Goffins adoption update

Question
HI there, its Amanda again, i thought id let you know im making a small amount of headway with the parrot shop owner of the 12 year old goffins that plucks and self mutilates. she has now acknowledged that he does seem bonded to me. im playing her game and trying not to tick her off till i get him out of there. then ill contact peta and whoever else will listen as to how she treats the birds in her care. i do have a question tho...i have been preening the little pin feathers in his chest that are starting to come through. in doing this ive noticed that some of the little pins are dry and black on the tips..and under his wings along his back there are several that when i lightly roll between my fingers to loosen the keratin, the feather just seems to come out with no effort at all. is this because they have been there so long? and what about the little ones with dry black tips? im having to do the best i can, but its hard since he isn't in my care (yet) and she will not get him avian medical care. i have tried googling this, but cant find anything, i am wondering if its perhaps a vitamin deficiency? also, not sure if this is anything of not, but one of his flight feathers seems to be backwards...it bends up and away from his others??
thx and hope you have a wonderful holiday!
Amanda

Answer
Hi, Amanda.  

It's nice to hear from you again!  Actually, I think of you and this bird quite often.  I'm glad you are making headway.  

I'm wondering if the dryness and black tips on some of these feathers will go away as the feather emerges.  However this, as well as the feather turned backward, could be indications of improper diet (leading to a vitamin deficiency).  Sometimes a feather will turn backward/up if it isn't positioned correctly.  The latter often tends to irritate the bird, so the bird might peck at the area trying to reposition the feather.  Sometimes keratin can be hard to "roll" off and other times very easy...it's due to whether the feather is ready to emerge completely or not.  Have you noticed if the area the bird is in is dry or not this time of year?  Since this bird is molting, he is under a lot of stress...is he showing any signs of illness at all?

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and yours, Amanda.

Chrys