Why do I see an ear hole?

[yvonnew]

I have a pr of Goulds set up in a breeding cage. I've noticed that the female doesn't look as nice as she did when I put her in the cage. Her head feathers look a little messed up and I see her ear hole completely on one side of her head. Does anyone have any ideas why this is???

I should say her partner and her get along fine. I have never seen any problems with the two.

Thanks for the help

[6finchfriends]

have they made their nest yet? do you think he might be plucking her in the nest box? I'm thinking it's not a molt if they are in a breeding cage. I'm sure someone will pop in here and throw some ideas out soon. Good luck!

[nelloyello11]

If you've moved her recently - is the lighting different in the area she is in now? When i first moved my zebras, I noticed that I could see their ear holes and it really freaked me out. I thought sure they were sick. But then I figured out that it was just because the new area was brighter so more light was able to go between the feathers on their cheeks.
Also, is it possible she is going through a molt?

[yvonnew]

I don't think it is because of molting. It really is only that one side and at the ear hole that the feathers are missing. I'm keeping an eye on her to see if it changes at all. If it doesn't change then it may be the male plucking her to line the nest???

[MLaRue]

When did she have a really good molt last? It could be she needs to molt or she is starting to bald because she hasn't molted properly.

It is rare that Gouldians pluck at one another for nesting material - in fact I don't think I've ever seen it. It is usually hormonal in the sense that she hasn't had the correct diet or she hasn't been able to molt completely.

[yvonnew]

Misty, I really don't know when was the last time for her to molt I purchased her in Feb she is banded 2007 so she has molted but I don't know when.

What should I do? She has laid 4 eggs and seems to be sitting. Should I remove the eggs and nest and see if she moults or should I let her finish this clutch? So many questions but, I appreciate any and all help

[atarasi]

Yvonne, one of my hens has the same issue. You can see her ear hole on both sides. She isn't molting and it hasn't interfered with her breeding.

[yvonnew]

Hi Jordan,
I'm glad it isn't just my hen with this "problem".
When I didn't hear from anyone on the forum as to what should I do, I decided to pull the nest, eggs and all!
I'm going to see if her looks improve She has looked much better...keep your fingers crossed.