Gouldians, tatty feathers mid-year

Stephanie · Post by **Stephanie** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 6:40 pm

Hello

I find that my Gouldians start out handsome in January post-moult, and then get progressively scruffier through the year. It seems that breeding stress causes a few arguments and feather plucking, but here's what I'm wondering...

Why do my Goulds' feathers not seem to 'recover' like other species' do, except at moulting time?? Is it that they just pluck each other too consistently so the new feathers don't have a chance to catch up, or do Gould feathers just not grow much for 75% of the year?

Thanks,

Stephanie

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 7:24 pm

I know you're a knowledgable bird keeper so this is probably a silly question but here goes anyway. Are you providing your Goulds with iodine? If not, that might be the cause for their tatty feathering.

When I bought my goulds last december they had been without iodine for about three months. Two were looking particuarly "tatty". I immediately began adding liquid kelp to their water supply and six-eight weeks later all had completed their molt, even the bald hen has a beautiful red head now.

It's been five months and all are looking terrific. I don't allow breeding, all is peaceful in the flight cage, so perhaps that is something to consider.

Stephanie · Post by **Stephanie** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 7:38 pm

Thanks Tammie

They do get Iodine as part of a dry supplement that they guzzle when breeding, but it's hard to know how much they are really getting of course.

Also, anything which has chlorine or fluorine in it will tend to negate iodine, so with all of the chemicals in their (our!) water, maybe some extra is a good idea.

Tammie, I love your signature quote!! That's great.

Stephanie

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 7:51 pm

I'm pretty sure all feathers become worn and dull looking with time and use and the damage they accumulate over time. Some species continuously molt so the damaged feathers are not as noticeable since they are constantly being replaced, but gouldians molt almost "all at once" over the period of several weeks instead of throughout the year, which is a contributing factor to the progressively ratty appearance they take on before the next molt is due to occur.