We've only had our cockatiel, Gimel, for a couple of months but he's gotten very friendly towards us in this short time. I'll often have him sit on my shoulder while I'm working at the computer (as he is right now!)
It seems that he scratches himself frequently. He'll lift one foot and scratch at himself with the other. Or use his beak to scratch among his feathers. I've tried to part his feathers to look for mites the way I do with my chickens, but haven't seen anything.
If he had mites or other such "company" would they be too small to see with the naked eye?
Are there other things that could cause him to be so itchy, like dry skin?
What's the mildest thing I could begin with to treat him for this? Or is this just a normal part of their grooming habits?
Thank you for your input!
It seems that he scratches himself frequently. He'll lift one foot and scratch at himself with the other. Or use his beak to scratch among his feathers. I've tried to part his feathers to look for mites the way I do with my chickens, but haven't seen anything.
If he had mites or other such "company" would they be too small to see with the naked eye?
Are there other things that could cause him to be so itchy, like dry skin?
What's the mildest thing I could begin with to treat him for this? Or is this just a normal part of their grooming habits?
Thank you for your input!
I wouldn't worry about the scratching and mites, unless you start to see bald spots, very mutilated feathers or red patches of skin.
