Tail feathers

Maria-Elena · New Member Joined: Sep 24, 2014 Posts: 2

Hi guys, my kakariki is obviously very active and loves to run around and bounce around in and out of hes cage.
My question is he tends to hold onto the cage and slide down it a lot which as caused he's tail feathers to constantly snap off and get all tangled looking.
I'm new to owning a bird and have hand raised him from 4weeks old and now he is almost 5months old.
Will hes tail feathers grow back to that beautiful length again signlol

or will I end up having to wait till they fall out and regrow and he does it all over?
Also he is very active but today he has been sleeping most of the day which is doesnt do much as he is usually running around the house and running a muck. He is still eating and even still says he's hello and what you doing cookie but just a little tired, anything to worrie about?

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

Yes.. it is about, from our experience that around 1 in 4 kakariki have a habit of sliding or climbing down backwards and really screwing up their tail feathers, on bars/ mesh netting..very frustrating and dont think there is much one can do about it, other than cages/ flights without bars.
Yes the tail feathers grow back and yes they do it again

Kakariki dont normally go lethargic... check breathing, check the breast muscles have plenty of meat.
Do u do maintenance with apple cider vinegar and 50/50 vinegar soln?
And it would not hurt to dose with invermectin on the back of the neck, repeat i 10 to 12 days and again after that.

Both of the latter use the "Quick Search" block on the left for more info.

Maria-Elena · New Member Joined: Sep 24, 2014 Posts: 2

Hello, what do you mean about maintenance ?
And what is invermectin?

Thank you I'm glad to hear he is just right signlol

best pet ever :)

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

Maintenance.. cleaning cages trays, replenishing, seed trays maintaining healthy environment
Invermectin is a drug/ chemical that once absorbed into the blood stream, kills off most worms mites tics etc....
Stuff u put in the water from the pet shop is not next to useless , it is useless.
Basics how can u control enough of the drug taken in by the bird... ie how much it drinks and the concentration in the water.
How much it drinks depends very much on what the bird is eating... a healthy fresh veggie/ fruit diet, the bird can go days without drinking nps.

Make use of the "quick Search " block on the left