Missing belly feathers

[Raleighwheels]

One of my society chicks fledged the other week, but I've noticed that it isn't developing like the rest. It came out of the nest looking really ragged feather-wise. Throughout the last couple weeks it's filled out except for the belly area. I hardly see any pin feathers in the spot. The chick also has a difficult time flying. I was wondering if anyone's had this happen.

[Raleighwheels]

This little one is now in a really bad spot. It seemed to be doing okay until today. I'm not holding much hope for it. It's in the hospital cage with a heat lamp now.

[Raleighwheels]

This little one died a few minutes ago. I find it odd that one died of what I thought was a night fright, and now this.

[lnlovesorange]

Raleighwheels Ugh, I'm so sorry... that is just awful. I couldn't answer this post because I've never had this happen. One of my baby zebra fledges was getting plucked by his mother, and had a real red spot (almost looked like an open wound, maybe even weeping a little, there are picks on this forum SOMEWHERE) and i was so scared for him I came on here and asked what to do (as they were fledges, I didn't know when to take them away) I got some advice, but even with the advice I got, I moved them sooner than recommended, and they did fine. And that spot that was raw and plucked on the baby was pretty much gone he was healing and refeathering up within a day or two. Now, weeks later, You'd NEVER know he had it. I am really really sorry you lost two babies, that's just awful. My heart goes out to you. **Fly Free Little Ones** It does seem strange to lose two babies so close together. What made you think the other one was a Night Fright? Also, did you notice any other birds picking on this bird before you lost her? Anyone plucking her? Or her plucking at herself?

[Raleighwheels]

Raleighwheels Ugh, I'm so sorry... that is just awful. I couldn't answer this post because I've never had this happen. One of my baby zebra fledges was getting plucked by his mother, and had a real red spot (almost looked like an open wound, maybe even weeping a little, there are picks on this forum SOMEWHERE) and i was so scared for him I came on here and asked what to do (as they were fledges, I didn't know when to take them away) I got some advice, but even with the advice I got, I moved them sooner than recommended, and they did fine. And that spot that was raw and plucked on the baby was pretty much gone he was healing and refeathering up within a day or two. Now, weeks later, You'd NEVER know he had it. I am really really sorry you lost two babies, that's just awful. My heart goes out to you. **Fly Free Little Ones** It does seem strange to lose two babies so close together. What made you think the other one was a Night Fright? Also, did you notice any other birds picking on this bird before you lost her? Anyone plucking her? Or her plucking at herself?

Thanks. I thought night fright with the one because there was a really bad commotion in the finch room late one night. I woke up to a bunch of the freaking out. I actually had to turn on my hallway light for the night to add some more light for them. Then the next morning, one of the babies was acting off a bit. It was right around when I'm expecting the first molt, so I chalked it up to that. I came home from work that night to find it dead. With the one from today, I never noticed any plucking behavior. The little one fledged with the missing feathers and had a hard time flying for the first few days, but it seemed to do just fine. After a week or so out of the nest, it was flying a bit better, but never grew any feathers on the belly.

[lnlovesorange]

And how did they act just before death? You said after the night fright he was off... off how? And the one with no feathers you put a post you didn't think she was going to make it because s/he was acting sick so you had s/him with a heat lamp. Just wondering what about the behavior prompted you to think something was wrong, and also wondering if it was the same for the two of them?

[Raleighwheels]

And how did they act just before death? You said after the night fright he was off... off how? And the one with no feathers you put a post you didn't think she was going to make it because s/he was acting sick so you had s/him with a heat lamp. Just wondering what about the behavior prompted you to think something was wrong, and also wondering if it was the same for the two of them?

The one with the suspected night fright was perching on things, but would lean so far forward that it looked as those it was going to fall. It was still eating and drinking though. I also noticed it having a difficult time flying.

The behavior of the most recent one was that it seemed to be stumbling around. I actually reached in and grabbed it with no fight. When I moved it to the hospital cage it wasn't even standing, but laying on the floor, and would stand to move into more comfortable positions.

[MiaCarter]

Oh no!
I'm so sorry this little one didn't make it.
How sad.

Fly free, little one.

Unfortunately, some just fail to thrive. It sounds like that's what was happening here.
I'd say it's possible he had some sort of infection that he was fighting. That could suck up sufficient resources to stunt development, including feathering. And ultimately, he lost his fight to the infection.

It's also possible he had some inborn abnormality. A malabsorption disorder, for instance, can prevent them from getting the nutrients they need to thrive.

[lnlovesorange]

Raleighwheels Did you ever look up "Stargazing" ? I don't know a lot about it, but check out (actually the post above mine) http://www.petfinchfacts.com MiaCarter had a bird that had this, but made it!!! Again, it could have NOTHING to do with what happened with your birds (as if the symptoms sounded like that I'ms ure Mia woulda piped up and said something) but I just figured I'd mention it. I don't know if that's genetic, or external things that cause it, as I said i don't know ok, i don't know ANYTHING about it. ladygouldian.com also has some info and a video on (i think)
It does sound like both of them were sick though. Catching a finch without a fight...(in your case not so awesome) but sounds AWESOME!!! I wish they didn't fly away!! Lol (sorry just trying to lighten up the thread a little) ;o) But, if they were sick, I think the only way you could find out is to send out their bodies or a blodd sample... but I'm pretty sure that's expensive. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Hope all the other birdlings are well! BTW how is their sibling doing? Does s/he show any signs of illness?

[Raleighwheels]

Raleighwheels Did you ever look up "Stargazing" ? I don't know a lot about it, but check out (actually the post above mine) http://www.petfinchfacts.com MiaCarter had a bird that had this, but made it!!! Again, it could have NOTHING to do with what happened with your birds (as if the symptoms sounded like that I'ms ure Mia woulda piped up and said something) but I just figured I'd mention it. I don't know if that's genetic, or external things that cause it, as I said i don't know ok, i don't know ANYTHING about it. ladygouldian.com also has some info and a video on (i think)
It does sound like both of them were sick though. Catching a finch without a fight...(in your case not so awesome) but sounds AWESOME!!! I wish they didn't fly away!! Lol (sorry just trying to lighten up the thread a little) ;o) But, if they were sick, I think the only way you could find out is to send out their bodies or a blodd sample... but I'm pretty sure that's expensive. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Hope all the other birdlings are well! BTW how is their sibling doing? Does s/he show any signs of illness?

The other sibling seems okay. I'm really paying close attention to it. So far, I'm not seeing any warning signs.
I'll have to do some more research into diseases to see if anything fits.

[Raleighwheels]

I just found the third one out of the clutch dead tonight. There weren't any signs this time.