The term "feather duster syndrome" describes a severe disturbance of feather growth that occurs in budgies. In general, the feathers stop growing after they have reached their natural length. But in feather duster budgies, they won't stop growing. Some birds also suffer from excessive claw and beak growth. Because building feathers, claws and beak requires a large amount of minerals and other nutrients, the unnatural growth exhausts the bird's organism. Hence most feather dusters have a poor immune system and their life expectancy is terribly low: Nearly all of these birds die in the first year of their life.

Since this disturbance of feather growth is caused by a genetic defect, it is incurable. The only things one can do to help an affected bird is making his life as liveable as possible and use food supplements that contain vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients in high doses. Owners of feather duster budgies also have to trim the plumage regularly or else it will hinder the bird too much. One big problem is that the feathers on a bird's head can grow so long that they cover the eyes so that the poor animal is unable to see its surrounding. To prevent this, the feathers have to be trimmed about once a week. Please ask your avian vet about more tips and high quality food supplements to keep a feather duster budgie as healthy as possible during his or her short life!