I don't know which bird is the one that is plucking but chewing on a rope is not a nesting behavior. Also, if the plucking is limited to a define space, ask the doctor to do an X-ray of the area (if he hasn't already), there are many references of birds plucking the area just over an internal tumor.

If the plucking bird is the ekkie and she is on free-fed seeds or pellets, I would suggest you reduce the protein and increase the fiber intake drastically. Ekkies need A LOT of fiber, very little protein and very little vitamins to do well. Lots of leafy greens and veggies, very little oil seeds (cereals are OK as long as they are whole grains and in small portions) and no pellets (too much protein and too many vitamins in them).

If it's the grey, try eliminating the most common allergens from her diet (corn, soy, wheat, peanuts) and reducing the protein.

Full spectrum lights during daylight hours and a strict natural daylight schedule helps A LOT with plucking.

If clipped, allow primaries to grow and fly her as often as possible (it gives them a sense of security to be able to fly).

Daily baths (two a day, if possible) in the morning but just distilled water with a splash of organic aloe vera juice.

If that doesn't help, IMPO, no drugs will either because she will start again as soon as the drugs are eliminated and you will have to, eventually and sooner than later, as you just cannot dope her long term.

I would also try a tube collar instead of an Elizabethan (birds have hanged themselves on E-collars). A vest is good if she doesn't freak out by it (my chronic plucker almost dies of a heart attack when I tried to put one on her).

Dom, you take awesome care of her. Id be willing to bet theres not a single thing wrong with her health. She has most likely developed a habit and is addicted to the endorphine release from the pluck itself. Ekkie hens are complicated. Their natural hard wiring says they should be in a dark tree hollow waiting on a mate. She is most likely neurotic. Theres nothing you can really do. Just be patient. She may never stop plucking. If she's not mutilating her skin I personally would skip the collar. I know it hurts to see this happening. Mr Buddy has barbered his chest down to nothing. Everyday I watch hoping he will stop. So I really do understand how you feel.

Thank you Leigh! You have been such a big help to me in more ways than you know! I just wish she woul stop. Its like looking at someone whose on drugs; you see what they're doing to themselves and their health and want the to stop, but there's not much you can do. Well, maybe Lucy and Mr. Buddy can get help together!

You hit it right on the head! Its exactly like watching someone addicted. And it hurts us so much to watch. Am I selfish by wanting my Buddy in perfect feather? yes. Its a reflection of my care in my own eyes. Right now, Im expecting company soon and thinking, ok Alex has half a tail, Buddy is chewed to high heaven, and Occy is one big stress bar. People will look at me and say "jeeez, Leigh doesnt take good care of her birds!" The truth is, I do my best and cannot prevent them from over grooming. I realistically know this but cannot help but want them perfect. No matter what you provide they will be either bored to some extent, or set on waiting for a mate. And Ekkie hens in particular, sit and wait for the male to feed them. Many males for that matter. So these poor little red heads become crazy sometimes. Just hang in there. Let her be and save your money. I honestly dont think the Vet can help you with this one. Youre in my thoughts hon.

Don't give up on her. Birds that have plucked for years have gotten better, some of them very quickly, some very slowly but they have. I've just noticed that a 20 year old M2 that plucked for, at least, five years before I got her (the previous owner said she had done it for years prior her leaving her on consigment at a pet store where she lived for over two more years all plucked -she had a bare chest, neck and belly and very badly barbered primaries -literally no wings or tail) is finally allowing her wing primaries to grow out. She started to gradually stop plucking soon after I got her, then allowed her tail to grow after last year molt but continue barbering her wings and now, she is even letting her wings grow. It has taken a year for this to happen and she still needs two more primaries on each wing and two more in her tail but I think she will be in beautiful full plumage after this year's molt.

It is true that some of them never stop but some of them do, so don't give up on her. Keep on trying. Review what she eats very carefully (mind you, not what you offer her but what she actually eats) and see if you can adjust her diet to a better one. Ekkies are the most difficult parrots to feed correctly and that is the most common cause of plucking.

Thanks again everyone! Leigh, you hit the nail on the head (again)! Having my friends and family come over and look at her and ask, 'what happened and why?' is the hardest thing to go through. We as people cannot help but be selfish, its our nature to want thing a certain way.

But, like you've all said, its a matter of time. So, I will take light in the fact that I have a bird that I have wanted more than anything for years, and I could not have gotten a sweeter baby!