Loss of flight feathers.

[matcho]

I have been watching my birds and every one (Goulds) went through the moult very well. Noticed after the moult was completed that one of my cock birds, a real good looker and good breeder (second season) started to have his flight feathers not looking quite right, splayed out. Saw him once in a while,something wasn't right. Anyhow haven't seen him for about 3 weeks. I don't like going into the aviary unless it is really necessary. Today I was using the vacuum to clear the floor from the outside when sure enough he pops out of a nest low down in the shrub, cant fly, no flight feathers, runs around like a mouse, healthy as buggery but has no flight feathers and can't get any height. Diet is sprouted seed every day, quality dry seed, greens (dandelion and seeding grass) plus grit, eggshell and cuttlefish. Aviary faces north, plenty of sun.

Baffles me... any ideas?

Ken

[vettepilot_6]

Maybe another gouldian dominated him? Have seen odd one of mine with pulled flight feathers. ..not to that extant though. ..

[Craig52]

I agree with VP, when i had gouldians some of the cocks were very aggressive. I witnessed dominant cock birds swinging around other cocks by their outer flight feathers only to be released by the lose of that feather. Craig

[garymc]

Are the flight feathers completely missing or partially missing. If partially missing pluck out the feathers in question to encourage new growth (a step backwards to go forwards) or you'll be waiting until he moults next before he gets the new flight feathers

[matcho]

Gary,

He has none of the long primary flight feathers on each wing, tries to fly but just flutters, no lift off. Still as healthy as. Hopefully he will make it through this season and through the next moult. I am keeping an eye on the nest he is in. All chicks, if any, will be ringed and closely monitored. Any sight that this is a genetic thing, well, we all know the deal.

Ken.