Bald Gouldian

[Jen]

I acquired a red headed gouldian that had missing feathers on her head. The person that gave it to me acquired it from someone else so I don't have a lot of background on the finch. She is missing feathers on the back of her head and neck. I've had her now for a couple of months and nothing has changed. She is on the same diet as my other goulds and everyone else is healthy, finished molting and look good. I'm not sure what to do. She eats well (seed, boiled egg with greens in it and freeze dried bloodworms). I don't believe it is a skin issue because the skin is pink and looks healthy. She acts okay, but maybe a little quieter than the others. So what do I do? What supplement should I start with? I will try to post pics of her. Suggestions?

[lovezebs]

Jen
Not an expert by all means. However.... maybe she was plucked repeatedly in her former home (s). Is it possible that she will grow new feathers after she molts next time?

[finchmix22]

If she was plucked enough, that could damage the ability to regrow in that area. YOu could try Feather Fast over food and veggies and make sure she has bath water etc.

[debbie276]

You wouldn't see a change till she goes into her annual molt. Like Deborah said, if she was plucked enough the feather follicle may be damaged and they may not grow back. Hopefully that's not the case.

Mine all molt in the spring so it could be a while till you see them molt. Be sure to keep supplying her with hard boiled eggs, shell and all, for all the extra protein, vitamins and minerals.

best of luck

[Jen]

Okay, thanks for the quick responses. I will watch her and keep giving her a good diet. Next time I order seed I may try the Feather Fast on her food. I have FINALLY gotten all my goulds eating boiled eggs with greens or some kind of assortments mixed in the eggs. If I try sprinkling other "supplements" over their food, they don't eat as well...like they taste/smell it?!?! But it's worth a try. She looks so sad sometimes, like she knows she's not as pretty as the other girls!

[MiaCarter]

Jen -- Aw, poor girl!
That made me sad to hear that she's not as pretty as the other girls!
Gouldians are such proud birds; they have a swagger when they're healthy and pretty.
Sick or unwell goulds lose that swagger. They look deflated.

I'm sure she'll improve some on her next moult.

I've worked with lots of plucked birds. Lots of the fostered parrots I get are chronic pluckers who need help breaking out of it and need time to pretty up before they're ready to find a home.
On these birds, the skin usually has a different look in areas where it's scarred due to chronic plucking.
It's hard to describe and it's very subtle. It's like the skin is a tad bit shinier and the follicles are a bit more visible. Relatively fresh damage may be slightly pinker than the adjacent skin.
It's hard to put into words, but the skin just doesn't look "right" in the areas with severe damage.

So it's good that the area looks healthy. Hopefully it's just minor plucking that'll improve on the next moult!

[wilkifam]

I got a bird that was partially bald this winter. Got her on a good diet, kelp, feather fast, etc. She also did not change until she finally molted. I would be with your good diet that once she molts, she will be beautiful again.

[Jen]

Thanks for all the encouraging replies. I guess what worries me most is from the info I read...if she was from "related parents" there would be a gene issue that could never be corrected. Only time will tell...literally! I'll keep her on a really good diet and wait for her to go through the next molt and see where to take it from there. It is such a "learning curve" when you really get to know your birds and can tell there is a problem with one who "acts different" or "looks different"...and they can't tell you how they feel!!! Kind of like a baby...you feel so responsible! You feel like you gotta try everything to make their world a good place to be!

[debbie276]

Back of her head and neck sounds like plucking to me. Usually if it's a genetic thing and/or nutritional it starts around the ear holes and grows till the whole head is bald.

[Jen]

I wanted to post a picture of my RH gould with the missing feathers for you to see for yourself. Let me know what you think. Thank you!

[Jen]

Next I will post a picture of a BH female that has "beige" specks throughout her head...sort of like she started the molt but didn't finish. What do you think? She eats well and is active, just her coloring is not quite right.

[debbie276]

Male looks like it was plucked, hen looks like she is "stuck in molt". A good diet and I'm sure in time they will feather out perfectly the next annual molt.
Genetic balding can be from any pair not only related birds. When you know that a pair consistently produces a chick or two that tends to bald I would remove them from your breeding program.

[Jen]

Thank you Debbie. I will keep them on a good diet and see what happens. I always appreciate your quick response.