gouldians face problem

For concerns related to avian illness and wellbeing.
FeatherHarp

Post by FeatherHarp » Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:16 pm

I forgot to mention that I also started giving them some Kelp Granules....I don't know if that was a factor in the female refeathering out or not. The male never had a problem.

I hope something will work for you.

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B CAMP
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Post by B CAMP » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:18 pm

I also give them the powdered kelp and when mine have eggs or chicks they eat a lot of it,I have it in a finger cup all the time

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dfcauley
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Post by dfcauley » Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:08 am

B CAMP wrote:I also give them the powdered kelp and when mine have eggs or chicks they eat a lot of it,I have it in a finger cup all the time

yes, I have powdered kelp at my "food bar" at all times. I think that she is sitting so much and perhaps not eating what she needs, OR the male is in there with her alot and he may be picking at her face. Unfortunately they have choosen a nest I would have preferred they not choose because it is rather small. There are four eggs. I candled them yesterday and one was not fertile so I tossed it.

IF they raise all them and my others live which are already hatched survive, I am going to have 11 fledgings :roll:

I started taking down nest yesterday. :lol: It is time to rest for the winter. :lol:
Donna

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atarasi
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Post by atarasi » Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:28 pm

Donna,
Just like the others, one of my hens had a lot of feathers missing on her head. She looked horrible. I added a lot of kelp and iodine, but nothing helped. I thought for sure it was a mite problem, but all it was was that she had laid 3 clutches of eggs and I think all the nutrients were being used for the eggs and not her own body. After that last clutch, I moved her to a larger cage and within a few weeks all her face and head feathers are back. I've known people with gouldians that have never (in some cases 20-30 years) never had problems with mites.

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dfcauley
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Post by dfcauley » Fri Oct 24, 2008 6:11 am

Thanks. We took her out and gave her and nest a spray. (she didn't like that one little bit) :lol:
But I honestly do not think it was mites. I think it is from these two very close clutches. No more for her this year.
Donna

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Post by poohbear » Fri Oct 24, 2008 12:06 pm

atarasi wrote:Donna, I've known people with gouldians that have never (in some cases 20-30 years) never had problems with mites.
That includes me...but boy I have now... :(

Very true raising youngsters can take a lot out of a hen...a period of rest with high protein food is a good idea.
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dfcauley
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gouldians face problem new pic added

Post by dfcauley » Sat Nov 01, 2008 6:04 pm

Today while I was in the aviary banding some chicks I was able to get a better picture of Sugar. I don't have a clue what is wrong with her face. I am almost positive it is NOT any type of mites now. No other birds are showing any signs. She has two chicks about 8 days old. This is her second clutch. I have given her every kind of supplement I can think of.
She has available kept, egg shells, fresh egg food, greens , seed, and I add feather fast to her soaked seeds. Can anyone think of anything else I could do for her? Here is a new picture that you can see better. I am just at a loss for what to do......

Image
Donna

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poohbear
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Post by poohbear » Sat Nov 01, 2008 6:09 pm

I've got several the same Donna ...don't worry...they'll grow back...just takes time.
I'll try and post photos of one or two of mine tomorrow.
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dfcauley
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Post by dfcauley » Sat Nov 01, 2008 6:22 pm

oh good to know! I was getting concerned about her.
Donna

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mickp
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Post by mickp » Sun Nov 02, 2008 4:24 am

if only there was a finch out there that would eat mites, life for birds and breeders would be so much easier
Addicted to Finches, yes I do admit it.
I pray they never find a cure.

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Post by poohbear » Sun Nov 02, 2008 4:49 am

It's rumoured that zebras do...but I think it's an old wives tale...Now are there any old wives on here to ask?? :D

Naah!...I'm not going there this morning :lol:
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Post by mickp » Sun Nov 02, 2008 4:55 am

no need I feel certain that sean will say something :roll:
Addicted to Finches, yes I do admit it.
I pray they never find a cure.

AussieFinchForum

birdbrain
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Post by birdbrain » Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:50 am

I would love to know what you come up with because my female has the same thing. Has never had a clutch and none of the other Goulds are showing the same signs.
I don't know what meds to give her. The pet stores around here don't seem to have the things you guys talk about.

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poohbear
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Post by poohbear » Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:09 am

This is one of my hens 18 months ago...

Image

And this is her today...

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She's been like this for over a year..Regular doses of 'feather up' ...Iodine additives in the water...regular eggfood and tonic seed mix,have made no difference whatsoever.She looks terrible,and nothing seems to make any difference.
Some with feather loss respond and regrow after the next moult...it seems that some just don't.
And it's an awful shame as they are just a shadow of their former selves.She has never bred...so no reason there. She is active and otherwise healthy although the picture shows her not at her best.
I have another hen that looks worse...although she is a much older bird and has raised many large clutches over the years.
I'm afraid some just aren't as spritely as their companions.
Image

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gomer
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Post by gomer » Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:58 am

Sure is a change in looks.Might be a highly strung bird?I have seen them before.not the type to breed on with, incase of genetic faults.

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