Society Tail Feathers

[Animalzoo]

Hi All,

In August I bought a female Society from a pet shop. There was massive over crowding with approx 30+ birds in this tiny flight cage. They must have been there long enough for squabbling as none of them, not one had tail feathers and all looked shabby. At the time I was on the hunt for a female so you can imagine it was pot luck. I had 2 pet shops to chose from both supplying the Societies. The male was no problem and I got him from one store which left me this no tail batch to get my female. I didn't want a couple from the same batch in case they were related you see.

The store was ok and would allow me to return the bird if it was male so on my 3rd visit!, I chose the only Fawn coloured bird there as it was pretty. As pretty as it could be with no tail! Viola, a girl.

I know feathers grow back and tail feathers can be plucked and grow back but its been since August and she still has not one tail feather. Shes had a successful round of hatchlings who have now fledged and I've just started the couple up again so she's very happy and healthy just with no tail.

Do you think after this length of time the tail feathers will ever grow back?

Thanks.

[Smurf]

She'll probably grow back tail feathers after she's finished breeding and goes through a moult, if she's healthy otherwise let her have up to 3 clutches in a row and then remove the nest box.

[Sheather]

If the feathers were pulled they would grow back quickly, but perhaps they're just broken at the base? That would mean they would not regrow until the quill fell out.

[lovezebs]

Animalzoo

Hi Sue.....

If your girl is busy laying, incubating and raising chicks, it leaves very little in her little body to grow new feathers. In other words, there is more nutrition and energy going out , than coming in. Laying eggs and raising chicks, takes a lot out of these little guys.

After this batch, personally I would pull out the nest, and give her a rest. Good nutrition, hard boiled eggs (protein), with which to grow new feathers and to build herself up for next year. Fresh greens, a high quality finch seed mix, spray millet, some vitamins and minerals.

Good luck

[Animalzoo]

She'll probably grow back tail feathers after she's finished breeding and goes through a moult, if she's healthy otherwise let her have up to 3 clutches in a row and then remove the nest box.

When is their normal moult?

After this batch, personally I would pull out the nest, and give her a rest. Good nutrition, hard boiled eggs (protein), with which to grow new feathers and to build herself up for next year. Fresh greens, a high quality finch seed mix, spray millet, some vitamins and minerals

I give eggs and fresh veg on alternate days. So everyday is something nice. Then on top of that there's a supply of additional supplements always available plus millet and cutle bone. She looks in tip top condition just a bit wonky with no tail.

[Smurf]

Sheather , that's what i'm thinking, the feathers are broken near base rather than pulled out as she's been same since August, they should fall out + regrow during moult.