out as often as before. They have a pellet and chop diet, a very large flight cage, and an often change of toys in their cage. As much as I’d like to take them to a vet, due to them being so bonded they absolutely refuse me to hold them or get my hands near them, (although that doesn’t stop them from sitting on my shoulders whenever they’re out)
Does this sound like a stress related issue?
Has anyone else had this issue and if so how did they manage it?
I plan on separating them into their own cages to see if that helps their feather growth. There isn’t any complications with their feather growth or beak growth
Any help and advice would be great 🫶🏻