Aussie Finch Forum

Ok...Ive had a Gouldian in quarantine for about a week when I noticed that he had a funny crusty thing growing above one of his eyes. Ii teated for mites and worms and when I got home today I got a cotton tip and rubbed some of the scaly mite oil over his head and OMG!!! SOME OF THE OLD SKIN WITH THE FEATHERS CAME OFF!!! There seems to be new skin underneath but it looks as though there is more skin that will eventually come off and his head will be completely bald!!! I have never had this happen before!!! Any clues as to what is wrong with him? Will his feathers grow back in time?

I have consulted all of my books and cant find anything definitive Im hesitant to post pics as it is pretty awful looking. The bird is eating and drink and moving around ok. No signs of going light either. Any clues guys???

Have seen a few bald gouldians in my time , can be an iodine definancy and stress from breeding can bring it on, they should grow back for the next moult... pete

Agree with Poitta, have a hen who looks magnificent prior to breeding but when she starts breeding turns into a "Vulture". Great breeder/hen. It just happens, although I read somewhere on this site that it may be a hereditry thing and breeders cull those that have this trait. Anyhow this is her 3rd season and bought her from a pet shop so I don't know how old she is. She will be retired this year, retired, not sold on, and not the big E word. Deserves a good retirement.

Now that his head is almost bald-the same yellowy crusty layer is forming over the new skin Could this me some sort of fungal infection and not mite related? None of my other Gouldians are having this issue. I may post some pics up when Iget back home form work later this week.