molt question

[lmchapin]

I have 3 juvenile zebras that hatched 3-1-12 give or take couple days. One is split to pied and overnight this bird has drastically changed appearance. It is very ragged in the head and lost tear. I had to do a double take when I turned on lights and was putting in their soft foods. It did not look like this yesterday. Here are some pics. I will label them. Is this just typical molt or a health issue. These babies are in their own enclosure away from mom and dad and have been on their own for over a week. Eating like piggies and bath everyday.

[lovemyfinch]

Awww poor little guy. Looks like he's getting his big boy feathers, just faster than they usually do. As in usually we do not even notice that they are molting.

[Lisa]

Poor little guy... that is a pretty drastic change from the night before. Maybe some over zealous preening? Or maybe it is just the molt?

[DanteD716]

He may be in molt, does not look too bad if he is getting plucked

[LuxandLolita]

Actually, it does look a bit like plucking.. Minor plucking of course! My little girls were plucked on the shoulder when they came out. All three of them... But it was so minor, i was not worried and the parents stopped.

How old is he? What a beautiful dark baby, my girls from my last clutch, and the clutch i had before that were not that dark. What are the parents?*sorry to change topic*

[lmchapin]

They are 40 days old roughly. I am thinking that this one was plucked during the night by siblings. Hopefully that will stop. I dont see any hint of them plucking during the day. The parents are posted in another thread... I am not quite sure how to place the link, but I will give it a try:
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18796