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Blood feathers..
In another forum, someone asked what a "Blood Feather" is. Sometimes we avoid asking what seems to be a basic question because we don't want to appear "uninformed".
I thought I'd post the answer here too, since there are a lot of new bird owners who might not have a good understanding of what a blood feather is, or how to best deal with a broken one.
Broken blood feathers happen. They are not a thing you need to lay awake at night worrying about. I've never heard of a healthy bird dying of one. It's a hassle, it can be painful for the bird (that means stress for us) but it's nothing to panic over.
As the feather grows, it is encased in a "protein sheath" made of keratin which is like a wrapper to protect the growing feather. At the top, farthest from the bird's skin is the finished feather. Closer in, the feather is visible beneath he sheath, a lighter gray color, and then still closer to the skin, it turns a dark color.
Where the dark color starts, is where the blood is. The blood is there to supply the nourishment for the growing feather.
In that part, the part closest to the bird, the sheath is really just a hollow tube filled with blood. It is somewhat flexible, bit it is also a bit brittle. If it breaks or splits, the bird will bleed. There are nerves involved too, so it can be painful for the bird.
The blood enters the feather through a small portal at the very bottom of the feather, inside the follicle (the opening in the skin where the feather grows from). This is called an axial artery .
A split or break in the feather shaft is a big opening, and it takes it a good while for the blood to coagulate. Especially with the bird moving, it can cause more blood loss than the owner is comfortable with (and really, how much blood loss are you comfortable with?)
The best solution for a small break, it to put something on it that will help the blood coagulate. I use flour,( but there are other cautery agents available, like Kwik-Stop). Keep the bird calm, and the flour soaks up the blood ....and eventually, on a small break, will allow it to coagulate on it's own.
The feather will stop growing, the blood inside will coagulate and harden, and eventually (maybe weeks later) the bird will drop the feather and a new one will grow again.
For a big break, that will not close or stop bleeding, the best solution may be to pull the broken feather. The opening at the bottom of the follicle is small, and will usually seal pretty quickly. To help the process, apply the cautery agent directly to the follicle after the feather is removed.
Pulling a feather is not something that should be considered lightly. They are firmly rooted (VERY firmly) and there are many nerve and pain receptors at the bottom of the feather.
However, your bird does NOT understand ...or care, about all this!
All it knows is that it hurts when you touch the feather, and they will do their best to not let you touch it or pull it.
The best solution is to have your vet show you how to pull the feather itself. I keep several good pair of hemostats (surgical clamps that look like scissors only with a clamp end instead of cutting end).
In a pinch, however you may have to do whatever is necessary. Needle nose pliers can be used also, I don't find them to be as good however..
(I pulled the blood feather of a Eurasian Kestrel in the back seat of a van at the Illinois State Fair with a pair of needle nose pliers I borrowed from an electrician that was working there.. We had misplaced the key to the shed that held our first aid kit ...and neither I nor the bird were willing to wait for it).
You get the feather in a firm grip, as far down as possible (and be aware.. this is VERY painful for the bird!) and you pull STRAIGHT out. Firmly, quickly and without jerkingin it.
A bird is best restrained in a towel for this, and a second person is VERY helpful, especially with a big bird like a cockatoo or macaw..
You DO NOT want to break the feather, you want to pull it out.
There can be other things to consider, but I'd talk to your vet and have her show you everything and how to deal with it, while you have the bird in hand. But, basically, that's it in a nutshell..
I would never try this just from reading about it!!
If you break the feather off at or below the skin, you need to get to your vet.
If it keeps bleeding, you need to get to your vet.
Disclaimer (so no one yells at me later..)
You should have it explained to you, and shown to you before you attempt this on your own. This is just an explanation of what is entailed, not a substitute for a discussion with your vet!!
Bob
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"Cogito Ergo Zoom"
I think, therefore I drive fast.
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