Nasty Hen??

15 Oct 2011, 21:47

The hen of my zebra breeding pair has taken a liking to plucking feathers off the male. His neck is now bear to the point you can see his crop. He doesn't seem to mind. They have just raised their first clutch and it started just after the babies fledged which they are now seperated. Looks like she eats the feathers - could this be dietry related or does he just need to stand up for himself or should I seperate them? Help please...

16 Oct 2011, 17:58

It could be that she needs more calcium in her diet especially after raising chicks! My Zebs have Cuttlebone and shell grit available as well as course river sand on the floor. This allows plenty to choose from. Maybe see how they go for now and if she does it again try her with a different cock bird he may be alittle too docile for her??

Do they get plenty of sun??

16 Oct 2011, 18:05

my zebs get cutlebone , grit .egg and bix mix, fresh vegs, soft food , and sometime life food , i think it might be a calucim proplem

16 Oct 2011, 18:24

Possibly she has just given him a good preen. Over done it. Or he has just liked it so much.

16 Oct 2011, 20:39

I have cuttle fish & shell grit for them.
They actually don't get a whole lot of sun. I have them in a flight cage which is not vermon proof so at night they're inside and during the day (when there's someone around) the cage hangs on the wall outside on the verandah.
I guess I'll give them another week and see how they go.

Thanks guys

20 Oct 2011, 22:48

ZebraLyn wrote:I have cuttle fish & shell grit for them.
They actually don't get a whole lot of sun. I have them in a flight cage which is not vermon proof so at night they're inside and during the day (when there's someone around) the cage hangs on the wall outside on the verandah.
I guess I'll give them another week and see how they go.

Thanks guys

If you're afraid that they aren't getting enough sunlight, I would recommend adding some Avi-Cal to the water. Not only will this act as a calcium supplement, but also serves to give them a decent dosage of Vitamin D3 which birds normally get from Sunlight.

21 Oct 2011, 11:50

I assume you have given them more nesting materials to start a fresh nest or refurbish the old and she is not plucking him for the feathers?
LML