Is this just normal molting or is my finch sick?

[BunnyApocalypse]

I have had my finch now for about 3 or 4 months now and hes always been a lot more unorderly in his feathers than my other finch (and also seems to groom himself more), but recently he has developed a sort of crown made out of what I think is a lack of feathers. Is this normal molting or should I be concerned

On a side note, regardless of what vegetables I put into the cage (I have tried kale and broccoli) they don't seem to be interested in it, they just don't touch it at all. Does this mean they don't need it or am I doing something wrong.

[OAvila1986]

BunnyApocalypse I'm not much of an expert but try going to the http://www.finchinfo.com may be you'll be able to get more information.

[paul-inAZ]

Hard to be sure but it looks like a molt with pin feathers on his head.
These guys can look pretty ratty when molting. They don't do it gradually like many other species do.

Mine have seldom been avid greens eaters. They are apt to be more interested if leafy greens are minced up and if the tips of broccoli are presented as little pieces. Use scissors on broccoli.

[Sally]

Have you tried sprinkling their seed on top of the chopped veggies? Gouldians are notorious for being picky eaters, they aren't very adventurous, so you have to fool them into trying things.

[Arcusii]

Mine are moulting and are not looking as bad. I give them iodine in water and lots of calcium (I crush some cuttlebone). As per having them to get use to other food, at night before lights out, I remove all seeds from the aviary. In the morning I prepare a special plate for them. I put a bed of romaine lettuce, put some soft food with shredded eggs on top, some sprouted seeds, shaved carrot, broccoli tops as mention earlier, the seeds top part, I mix in some spirulina, some other kelp granules, some other vitamins, some bee pollen. Lots of stuff that I know is good for them.
I leave for it in the aviary and go for a walk with the dogs, when I come back an hour or so later most of it is gone, then I put seeds back in aviary and they eat some more and seems to be happy and healthy. The romaine lettuce that is hardly touch from the plate I clip it close to a perch and the rest of the day they munch on it.

[debbie276]

To be honest with you they look very fluffed and not very happy.
The purple breast looks like he is molting and has an over grown beak, are you sure he's able to eat well?
Simple things to try would be adding additional heat and a bowl to bathe in. You could also trim the top beak so it matches the bottom with a nail clipper. Here's some instruction on how to trim nails and beaks, https://ladygouldian.com/content/beak-c ... ten-reeves
Adding hard boiled eggs to their diet would give them the added protein and other vitamins and minerals that are important at this time. If they don't eat egg try adding their favorite seed sprinkled on top to entice them to try. Don't give up offering the egg (a little every day), the benefits are amazing and it may take quite a while before they try it. Also be sure to offer the egg shell in a separate cup at all times.
Additionally I would get a mite/lice spray. Unless you've already sprayed them during quarantine, I would give them a spray and be sure they don't have feather mites or lice.

good luck