Missing feathers, long nails and bleeding?

[DesmondTheFinch]

I recently got some male zebra finches, one was a lot bigger then the others and missing feathers i was hoping that it was only mating stress and if not i need to know, hes missing wing feathers and feathers on his tail and under belly. Another issue is the other day I started to notice him pecking at his feet, I had took him out of his cage to look at his feet and there was no sign of bumblefoot. His nails are pretty long and have yet to get clippers for him. Today I noticed that the top of his middle toe was bleeding, I took him out and put it in flour to stop the bleeding but its still crusty and red. Is this because of his long nails or does he have any other issues? I need to know so I can treat it. Id like to get as much info about my poor bird as much as possible so please tell me what you know or what I should do, I don't Want to end up finding him very sick or dead.

Thanks!

[MisterGribs]

Hmm, it could be possible that he has scaly face and leg mites, especially if the feathers he's missing are around his face, and if he's picking at his legs. Has this bird been treated with ivermectin, or similar anti-parasitic? Does the companion bird show signs of feather loss in the tiny feathers around its eyes and nostrils? Another sign of these critters is the surface of the beak looks uneven, cracked around the mouth, and overall not-smooth.

[DesmondTheFinch]

When I first got him he was missing feathers from his orange cheeks but they started to grow back within a couple days.he's not missing feathers anywhere besides the areas I described.
I personally have not treated the birds with anything and I'm not sure if the carrier did either. Is that a must do? He has been pecking at his feet occasionally too.

[MisterGribs]

DesmondTheFinch yeah, that sounds like he has scalyface mites, they're probably driving him crazy. It could be other things, such as a fungal infection or self-plucking from stress. The other male could also be plucking him. I can't say for sure, but it's probably mites if you've just got them recently.

You definitely should treat them with s.c.a.t, it's great for all kinds of mites including scalyface and airsac mites, and keeps them protected for a long time. You just put a drop on the backs of their necks and it kills any mites that come in contact with them.

You will have to treat both birds, as well as any other birds they may have come into contact with, and you will need a mite-killing spray for the cage as well or the mites will simply wait for the treatment to wear off, and new ones will breed.

[DesmondTheFinch]

I will definitely be getting the drops for them, I bought a bird lice and mite protector and I have yet to put it on their cage, I'm hoping that will work. Thank you for the help!

[MisterGribs]

DesmondTheFinch if it's one of the clip-on ones, beware, there is a recent discovery that these are toxic and can kill birds.

[DesmondTheFinch]

Good to know, thank you

[MisterGribs]

DesmondTheFinch Here's the info on the dangers of those things: http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/comm ... tes-unsafe

[lovezebs]

DesmondTheFinch

The clip on round thing will kill you're birds. Get rid of it right away!


http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... +protector

http://birds.about.com/od/birdcages/qt/ ... ectors.htm