Blueback gouldian head balding

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nadinecannon
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Blueback gouldian head balding

Post by nadinecannon » Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:21 pm

I've had several gouldians going bald, separated them, and thought I no longer had the problem. But now I see a female blueback just starting the process. Does anyone know of a cause for this -- or a cure? She definitely does not have air sac and ivermectin doesn't work on this symptom.
New Yorker transplanted to Merryland. 2-year-old senegal, 2 female societies, pair gouldians and, as of this writing, 5 tots.
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managermania
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Re: Blueback gouldian head balding

Post by managermania » Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:23 pm

Is it their annual molt? Mine just finished.
Chase

Normal & Fawn Owls, RT Parrots, Cherries, RF & YF Stars, BC Cordon Bleus, Cuban Melodious, Orange Cheeks, Gouldians, Shaftails, Senegal Fires, Normal & Fawn Diamond Fire Tails, White-headed Nuns , Goldbreasts, Societies, and Diamond Doves.
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bugaboo5
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Re: Blueback gouldian head balding

Post by bugaboo5 » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:24 pm

They are molting. Mine went "bald" last month. I once had a Gouldian that went completely bald - including the face. The poor thing looked like a vulture. Give them a good diet, supplimented with some additional protein, and your birds should look better in two to three weeks. :)
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debbie276
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Re: Blueback gouldian head balding

Post by debbie276 » Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:48 pm

When a bird molts you shouldn't be able to see skin. There are many reasons why a bird could go bald like, diet, stress, hormones or genetics to name a few. Air sac mites would not cause balding though feather mites might.
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
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http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
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Justin-2-finches
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Re: Blueback gouldian head balding

Post by Justin-2-finches » Wed Jun 15, 2011 1:58 am

In general gouldians should not go bald when molting, but it does happen. Keep them warm and healthy, plenty of extra vitamins in water etc and they will moult out in couple of months.
I bought some gouldians of a guy once. He gave me them really cheap because they were bald. Few months later a had some beautiful feather perfect birds, bargain :D
15 Gouldian, 40+ mutation Zebs, Societies and 1 Cut-throat (the only one i ever bred)... plus babies everywhere
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