FINCHforum

I have an owl finch (Jade) who has developed a sore near her beak on the underside. I believe it is from her siblings over-preening her as she has been going through a molt and has had pin feathers on her face which I see them picking at when they preen her. She is the only one molting out of the six of them. I think it was triggered by stress she encountered during an egg binding incident awhile back (Feb). The sore started out very small (1-2 weeks ago) but is starting to get worse in the last day or so. Should I put anything on it? Separate her? I don't want to stress her out any more than I have to. Will it get better on it's own?

BTW, how long does it normally take for a finch to go through their molt? It seems like it's been quite a while for Jade (8 weeks or so...) I have been sprinkling a little Feather Fast on their veggies and sprouted seeds about 2-3 times per week.

Thank you!

I would advise consulting a vet if it's getting worse.

At Petsmart, we usually separate the bird with the wound and use antibiotic ointment (the non pain-relief stuff) once or twice a day. But we only do that while we wait for the vet to contact us/see the bird.

Again, I'm no vet. xD I just happen to help treat these wounds alot.

If she is being picked on, it won't get better on its own.

You already suspect the siblings, so separate her to get her away from the siblings.

Put her in a hospital cage with a heat lamp.
And put neosporin or similar on the wound.
Give her LOTS of egg food; every day, morning and evening.

h2olilee
Check the Finch Info Center on the forum...I think it has a section on first aid and what to clean/treat sores with. Good luck