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 Post subject: How to properly scratch pinfeathers
PostPosted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:50 pm 
Quaker
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Name: Stephanie
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Sounds like the dumbest question, but how do you do it? I've never had a bird I can cuddle, and Dan is just getting new feathers on his cheeks. When I go over his cheeks, I just rub my fingers around it, but the pin still looks eh. Is there a way I can make it look less noticeable? He absolutely looooves it. He puts his head in my hand while I scratch his pins. I know scratching pinfeathers helps ease the discomfort, but is there like an efficient way to do it?



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 Post subject: Re: How to properly scratch pinfeathers
PostPosted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 12:56 am 
Conure
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Get a gentle pinch of the pin feather between your thumb and index finger a rub your fingers together. That's mimicking his birds preen in the wild. If you go to hard, he might let out a scream, but he'll come running back for more.


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 Post subject: Re: How to properly scratch pinfeathers
PostPosted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 5:41 am 
Lovebird
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If you don't chew your nails you can also pinch it or squash it between nail and fingertip, but you have to be careful not to pull because if you do you'll get a nip and a yell :D
I'm so glad you have such a sweet birdy, Stephanie!

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 Post subject: Re: How to properly scratch pinfeathers
PostPosted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 6:43 am 
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What B and Barbara said. You also have to judge the state of the pinfeather. If the sheath is ready to come off it will crack off fairly easily. If it's not ready to come off it won't yield, and it's best to stop messing with it before you accidentally do something that hurts.



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 Post subject: Re: How to properly scratch pinfeathers
PostPosted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 8:02 am 
Cockatiel
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You can also towel the bird of he will let
you, and gently rub the towel over the pins...
I find this the best method for my birds...



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 Post subject: Re: How to properly scratch pinfeathers
PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 11:49 pm 
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Name: Melissa
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I usually scratch ones that r rdy fall off.



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 Post subject: Re: How to properly scratch pinfeathers
PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 8:30 am 
Parrotlet
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Try a bath first! Always works a charm to get the sheath softer. I pinch them with my nails and gently rub them away. A bird will let you know if you did it a bit too rough :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: How to properly scratch pinfeathers
PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 8:58 am 
Quaker
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Name: Stephanie
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Yes, he's screamed when I hit one the wrong way... then a second later he's fine for more. I really like getting his uncomfortable pins. It's just really satisfying.



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 Post subject: Re: How to properly scratch pinfeathers
PostPosted: Mon Oct 03, 2016 6:50 am 
Lovebird
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Ha i love doing it! Like getting rid of black spots lol, yeah yeah I know disgusting but hey, I feel so much better when I see all those dandruffy pins gone... And the birds put up a show of indignation at being manhandled but quickly start getting busy preening and scratching themselves. It's true that a bath helps, or even a good spray. As Jan says towelling them when wet does the job in no time, when they have too many. Have fun! :)

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