Help, my goldfinches going bold

[tajuano]

Hello every one, my to goldfinches going bold from their heads, I checked them for mites, they don't have it. they have big cage to fly around and also they always have fresh water, their seeds I got from ABBA specially for those finches plus I add canary seeds to it. They have excess to * seeds and dry egg mixture with insects in it. I have been giving them dandelion heads for seeds and a lot of fresh greens like kale and dandelion leafs. There is no other birds in a cage to harass them. Also they have a dish with calcium powder in it and minerals and charcoal. Well what do I do wrong. They did started to mold few weeks ago, but there is not indication of pin feathers, so I assumed that there will be no new feathers coming in anytime soon, and they look so unkempt, they are active and hoping from one branch to the other all the time. I will post a picture of them later. Plus the male never sang to me. I have them from March and I would have to say I should got a canary, they are so much better. While doing research on goldfinches I was taken back by their buity on a pictures and their song, but so far it has been disappointment. The guy from whom I got them not really happy about his only male too. Well he told me this after I started talking to him about the birds. He got them from California somewhere in the winter, and they supposed to be hatching from the fall or early winter. Well any advise would be really good. I have put so much in them already, I would love to hear them sing, and I don't even care if they breed, I just want good looking, singing birds.

[L in Ontario]

I don't know what to tell you about bald Gold Finches as I have never had them but want to wish you good luck. I'm sure others with Gold Finch experience will be able to shed some light on the situation. Good luck!

Can you post a photo of them? Perhaps you should treat them for ASM (if they never have been treated) just in case the mites are so small you can't see them.

[![=]

What about iodine?

[L in Ontario]

What about iodine?

I don't know that Goldfinches require or use iodine in their native habitat... maybe? I thought it was basically Australian finches that consume iodine in their diet.

[tajuano]

I did give them some iodine, but it did not help much, but maybe they are molding, because they eat so much of egg mixture, whey they ran out of it and they I put a new dish in they were fighting who is going to eat it. So, may be mold? but this time of the year? I think they missing some important nutrient, and I have not idea how to figure out what exactly do they need, maybe I should put some vitamins in their water?
And what about mites, what kind of medication should I use, since I never had this problem before and never had to treat my birds for this.

[![=]

What about iodine?

I don't know that Goldfinches require or use iodine in their native habitat... maybe? I thought it was basically Australian finches that consume iodine in their diet.

You would know better than I, I wasn't very sure

[L in Ontario]

If it is mites, I would suggest using Scatt. It is all I use and I use it and quarantine every new bird coming in to my home/aviary.

It could be moulting - tis indeed the season! Though finches don't usually go bald through moulting (some do - most don't).

You could give them vitamins but they don't typically need all the supplements unless they are getting ready to breed.

Again, photos may help.

[L in Ontario]

What about iodine?

I don't know that Goldfinches require or use iodine in their native habitat... maybe? I thought it was basically Australian finches that consume iodine in their diet.

You would know better than I, I wasn't very sure

Not really - I've never had Goldfinches.

[BigBear0007]

Are they getting sun light?

Not just from the window, but directly on them?

How hot is it where you have them?

If it is too hot, they are stuck in a molt.
You will need to put them in a cool place to break the molt.

Jerry

[lou]

Hi Tajuano,
first of all, only your mate will sing to you your e.g.f's must be imported. sounds to me like you have all your basis covered as far as feeding, caution, don't give them to much egg food. they can also be stuck in the moult, cut back on the day hours and bring to a cooler place like Jerry suggested. Unless they look sick don't panic. Do you know where they came from in Ca?
lou

[tajuano]

First of all thank your for all your replyes. I do not have them by the window, because for the time been its imposible. But I do have grow lights on for them all the time, well awake hours. And yes I do know that only males will sing , although I have heard people talking about females singing sometimes too. As for the cool weather we have been having cool weather this whole season, just 3 days ago finally summer is here, but I have put a fan for them, because I do worry about them been overheated. Well I will try to attach photo this time

[tajuano]

So here is the rest of the pictures of my birds, maybe between all of us we can find a solution to my problem. And as of from where they were imported, I think he said something about LA, Cali. Is that possible that the blood line was not so good, because when I got them there did not look so good, I mean they were fine, but not the best of coloring. But look at them now, its a shame I can't help them, well I am trying to.

[finchmix22]

The last photo looks like something is wrong with the eye? Hard to tell for sure. They may need a broad spectrum antibiotic? Not sure as I don't have those finches. I had a BW that had a swollen eye and treated her with antibiotic and eye ointment, which got better, but no loss of feathers. I would not put a fan on the birds, as that can aggravate/create breathing problems. Most don't do well with drafts etc. Can you put them outside for a few hours daily? The light looks red and not full spectrum. Not sure as I am not familiar with the type you mentioned. Good Luck.

[lou]

Tajuano, remove the grow lights, replace with full spectrum sunshine or daylight ones, remove the fans, they won't get the deep red blaze unless you put them where they can get sun light. The e.g.f can take the heat, the weather at my place is around 100. these finches can be taken care of just like any other finch. Just remember to keep it simple.
lou

[tajuano]

Finchmix22, I can't take them outside because its too much work, the cage is solid build so there is no way I can move it, and to chase them all the time to get to the different cage.... , The eye problem I had since I got them, it is only one of them who having the problem with the eye, I have treated this with antibiotics for eye, Which took care of the problem for a little while. Lou I have been keeping it simple. But with those birds I have been having problems from the very beginning. One lady give me her gouldian finches, the female have being sickish, so after so much research and money spend she is healthy as can be. But those goldfinches driving me nuts.