FINCHforum

http://subersiboband.multiply.com/photos/album/19/zebra_finches#6

Help! I noticed my female zebra's feathers are missing around the vent and this bald spot has gotten larger since last week when I got the birds. I called the pet store where I got her and they said it might be that she is ready to lay an egg. Are they correct or should I be concerned? I found that her vent was messy so I cleaned it with some warm water before taking the pic. She seems healthy and eats well & I don't see her or the male plucking the feathers and her droppings seem to be normal.

I have actually seen some finches lose some feathers there when laying, but if the vent is messy that's different. That can be a sign of illness.

You often don't see the birds actually plucking, but she sure looks bald--she may be plucking herself to get some nesting material.

I certainly hope that's the case and not because she's sick or something. I didn't provide them with a nest so they wouldn't be encouraged to breed. I'll check tomorrow and see if her vent stays clean.

Ohhh... now that I see the picture, it looks a lot like what happens when they get in the mood to breed and start plucking.

My male finch looks awful also. What is a vent on a finch????
My male looks so bad I call him scruffy. Esty Thanks :

new pic
I've added new pics which were taken today, there seems to be some poop(?) sticking to the opening of her anus, kinda crusty and yellowish. Her droppings seem to be mostly white and watery. She seems fine otherwise, very active and eats well.

To:ESTY - From what I understand the vent is where the poop comes out, I could be wrong but I'll just call it that . Aside from her bottom being bald, she looks pretty.

Thanks for the reply and the beautiful pictures and for telling what a Vent was. duh I wish I knew why they keep having so many eggs and never hatching? I used to kindof raise finches and got up to 40 or more and they were not inbred too much either and never had the problem w/ eggs not hatching. Esty Thanks again