Bad Case Of Moult?

[calvino 0]

Hi guys,

 

I got am worried about my 6 yr old male cockatiel who looks like he's becoming bald.

 

I keep him caged with a young 1 yr old female cockatiel, and i have never seen her harassing him before.

 

This is the first time ive seen him like this, he has never had moults this bad before, i keep my cage clean, and the other cockatiel seems to be fine.

 

I checked the droppings, they seem normal, and the behaviour of both cockatiels don't seem to be abnormal, Any suggestions to what this might be?

 

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u45/cur...52/DSC03410.jpg

 

Thanks.

Edited June 26, 2010 by KAZ
over sized photos

[GenericBlue 0]

their is a teial sight conected to our member livs signiture

however i think a vet may be needed could be stress or could be beak n feather which would mean your other birds are at risk

pm liv cheers shes good with teails

[calvino 0]

their is a teial sight conected to our member livs signiture

however i think a vet may be needed could be stress or could be beak n feather which would mean your other birds are at risk

pm liv cheers shes good with teails

 

Thanks

[Ratzy 0]

http://www.totallytiels.com/forum/index.php

Here's the link.

[lealotta 0]

has your cockatiel bonded with the young female cockatiel you've got? do they preen each other? I've got a bonded pair of cockatiels and they do rip each others feathers out sometimes while they preen each other. it is quite common for bonded pairs to do that.

[calvino 0]

has your cockatiel bonded with the young female cockatiel you've got? do they preen each other? I've got a bonded pair of cockatiels and they do rip each others feathers out sometimes while they preen each other. it is quite common for bonded pairs to do that.

 

I believe their bonded, ive seen them mating sometimes (i don't have a nest box yet though), and i see them preen each other, although if thats the case, it's just the female ripping the male's feathers. If it's her, should i seperate them?

[lealotta 0]

has your cockatiel bonded with the young female cockatiel you've got? do they preen each other? I've got a bonded pair of cockatiels and they do rip each others feathers out sometimes while they preen each other. it is quite common for bonded pairs to do that.

 

I believe their bonded, ive seen them mating sometimes (i don't have a nest box yet though), and i see them preen each other, although if thats the case, it's just the female ripping the male's feathers. If it's her, should i seperate them?

 

no, i wouldn't seperate them. it is a sign of love and affection, but i would keep an eye on this behavior. i found that they have 'periods' of plucking...maybe when they are in breeding condition. would only seperate if she does it all the time.

 

i have a male cockatiel that plucks his hen's feathers...she has a bald patch behind her crest just like your male in the photo.

and i've got another hen that rips her partners crest out. it is not an aggressive behavior. it is more a possesive behavior and sign of affection i think.

Edited June 26, 2010 by lealotta

[lealotta 0]

here some more information on feather plucking in cockatiels:

click here

 

hope this helps.

Edited June 26, 2010 by lealotta

[calvino 0]

Thanks for the great info on that link,

 

I think it answered most my questions. I think this is the behaviour of a coupled cockatiel.

Edited June 26, 2010 by calvino

[**KAZ** 0]

Topic closed now as we are not a tiel forum.