Please ID this problem...

[Finch Fry]

Pair of goulds with 2 juvs in a single flight cage (30 wide x18 deep x54 tall). Juvs are about 2 months now. Below are pictures of Dad. Dad and Mom have been at it again and there are 11 eggs in the nest and they are not incubating. We took the nest out yesterday to stop the breeding madness. Can someone please ID what is going on with Poppa finch? He is in good health, just balding behind his neck. I want to say this is molting so i am not too concerned. But, it could also be an iodine deficiency... but they have a constant supply of powdered kelp that he has been seen munching on here and there.

Thanks for any help !

[dfcauley]

Chris,

I am sure that is not molting...... I have never had one look like that which was molting. Do you think it is being plucked? If not, I would say a deficiency of some sort...... iodine? This happened to one of my hens last year. She went bald and when she did molt everything came back beautifully. I would shave cuttlbone and put some of the powder on soaked seeds.

Hopefully someone else will have some ideas.

[L in Ontario]

I have powdered kelp and cuttlebone in all cages all the time. When breeding shaved cuttlebone is added in their seeds. I also give liquid iodine once a week to all my birds. Never had balding (touch wood).

Good luck!

[Finch Fry]

Chris,

I am sure that is not molting...... I have never had one look like that which was molting. Do you think it is being plucked? If not, I would say a deficiency of some sort...... iodine? This happened to one of my hens last year. She went bald and when she did molt everything came back beautifully. I would shave cuttlbone and put some of the powder on soaked seeds.

Hopefully someone else will have some ideas.

I dont know if he is being plucked. He is in that huge single flight with his mate and his 2 juvs from the first clutch.

I guess it could be an iodine deficiency, but would you expect that with powdered kelp available to them at all times?

[Finch Fry]

I have powdered kelp and cuttlebone in all cages all the time. When breeding shaved cuttlebone is added in their seeds. I also give liquid iodine once a week to all my birds. Never had balding (touch wood).

Good luck!

Do you administer it directly or in their water?

[dfcauley]

Chris,

The powdered kelp is offered seperately in a dish. My gouldians eat it all the time. You can pick some up from Laraine Saturday. She always has it at her table.

It doesn't look like plucking to me. I think it needs more iodine.

[GOULDYGIRL]

Chris,
Liquid Iodine, you add to the water.

Renee

[cartel]

Looks like he is molting,if those are pin feathers on top of his head.

[L in Ontario]

I have powdered kelp and cuttlebone in all cages all the time. When breeding shaved cuttlebone is added in their seeds. I also give liquid iodine once a week to all my birds. Never had balding (touch wood).

Good luck!

Do you administer it directly or in their water?

I put it in their drinking water.

[Finch Fry]

Looks like he is molting,if those are pin feathers on top of his head.

Yes, there are pin feathers coming in for sure right behind the lost feathers.

??? so .. maybe its molting???