FINCHforum

I have two male Zebras 3 years old and a few months ago I noticed the less dominant one had a very slight bald spot on his head.

I kept an eye on them and noticed the other one would pick at it, I think to use a material for a nest, but the bald spot seemed to repair and all looked well.

Over the last few weeks I noticed it returning and the other one picking at it al lot so I bought a small cage to separate them, but in the few days since he's been in his new cage I swear he's lost many more feathers and seems to wet his head in his water bowl.

Of course it may just be the fact that he's wetting it making it look worse than it is, but his feathers are also a bit puffed up.

He seems active and is eating well, and there are no signs of illness with the other bird.

Maybe it was mites and the other bird was cleaning them off?

ANY IDEAS?

Can you post a picture of the bald area?

If it's from plucking by his former cage mate, separation is good. Offering him some extra protein (hard boiled egg) should help him grow thos efeathers back a little more quickly too.

Also, the wetting of his head may be due to the skin being irritated as new feathers are coming in. The cool water might feel good to him.

nelloyello11 wrote: Can you post a picture of the bald area?

If it's from plucking by his former cage mate, separation is good. Offering him some extra protein (hard boiled egg) should help him grow thos efeathers back a little more quickly too.

Awww...poor baby . Hopefully some time in a separate cage will help his little head heal.

The cages should be separated by about an inch, so there is no way for one bird to lean between the cage bars to pluck the other.

Definitely keep the affected Zebbie away from the feather plucker! I adopted a runt (Star finch) who was totally bald because he had been plucked by all the other finches in the cage. He grew his hair back, but I've kept him separate, because he seems to rub my canary up the wrong way!

Once a feather plucker starts, they generally will continue. If not with this bird, probably with another. Good luck with them.

Kind Regards


Zebrafincher
Proud owner of:
“Kevin the King”, groutchy, cranky canary – 12 years
Beaky the Zebbie – 9 months old – a real, real cutie!!!
Merlin “Merl” the Starfinch – 2 years – and “bossy as anything for such a small fry!”