Hi, dad has taken over with the 5-to-6-week chickees since last week and mom is in a separate cage now.

Is it okay for the blue in his cere to be so clearly demarcated like this?

He gets seed, Kaytee pellets, spinach, millet, & Abba 92A mixed with grated carrot. There's cuttle bone & mineral block in there as well.

He supplement-feeds only the youngest on a regular basis; he'll "oblige" the next 2 youngest once in a while.

He's a good boy, active with a lovely temperament and not overly harsh on the discipline :thumbs_up:

Searched around but can't find a topic quite like this... the closest being the discussions about testicular cancer?

 

Is his cere always like that?? it looks more like the pied gene affecting the colour rather than an issue.

Thanks for responding, I'm ashamed to say I don't know!!!

I don't have one decent picture of his cere going back 2 years!

I think I should relax and stop being so paranoid then.............

Looks very normal to me Kate, it's just partially "pied out".

 

Often the pied gene removes colour from the cere in patches too, just like the body and you end up with pink/blue mottled cere (feet too sometimes). The pink parts still look like a good colour for a cock bird (inos, lacewings etc all have ceres this pinky purple colour).

 

I love judging these birds at shows (as I don't have pieds in my aviary) to see the amazing array of different colours and patterns ALL OVER their body.

Thanks nubbly5, very interesting! I'll just keep an eye on him then ... must stop hovering! lol