Newest Newbie Problem with owls

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The Maltese
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Joined: 06 May 2017, 21:21
Location: Malta

Newbie here saying hello and asking for some advice ... I do not waste too much time but have a bit of a desperate situation.

Ok, so I have 8 owl finches which I believe are a good mix of males and females. Untill two days ago they showed no interest in nest building no matter what nesting material or nests I provided.

Yesterday I built a shelf with some wicker nests beneath it with tons of cover (faux plants) and finally today i noticed that they have ignored the wicker nests and built a nest on the shelf!!! :D

However. :purplex: I have also noticed that one of the owls is being heavily plucked at the back of her neck and had blood beneath her beak :?: Anyone has any idea what might be going on?

Thanks for your feedback
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finchbreeder
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The good news is you have found a nesting situation they like. I have also found that my breeding hens get scruffy round the neck, so that bit is not a problem. But blood round the beak? Could she be lacking something? Do they get plenty of fresh greens? Access to natural sunlight for a couple of hours each day?
Welcome to the forum.
LML
LML
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finches247
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Hi & Welcome to the Forum :wave:
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matcho
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First of all welcome to the forum Maltese. You will get heaps of info on here.

I haven't kept this particular finch for over 40 years but one thing I do know is that they are communal roosters and build a roosting nest. Perhaps this may be what is happening at the moment. In regards to the blood and feather issue I can't help but no doubt someone will advise accordingly.

Good luck

Ken.
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Nat&Glenn
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Hi and welcome to the forum
Good luck
Nat and Glenn
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Tiaris
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The plucking in these parts of the body on highly social species such as doublebars is nearly always caused by over-zealous mutual preening by its mate(s). If it becomes really severe, the affected bird may have to be separated until the feathers regrow, but it is purely a cosmetic issue.
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Fishies_finches
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Location: NSW Bateau Bay

I'm not sure if this is the same, but I remember I did once read that for diamond firetail finches, the partners will pick at their feathers to use the white feathers for nesting material as they desire white feathers.
So I would suggest putting in some white feathers, and maybe they are similar to diamond firetails, once you've supplied the feathers hopefully the pecking of feathers on the bird stops.
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COUNTRY CAPITAL
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that last tip seems a great idea....supply some white feathers for nest lining as mine really go for them. :thumbup:
also Lebanese cucumber....
good luck!
CC
Aussie finch tragic.rodent/snake terroriser.
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