One of my good Pieds, over a 2 week period has lost feathers on one leg, and alot of feathers under its belly more towards its bum area. It is in a cabinet and the hen is sitting on 7 eggs.

WOuld it be worth spraying the bird for lice / mite, or is it more like he is just plucking them himself?

 

Can you spray the birds whilst in the cabinets for lice / mites whilst in the cabinets? If the spray gets in there water can it be bad?

Edited November 24, 200816 yr by **Liv**

He may be plucking them but it would be unusual, is he a stressy bird or could you catch him and have a closer look. I've never had a problem catching up a bird to checka ring or whatever and then returning it to th cabinet.

He may be plucking them but it would be unusual, is he a stressy bird or could you catch him and have a closer look. I've never had a problem catching up a bird to checka ring or whatever and then returning it to th cabinet.

 

 

catching the bird isnt a problem.

i just noticed that it is getting worse today.

Ive just paired up some more birds today and i try and leave them for a few days without disturbing them.

Birds should be treated for mites and worms and anything like that before putting down to breed as they need to be in optimum health to breed.

I agree with Kaz, every bird that I catch to put in a breeding cage gets a ivermec spot on before they go in unless they have had one very recently, I also check their beak and toes at the same time and feel their keel bone to make sure they aren't skinny.

Birds should be treated for mites and worms and anything like that before putting down to breed as they need to be in optimum health to breed.

this has happened since him being put down to breed. he is still in great condition and chasing the hen around whenever she comes out of the box wanting more action. they have 7 eggs already.He is still very energetic. i thought maybe he might have just plucked them cause he was bored.do you think it would be alright to spray him even though he is breeding? Just take him out to spray him?

I agree with Kaz, every bird that I catch to put in a breeding cage gets a ivermec spot on before they go in unless they have had one very recently, I also check their beak and toes at the same time and feel their keel bone to make sure they aren't skinny.

ivermec spot??????????

Birds should be treated for mites and worms and anything like that before putting down to breed as they need to be in optimum health to breed.

this has happened since him being put down to breed. he is still in great condition and chasing the hen around whenever she comes out of the box wanting more action. they have 7 eggs already.He is still very energetic. i thought maybe he might have just plucked them cause he was bored.do you think it would be alright to spray him even though he is breeding? Just take him out to spray him?

I agree with Kaz, every bird that I catch to put in a breeding cage gets a ivermec spot on before they go in unless they have had one very recently, I also check their beak and toes at the same time and feel their keel bone to make sure they aren't skinny.

ivermec spot??????????

Did you treat them before you put them down to breed ?

Budgies rarely pluck themselves...its more common in parrots. Have you looked to see if they have feather mites or have you checked nestboxes or cabinets for red mites ?

Ivermectin spot on, its a back of the neck treatment for external parasites, much like Frontline for dogs

The avery is brand new, cabinets brand new.

He is the only bird out of all my birds like this. even the hen is fine that he is paired with.

 

Im going to take him out today and give him a spray and let him sunbake for an hour in the sun so he drys off.

Inspect him for mites. You need to know what mites if any, you are dealing with. I have just had a red mite infestation that started with one cockbird and has gone through all cabinets, nestboxes and birds. You really need a magnifying glass and determine what mites you have if you do have mites. If mites they may well be in the crevices of your cabinets, new or not.

Mites are nasty buggers that are a real headache to get rid of. Hope the treatment is going well Kaz