Aussie Finch Forum

Just wondering if any one can help.
Have a female gould and have treated for mites.She is in great health & has been wormed.
Is this feather loss due to mites or is it a nutritional problem or could it be stress. She is the only one in a flock of 30 in a large avery and is very lively.
Heres some pics.




Thanks

The hens feather loss could be due to all of those things, it's hard to tell which one, she could also be bullied by other birds in the aviary if there's 30 in there.

It could also be fungal dermatitis or one of several bacterial infections. The only way to know is to have the bird examined by a vet, and have the skin examined microscopically. Treatments are different depending on the cause.
Mike Fidler considers this to be a genetic problem and culls affected hens from his flocks. It certainly is not an uncommon problem in Gouldians.

Best thing you can do is keep her away from the rest, treat her again with mite and lice spray in apporx 2 weeks. This will eliminate the bulling aspect and lice. Keep her in there for about a month by then pin feathers should be starting to show, had some cases of this with bulling being the most common reason. You could also add soluvet liquid vitamins by vetafarm if like it won't hurt at all.

I have a female gould and in all reality she looks like a vulture whenever she starts the breeding season. Prior to this after moulting she is perfect. Has happened for the past 3 years and is presently on her 3rd clutch. She is a good hen, wormed, liced etc. This year will be her last. Don't know what causes it though. Have seen previous posts where members have the similar situation.

Yep had one like that , only time she ever feathered up was when she was on her own . Never saw any signs of bullying or feather plucking so maybe the stress of aviary life contributed , I dont know .
She was also a chronic egg layer in an aviary situation .
She was also the lighter / lilac chested colour , coincidence maybe?

Deb,
Not of the lighter colour but did buy her from a pet shop when I first started 3 seasons ago. None of the other birds have the same problem, just her. She is a great mother. This will be her last season but the next question is this......do I sell her on or just let her live out her days solo (however long that may be). I couldn't bear the big E word!

If you have another avairy with compatible birds and no Gouldians, she could do her retirement there.
LML

If she's been a good breeder for you, put her into retirement that's the best thing you can do for her. I do that for my good breeders just a little thanxs for what they done for me by keeping it intresting.

Might have to invest in an aviary just for the retirees if your anything like me Matcho .

A Finchy Hilton for the over 3s.

Would be a shame if you sold her , the next owner is only going to try to breed , least if you keep her you know what becomes of her.