Aussie Finch Forum

Hi Guys
I also have some Lineolated Parakeets. They have bred quite well for me so far.
I love them, they look a little like baby budgies, but are very gentle.
My main breeding hen plucks herself bald (except head wings and tail) each time she has a nest. Take the box away and she grows the feathers all back. As soon as she has a nest she is bald again. I have spoken to a couple of breeders, who said they have seen some plucking, but not to this extent. She seems to be extremely healthy (just looks ugly), so maybe I shouldn't worry.

Cheers
Frank

OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD I LOVE LINNIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn't realise anyone really had them anymore! last time I looked they were $4000 a piar which is probably why I don't have any.

Is she lining the nest with the feathers ? ( my conure boy will pull feathers from his chest for the nest box )

Is she carrying mites ? ( often hard to see )

How many clutches is she raising each season ? ( could be lacking something causing her to itch )

Geez if only birds could talk life would be simpler ....

Ive just done a quick google and a bacterial infection can be a common cause of feather plucking in L/Parakeets ...
Also shy / timid birds will feather pluck ...

I paid $4500 for my first pair

Just sold a Mauve Hen for $4000 2 Jades for $2000 each

In answer to jusdeb. She is lining the nest. I put mouse-wire on the bottom of the box (stops splayed legs), then wood-shavings (which falls through and around the wire, so they are not standing on the bare wire), then I put in nesting grass, which they weave into a round nest (this gets destroyed once the young are around 2-3 weeks old). Then she lines it with feathers.

Do you think she would line the nest with feathers that you put in yourself ?
Would that stop her from feeling the need to pluck her own ?

Might be worth a trial and its only going to cost you $5 or $6 for a bag of sterile feathers .

Good thinking ninety nine, I have the feathers already for my finches.

good luck .