Gouldian hen head feathers look bad, molt or something else?

[Bluebonnet]

My gouldian pair have been sitting tight for 3 weeks now, and I'm concerned about the hen because her head feathers look terrible. Is she molting or could her mate be doing that or is it something else? She comes out for brief feeding periods and during those times she seems fine otherwise. Should I be concerned?

[CandoAviary]

Looks to be a hormonal problem. The hen does not look to be in full breeding condition. The beak is normally very black when in breeding condition.
Could also be an iodine deficiency but I would bet on the hormonal. Best is to after the eggs hatch... if they do and they raise them, seperate the hen so the male will not push her to continue to breed.
She should regrow her feather with the molt.

Color of hen's beak in breeding condition

[Bluebonnet]

Thank so much, Cindy. Should I get her an iodine supplement or are there certain foods I should give her for that? Also, I thought the hens could have varying degrees of beak darkness when in breeding condition, or is that incorrect?

BTW, I just heard the first peepings from the nest a moment ago and they both went in and out a couple times to feed.

[CandoAviary]

If you mean me, Candace...
I would offer kelp, powder or grandules. You can buy from ladygouldian.com. Morning bird also makes a product that is liquid iodine and can be added to the water. I always offer my birds kelp so yes, this is a very good suppliment especially for austrailin species.

Congrats on the peeps

[Bluebonnet]

Oops, sorry, yeah I meant Candance.

I really appreciate the information. I don't know anything about kelp, is that something a health store carries? I'll look into getting some liquid iodine ordered.

[CandoAviary]

No problem...Candance, Candace, Cando, Candy, Sweet Candy... they all work

Hens can breed with lighter beaks but I have found this often will result in hormonal problems... both with physical symptoms... balding and emotional symptoms, tossing. But that doesn't mean your hen will toss. But does appear to have some physical balding. When hens are in prime breeding condition the hormones are right for rearing without problems.

Here is the kelp
https://ladygouldian.com/content/rich-b ... mino-acids

and the iodine suppliment
http://ladygouldian.com/content/dietary ... ficiencies

you probably could find it at the health store... kelp is high in iodine and birds like it... offer in a seperate cup... if the bird does not eat it then try mixing it with soft food.

[6finchfriends]

Candace, I remembered a question I was going to ask a while ago and then forgot. Can you use the kelp they make sushi rolls out of? We have a lot of asian food stores so I thought I'd check it out. the pet stores around me are little private ones that usually just carry dog and cat items.

[Bluebonnet]

No problem...Candance, Candace, Cando, Candy, Sweet Candy... they all work

Oh good grief, that's what happens when I'm rushing. I was trying to get out the door for a healthy walk before it got too dark.

Anyway, you've been most helpful. When I read about different shades of dark beaks I thought or assumed that meant that's as dark as that individual hen would get. I didn't know about waiting until it was at its darkest, which I couldn't have done much about anyway seeing as how they're housed together.

So much to learn!

[CandoAviary]

Linda... My sister has called me Candance all my life... when she wasn't calling me Cando.... Most pople that know me well call me Candy and others Candace... It takes me back home when I see those names

Sometimes gouldian pairs have different ideas about when they want to breed. Many have successful clutches without the really dark beaks. It is just harder and taxes the hen more when out of the breeding cycle. I would rest her after this clutch though.


I have never used the kelp for sushi . Nor do I do sushi ... It's the sticky rice part I don't care for... so I am not familiar with that kelp. If it overprocess or added salt I would avoid. Maybe someone will have a better answer about this.

[nixity]

I have to agree with Candace here and I do not believe this is an iodine deficiency but a hormonal problem because she is being bred out of condition.

The following might be of interest. Bob Bills is an avian vet: http://www.geocities.com/bjbills1/Balding.html

[finchandlovebird]

Congrats on your chicks peeping! How exciting. My hen got to looking really bad after her last clutch fledged, even bald around the neck & chin. I got some granual kelp at a health food store & added that along with all the other good stuff they get daily. She went to the treat cup with the kelp & ate it right away. I was quite worried about her; but now she's finishing a molt & looks great

[Bluebonnet]

Sometimes gouldian pairs have different ideas about when they want to breed. Many have successful clutches without the really dark beaks. It is just harder and taxes the hen more when out of the breeding cycle. I would rest her after this clutch though.

Candace, I appreciate your advise and follow up. To rest her I assume means to split them apart when the babies are weaned. At least I have some time to figure out the best way to do that. How long should the rest period be?

I have to agree with Candace here and I do not believe this is an iodine deficiency but a hormonal problem because she is being bred out of condition.

The following might be of interest. Bob Bills is an avian vet: http://www.geocities.com/bjbills1/Balding.html

Thank you Tiffany for the second opinion and for the article link. I thought it was very informative and so I I'll stick to the free choice kelp then.

Congrats on your chicks peeping! How exciting. My hen got to looking really bad after her last clutch fledged, even bald around the neck & chin. I got some granual kelp at a health food store & added that along with all the other good stuff they get daily. She went to the treat cup with the kelp & ate it right away. I was quite worried about her; but now she's finishing a molt & looks great

Dolly, that's very encouraging! I'm glad she got better. I do plan on getting the free choice type of kelp. And I'm hearing the peeping more this morning. I have no idea if it's one or more since I haven't wanted to disturb them.

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(Just to be clear, I didn't set them up to breed. They were together when I got them in early January. I thought if they eventually bred, that's cool, but if they didn't, I was fine with that, too. Except for a pair being too young, I wasn't aware animals might breed before they were ready. Now I know.)