Help With Naked Pigeon

[TerriB]

Sure hope this bird's condition improves. In the meantime, he provides a study in pigeon physiology that sketches don't quite capture. The bends in his wing are especially interesting.

[TAWhatley]

OMG! What an amazing and precious little one. This must be one for the record books. I do hope the youngster will eventually get at least close to looking like a fully feathered pigeon.

Terry

[Pidgey]

In answer to your question, little bird, yes, birds can get Cushing's. There is no documented case of spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism in birds. Usually, it's a case where either the bird is receiving glucocorticoids as a treatment or there is a tumor producing too much of the various hormones that cause this disease. I couldn't find much (yet) about the actual symptoms of the disease and no mention so far in my study of feather loss to this extent.

The birds with the genetic problem that I mentioned from that book are in Section 576 (page 334) of the edition that I have. It also mentions that they resented sweaters knitted for them so that they had to be kept in a warm room.

Pidgey

[george simon]

I felt the need to post what little was said in the book THE PIGEON by LEVI on this subject........Pigeons hereditarily naked, entirely featherless were discovered in a family of racing homers in Washington.Two adult pairs were sent to the University of Wisconsin for study in 1938.They proved incapable of producing fertile eggs because of their inability to coupulate.Owen,through a process of artifical insmination, has obtained progeny.Cole and Owen reported in 1944 the genetic test which showed it to be a simple recessive gene. It has subsequently become extinct. This is word for word from the book THE PIGEON..............the picture in the book shows what appear to be 4 healty featherless pigeons.I would also like to add that there are at least 2 pigeon types that have naked necks the Romanian Bare-Neck pigeon and the Spanish Naked Neck pigeon.This is genetic and I for one believe that the bird will never have a full coat of feathers.There are people that study pigeon genetics, that I am sure would like to study this bird.They DO NOT mistreat the birds that they study,they try to find answers to these things.........................GEORGE

[Trees Gray]

If it is genetic then that is probable, George.

If not, then I would include daily regimen of garlic, preferrably a capsule a day, this will help with feather growth, purify the blood and build up his immunities. Also, include everything already mentioned earlier.

I've had several pigeons grow a nice thick layered coat of feathers after several months on it. They did have their feathers initially, but the garlic sure made a difference after they molted.

[Reti]

He is adorable. Just want to hug him and keep him warm.

Reti

[george simon]

By all means continue to help this bird as it may not be genetic and with the right diet he may grow feathers.I did not mean to give up. I just want make people aware that it could be genetic. So if he does not grow a full set of feathers not to feel bad,as it seems that the bird can live and be healty . GEORGE

[pittsburgh24]

thanks george,
I'm sure she (the rehabber) is going to continue to give him loving care as long as she'll be able to do so. She is fond of him. We're just putting him
out there in hopes of anyone sharing knowledge with this rare problem.

[mr squeaks]

Just an FYI...thought about this cat when I saw this pij.

There is a hairless (not even whiskers) cat called the Sphynx. Their skin feels like suede but they sure look - ah - different. They feel warm to the touch and have been called a "suede hot water bottle." One has to avoid temperature extremes, which I am sure is true with your cutie.

This cat has been described as "part monkey, part dog, part child and part cat." They have been traced back to the Aztecs of Mexico, but the origins lie far to the north in Canada (!), where in l966, a hairless mutant kitten, named Prune, was born.

The gene responsible for the hairless coat, is also responsible for the long, lean angular body build. Its hairlessness also means that the body oils normally absorbed by a cat's coat must be frequently shampooed off the Sphynx's skin. Because of its high metabolism, it also has a huge appetite.

Does the pij tend to eat a lot too?

As mentioned, we will all be interested in how this pijie grows!

[Lin Hansen]

Oh the poor thing. I can just imagine him doing his dance and trying to "display" when there is nothing to display. So glad he's not aware of it!

Glad to hear that he's well otherwise. Hope his problem can be discovered and rectified.

He certainly looks like quite a sweetheart.

Good luck with him,
Linda

[mr squeaks]

Originally Posted by Lin Hansen

Oh the poor thing. I can just imagine him doing his dance and trying to "display" when there is nothing to display. So glad he's not aware of it!

Glad to hear that he's well otherwise. Hope his problem can be discovered and rectified.

He certainly looks like quite a sweetheart.

Good luck with him,
Linda

Oh, I don't know, Linda...being naked has its own charm! At least "she" or "he" can see what they are getting!!!

Sorry, but...just couldn't let this pass!

[Pidgey]

In this case it's more likely that she could see what it was that she wasn't getting (feathers) as that's kinda' important to a bird. Anyhow, since there are some feathers, I'm not thinking that this is exactly genetic. The earlier reference to Cushing's is in effect a question of whether the bird's feather follicles are present but being inhibited by a chemical imbalance of some sort. If it were Cushing's though, we'd have to worry about a metastatic tumor that would be a far worse and more immediate problem. Due to the mention of this bird being this way for "months", I'm hoping that we can rule that one out.

There are diseases that can affect feather follicles and I'm going to have to do more research on that tonight.

Pidgey

[mr squeaks]

Originally Posted by Pidgey

In this case it's more likely that she could see what it was that she wasn't getting (feathers) as that's kinda' important to a bird.

Now, Pidge, how would YOU know? Different "clothes" (or lack thereof) for different pijies. There are other very strange looking breeds of pigeons out there (Cropper or Pouter for one AND some with lack of feathers in certain areas). As the sayings goes, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" AND "looks aren't EVERYTHING!"

Anyhow, since there are some feathers, I'm not thinking that this is exactly genetic. The earlier reference to Cushing's is in effect a question of whether the bird's feather follicles are present but being inhibited by a chemical imbalance of some sort. If it were Cushing's though, we'd have to worry about a metastatic tumor that would be a far worse and more immediate problem. Due to the mention of this bird being this way for "months", I'm hoping that we can rule that one out.

There are diseases that can affect feather follicles and I'm going to have to do more research on that tonight.

Pidgey

This pij does NOT seem to have "normal" pigeon feathers. They are finer and not shaped the same. Maybe this is a rare bird OR a new breed?

Yeah, I know, probably something "genetic."

I am definitely interested in seeing what happens with this little one!

[Maggie-NC]

I found this link.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2000003.stm


Some sites, although they're primarily talking about head baldness only, mention mites being a possibility or a moult.

[Pidgey]

It also looks like there's a feather or two on that chicken.

Pidgey