FINCHforum

Over the last week or so, I've noticed a lot more feathers on the floor near the cages than usual. I thought maybe they were from one of my silver hens, as she seems to be the odd one out lately. I couldn't see where she was missing any feathers so I just figured they were all doing a little molting.
I work retail, so I haven't been home much this week, so I haven't had much time with them... Today, my boyfriend noticed that my male black cheek is missing a lot of feathers near his wings. It almost looks as if the flank feathers have been plucked out. I can see where some of them have started to grow back in.
I don't think his mate is doing it. She has shown aggression towards him in the past, but only when they were nesting. She would sometimes chase him, I think to either get him in the nest or keep him off it... But they are very cuddly with each other and I have not seen any aggression since then. He does seem to groom near this area now. I don't know if he is trying to itch it, or pluck more...

I don't really know what I should do.
Three pieces of info that may or may not be important-
- they just finished a cycle of preventive ronivet 12%
- the areas that are plucked seem to be places that come into contact with his favorite perch when he is resting/sleeping. This perch was recently cleaned, so it may be possible that I didn't rinse it thoroughly enough...
- about a month ago, they abandoned a nest when the chicks hatched (first time parents), but they haven't had a nest since.

He bathes willingly and regularly, so is there something I can put in his bath to alleviate any irritation he might be having?
Any suggestions are very very welcome.

Untitled by Nelloyello11, on Flickr


Untitled by Nelloyello11, on Flickr


Untitled by Nelloyello11, on Flickr

flank plucking is usually a sign that a cage mateis doing this, most likely your hen. My BC CCFW male does this to my female when he wants her in the nest. Based on the pictures it looks like the feathers are coming back in.

I wrote on another post that usually sign of aggression from other birds inflicted on a bird is that you will see feathers plucked from the head, neck, flanks, tail sometimes the rump/vent area.

Signs thay are during it to themselves to line a nest during breeding time is often the chest is plucked.

Once your pair is done breeding, raising young it should stop. If they are just starting to breed and want more material to build with they will take feathers from fellow cage mates so provide some extra nesting material to distract them.

You will see him groom more there because the feathers are coming in and there is a clear coating that they manipulate and remove to help the feathers "come out"...you can see the coating in the pictures, it looks like a tube over the feathers.

I use to watch my Gray preen the new feathers coming in and they "wrapping" would be in the tray from him removing it. All normal.

cindy wrote:Once your pair is done breeding, raising young it should stop. If they are just starting to breed and want more material to build with they will take feathers from fellow cage mates so provide some extra nesting material to distract them.

Unfortunately, this is the BC pair that abandoned last month, so I am resting them, with plans to try again in January, after the holidays when I have more time. I hope this doesn't continue until then...

It looks like some of the feathers are growing back. keep an eye on them, if it continues run a divider down the center of the cage, mesh so they can see each other. Sometimes out of frustration and the want to mate one of the pair sometimes plucks.

She might be more in a nesting mode now....you could always try it again now.

cindy wrote:It looks like some of the feathers are growing back. keep an eye on them, if it continues run a divider down the center of the cage, mesh so they can see each other. Sometimes out of frustration and the want to mate one of the pair sometimes plucks.

She might be more in a nesting mode now....you could always try it again now.

It has crossed my mind.... But I am working 65 hours a week til January so I just don't think it's a good idea.

They did nest wonderfully before. It was the brooding that they bailed on...

Are you afraid they will neglect the young and you will have to handfeed....personally I think what happened the first time is inexperienced, immature birds not sure of what to do. Sometimes the second time is a charm!

cindy wrote:Are you afraid they will neglect the young and you will have to handfeed....personally I think what happened the first time is inexperienced, immature birds not sure of what to do. Sometimes the second time is a charm!

Yes that's definitely part of it. If they do abandon, I would never have the time to try to handfeed. I agree that it was inexperience, but I know sometimes it takes more than two tries to get it right. So I'm afraid that they could do it again the second time around too...

Then it is best to wait...in the mean time get them as fit as can be!! Bet when you do put them back to mate they will be great!

Do you think it would be helpful or harmful to put a little nesting material in the cage in the meantime? They don't have a nest, so really they could just pplay with it... I'm not sure if this would help to relieve some of the nesting anxiety or if it would make them want a nest more...
Also, what came I give him to help him grow the feathers back faster? Eggfood?

Eggfood, his main diet, cuttlebone. The nesting material could help or it can stimulte them to breed. I would not personally but you can try it. Your female may drop eggs or associate the nesting material with breeding, she could pluck him more.

I only use nesting material for nest building, breeding only. It is not good to stimulate the pair into nest building, your hen could start laying eggs which is what you are wanting them not to do, you want the pair to rest..

cindy wrote: The nesting material could help or itcan stimulte them to breed. I would not personally but you can try it. Your female may drop eggs or associate the nesting material with breeding, she could pluck him more.

That's precisely what I was thinking. I will not do this then. I will try adding a new teether scrap of fabric and see if this will help.

cindy wrote:I only use nesting material for nest building, breeding only. It is not good to stimulate the pair into nest building, you hen could start laying eggs which is what you are wanting them not to do, you want the pair to rest..

I was relieved after I pulled their abandoned nest, that she only laid one more egg after that. It broke on the cage floor, but it was clear they didn't know what to do with it. My other zebras will gobble up broken eggs, but the youn BCs didn't touch it.

Beautiful BC LB!!

I hope she will stop this and find another hobby

looks like the feathers are growing back
and thats a sign she isnt plucking anymore,
but plucking is something birds do when
we are not looking

just give them eggfood or newly hardboiled eggs,
then the feathers will grow more quikly.