Juvenile Gouldians missing feathers

[Meagan83]

A lady I know posted pics of her recently weaned Gouldian babies. I noticed in one picture one seemed to be missing feathers on it's shoulders. Upon inquiry, she said all 3 babies were like this.
I have never experienced this. I have never seen Gouldian parents pluck their babies.
I asked her if she witnessed the parents plucking them and she said no. I also asked if there were any other species in the cage with them and she said no.
What would cause this? She seems to think it was somehow caused by overcrowding in the nest. Shoulders rubbing? Seems unlikely to me. It was a large basket, and there were only 3 babies.
Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone know what would cause it?

[finchman]

My best guess would be parents plucking. I've had nests with 6-7 babies before and have never seen this happen. To be honest I've never seen it happen even breeding several hundred birds per year. At least on that spot like that. Strange...

[Meagan83]

I thought the same! At one time I had about 10 pairs, some would have clutches of 6 babies at a time and I never saw this. I have never had Gouldians pluck before though. Not ever. So I had wondered if it was a genetic defect or parasite or poor diet?

[Trishkelly52]

I just had my first clutch.
One egg was alone in a nest and fledged looks like that.
The parents are feeding it so I’m guessing it will be ok.
I’m going to give it vitamins, but am waiting for them to all be weaned first.
Not sure. Have never seen parents pick at it