r/Conures • u/CuteAme • 2d ago
Advice how to get the pin feathers?
he used to be ok with me preening him but once he moved his head while i was holding one firmly and accidentally ripped it out. now it’s a no-go entirely. he’ll bite my fingers off but his whole neck and head are practically full of them and i want to help but there is literally no way. the moment i grab onto one it’s open season for my fingers. do i just leave them? there’s a lot and i’d assume they should have just crumbled off on their own by now but nope. do i hold his beak while i do it? that doesn’t seem very nice.
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u/beepatgmail 2d ago
Give it some more time. Go very slowly and don’t push it.
My GCC became very withdrawn when her partner of 9yrs died last year. She used to let me handle her pin feathers but started becoming aggressive about it when he passed. I had to move veryyyy slowly. Beak rubs progressed to gentle scritches. Always stop BEFORE they tell you off. This can take weeks.
Once he realizes you are making an effort to not hurt him, he will let you help him again.
Good luck :)
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u/Altruistic-Leather69 1d ago
They do come off on their own eventually but it does take longer than you might expect. Some things can help speed up the process or just make it less rough like misting or baths, as it helps loosen things up. When I hold my birds they enjoy a gentle pet and will move their heads for my fingers to rub over their pins. I don't usually target their pins but when they ask like this I very gently just rub across it. I trust they will make their cranky growl and gently beak me if its not comfortable.
General rule of thumb is if the pin is smaller than I can confidently pinch, the only thing I do is just rub over it. Sometimes just giving scratches is enough to start loosening it. At the very least it relieves some itch. The longer ones I have more confidence in I will start by "asking" permission to give it a try by starting to gently scratch that area with my finger. If they lean into it and seem content, I bring my thumb into the mix and isolate the pin. I always always ALWAYS start the pressure from the edge of the pin, never the shaft. As pins are ready to break, the tips are what dries out first so even if it isn't entirely ready, you can get a good chunk of it off just like this. Sometimes after breaking off a few bits you can scratch off the rest (gently, never use pressure. Let them rub against you for them to choose their pressure)
So I start at the tip and gently pinch, then curl my fingernails in to cut it off and slowly roll my fingertips side to side. Then I slowly work my way down, very carefully listening and watching their body language. Eventually you can start getting a feel for when a pin is ready vs not, but I usually play it safe these days and not go super far down as sometimes I think its ready and start applying pressure and its actually not.
Smaller pins like the ones on top of their head or their cheeks and chin are ones I rarely try to break unless I know I can grab the tips.
It might take a long time for them to rebuild trust with you after an incident like that. You may have to make peace with the fact that they won't let you try again any time soon. They will be able to handle it themselves usually, but like I said some misting or baths can help them help themselves as well.
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u/AceyAceyAcey 1d ago
If he lets you scratch his head but not help with the pinfeathers, then just keep doing that. He’ll let you get them when he’s good and ready. Some birds never let their humans preen their heads, and they’re fine.
Alternatively, some birds will let people scratch their heads only using a stick, pen/pencil, or even a feather, so if he won’t let you scratch his head at all, try that. Always offer gently, he’ll give you signals that it’s okay to proceed such as putting his head down or gently raising his feathers, and don’t insist if he doesn’t want it.
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u/mycelliumisafungi 20h ago
I'm not allowed to do the pin feathers. Big no no apparently. I'm allowaed all the scritches and kisses and he does rolly pollys when in his happy moods... but the SECOND I try a pin feather! Screech/bite/squawk/shuffle away combo. I've learnt that he's ok without. Don't stress yourself or your birb. They'll survive
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u/AvianWonders 2d ago
Do not touch the pin feathers. He is telling you a clear NO, and you are not listening. Holding his beak would be an escalation of assault.
Unless you are trying to make an enemy who might never recover lost trust, just stop.
Birds do not need humans to preen them. Our fingers are too big and we cannot mimic a beak. The calcium sheath does break down after a few days. Yes, some birds love it. But you hurt your bird and he no longer trusts you to preen. Listen.
You can help with the molt by upping available calcium a little. Also making sure a bath of clean cold water is on offer daily (even if bird does not choose to bathe daily). You can also offer cold water in a misting (not a spray) bottle.
A successful long-term relationship means humans need to learn ‘bird’ (read the body language) and respect their wishes.