Aggressive but picked on young bird?

[LauraBird]

Hi,

My Gouldian Finch aviary is having a social problem. I'm guessing most of it is because everyone is nesting and protecting, but there is one bird that is getting the worst of it.

After a month of quarantine, I introduced 3 new gouldians, and adjustment seemed ok. However, the one that appears the youngest of the entire flock is being picked on. However, I have witnessed her attack other finches for apparently no reason - she's sitting on a branch herself and dives to get someone else. However, she has now lost a lot of feathers on the back of her head and I am unsure how to help her.

Thanks in advance, I'll try to post pictures.

[debbie276]

She appears to be stuck in molt also. Stress can cause feather loss which may be her problem. If there is a way to put her in a more stress free environment, probably without breeding pairs that may help.
A good seed mix with hard boiled eggs will give her the protein and nutrients needed to grow back feathers. Sometimes goulds don't renew their feathers till next molt so you may have a bit of a wait.
Good luck, keep us posted

[LauraBird]

I've never heard of being stuck in molt! However, I've wondered since she hasn't really added any more color since I got her over a month ago. The cage has egg food, eggshell, kelp powder, charcoal, seed, miracle meal, and complete finch food.

Is there a way to help her get unstuck in molt without quarantining her? I'd hate to have her alone - I'd think that would be stressful too.

[Sally]

Between being stuck in molt and being plucked, she is under a lot of stress it seems. She may be aggressive to some of the other birds because of the stress she is under. I think I would try to move her to a separate cage for a while. If she seems too stressed by being alone, you could put one other bird with her.

[debbie276]

Stuck in molt most times happens when chick's are stressed during their first adult molt. I would put her alone necessary (you know your birds best) but I would try to separate her from breeding pairs which can be rather aggressive. Do you have an extra hen you could put with her?
It may take till her next molt to grow out her feathers but in the meantime you need to de-stress the situation to stop her from going even more bald.

[LauraBird]

ok! She's in her very own cage. It's next to the others (can hear them?) but not on a table (probably can't see them very well). Partially blocked by a bench from regular traffic - the other side has the air conditioning vent, so even though she has her own heat lamp, this is the best location.

These birds are so silly - I can't even figure out who the breeding pairs are because I catch 3 males going into the same nest!

I could put my two society finches in with her, but I think for now she'll just want some quiet.

Poor baby.

Thanks for your advice!

[LauraBird]

So, I've had Aurora in a separate cage (in the same room for company) for over a month now, and her feather loss has gotten worse, if anything, rather than better. She constantly paces back and forth as close to the other cage as possible. I'm really not sure what to do at this point. Otherwise, she seems healthy. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks, Laura

[lovezebs]

LauraBird

Aurora, what a pretty name .

You might attempt putting another Gouldian female In with her for company.
Does she have access to an iodine block? A birdie multi vitamin?

Sometimes when Gouldians become stuck in molt, it takes a long time for them to recover.

When I bought my boy Piemur, he'd been languishing in a Pet shop back room for months (stuck in molt). It took another few months of a super good diet for him to come around. At present, he's beautiful and the proud father of three new fledglings.

Diet is all important.

[debbie276]

If she is getting worse instead of better I would think it's not a case of plucking. Have you ruled out feather mites?
Many times gouldians will not get new feathers till their next annual molt though they shouldn't lose so many they are bald. Once the problem has been solved they shouldn't keep losing feathers either.
A good seed mix, hard boiled eggs and lots of patience will help her recover if the problem has been taken care of.
Good luck