Aussie Finch Forum

I have 3 gouldians from the same nest in a cabinet (1.5x.5x.5). I've noticed recently that two of the are starting to loose head feathers. Is it more likely that males are pecking females or vise versa, or is it more likely to be random?

Cheers
Ian

most often its one dominant male who will feather pluck anybody else in his cage, males or females regardless.

I have 3 gouldians from the same nest in a cabinet

Are these fully coloured or young?

It could also be just the way some gouldians are.
I had one that started losing her head feathers during the breeding season. After two clutches and looking like a little vulture I separated her and within a few months she was back to looking normal again.

Some say its hormonal, or stress others say its lack of iodine, Im leaning more to the hormonal/stress as it could be that the act of laying eggs, brooding and raising chicks would put a strain on the birds system and the head feathers would be the logical place that could be lost with out costing the bird too much.

I might still have a pic of her somewhere, will have a look.

Yeah have you seen any pecking ? My girl looks like a fat vulture at the moment and does every time she is on eggs . not from pecking just the way they are .
Check out my pair , is she fugly or what ? Beak goes black and she just goes to the pack , talk about a slob

ooh, nasty

nice double bars, much better feather than mine were

Shes a shocker hey This was her last time she was on eggs , took the nest of her and she bounced back in a month or 2 . Back on eggs and she loses it again.

Her neighbours are cute little guys. But she could really do with a makeover. I mean, I know no one else is supposed to be looking when a girls on eggs....but.
LML

Barefoot and pregnant finch style

Unfortunately I dont have a pic of my RH vulture, I thought I took one but maybe not.
She was much worse that Debs girl, think totally bald

Yeah they are all uncoloured young. I think one of the ones getting pecked is a male if his singing practice is anything to go by. Not sure about the other two.