Gouldian going bald

THVCFINCHLADY · Post by **THVCFINCHLADY** » Fri May 22, 2015 2:01 pm

Hope this is the right place for this question. I care for our aviary at work. We have two Gouldians, presumably a male and female by all accounts. They hang out in a nest together most of the time but haven't had any babies yet. THe female is completely bald on her head. I am assuming the male may be plucking her while they are in the nest. Is this normal behavior?

Post by **finchmix22** » Fri May 22, 2015 2:10 pm

Do they have feathers and coco fiber for nesting material? Also, have you checked for mites?

THVCFINCHLADY · Post by **THVCFINCHLADY** » Fri May 22, 2015 2:54 pm

The have Excelsior for nesting. How would I know if they had mites?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri May 22, 2015 4:43 pm

I doubt it's plucking, these aren't Zebra finches!
Are you providing supplements? Mainly kelp or something that contains iodine?

debbie276 · Post by **debbie276** » Sat May 23, 2015 6:21 am

Gouldians plucking is not normal.
Balding can be many things like stress, hormone imbalance in hens, over breeding and/or something lacking in their diet.
I would be sure to offer them hard boiled egg and greens along with their seed mix. Most likely the hen will remain bald till her next molt.
good luck

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Gouldian going bald

Gouldian going bald

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