laying mother going bald

fantail · Post by **fantail** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:31 pm

I have two pairs of finches that are housed separately. One pair has a nesting site and the hen laid her second egg today. Starting yesterday she lost an alarming amount of feathers. Her wings and head look ok but her back and chest and nearly totally bald. I do not see her picking them, there's not many feathers lining the nest, most of it is just littered around their cage. The male shows a few signs of poking at her, but I don't know if he's the culprit, he's a rough preener. I feel like I'd see him pecking at her more in an obviously aggressive way. Is this at all normal? I know nesting hens pick feathers, but to the point of seeing naked flesh? Is it possible to switch the male with another one who I know to be much gentler? Would the surrogate father help take care of the chicks? Am I worrying too much?

fantail · Post by **fantail** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:13 pm

also, they are zebras

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:22 pm

Well it sound to me that he is plucking her. All my pairs preen each other, but not to the point they are going bald. I would seperate them if this continues. Have you provided enough nesting materials for them?

fantail · Post by **fantail** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:45 pm

He is a pretty obsessive nestbuilder so I gave them materials until he filled it to the entrance then stopped. If I separate them should I put in a different, nicer, male or can she raise the young alone?

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:58 am

Remove the cock...the hen will raise chicks on her own.
With Zebras some males have a nestbuilding obsession and will continue building as long as you give them nesting material.Very often they will construct a nest 'sandwich' and continue building on top of eggs layer upon layer.
Give the birds the minimum material in future and you might find the cock will not be so enthusiastic.Providing too much can sometimes be a mistake.
Paul.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:44 am

I'll be damned, Paul your turning up everywhere. going to cut back on my dogs feed from now on, just in case you show up on my doorstep

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:56 pm

fantail · Post by **fantail** » Sat May 10, 2008 5:58 pm

So I took the pecking male out and put in a gentler one who immediately sat on the eggs. They hatched today and both birds have been feeding the babies. The hens feathers grew back in as well. Thanks a lot!

birdgranna · Post by **birdgranna** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:24 pm

I also have a gouldian hen that is bald. I only have one pair of gouldians so I can't change mates. She has been bald for about 3 months. I never actually see him pecking at her head and there are no feathers in the nest.I am giving them Nekton Bio vitamins for their feathers.

birdgranna · Post by **birdgranna** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:06 am

I recently read to give Iodine to balding finches. In what form should I be giving this? My gouldian hen's head remains completely bald. I thought it was her mate plucking her but could it be something more sinister?
Thanks,
Jackie

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:42 am

It's common in Gouldians,providing extra iodine can help.Powdered kelp or seaweed extract is obtainable from health food shops or such as the Lady Gouldian website.
Paul.

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laying mother going bald

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