Hi All,

Had a problem with a bird (AQUARIUS) with hormone imbalance last season, cere turned brown. Was advised lack of iodine, fixed him by adding iodine to water etc. he went on to fill 10 eggs rear 9 chicks. He has been good up to now, his cere has again turned brown.

 

My problem is, what do I do now? Do I increase the iodine by caging him for treatment?

 

or is it dangerous to up the dosage, I have had soluble iodine in aviary water for all birds at a rate of 7 drops per litre.

 

He must have been getting iodine from the water as he would have to drink. He hasn't been tried for breeding again yet and hasn't shown any interest in hens etc.

 

Any suggestions greatly appreciated, as he bred beautiful chicks last time and was hoping for more this season.

I had a cocks cere turn brown but its now back to a bright blue, he filled his first round fine with a brown cere, flirting like crazy and mating constantly. He didnt fill the first 3 eggs of round 2 but has since filled the next SIX.

 

So while a brown cere can indicate problems, im not 100% sure its always worth worrying about, just paying attention to.

Thanks Dean,

After treating him last season his cere returned to bright blue, then he bred some lovely chicks. I haven't paired him up, would it be worth pairing him while his cere is brown to see if he "can perform"? or re-treat him to see if that works. I don't want to risk him by extra iodine if it can be harmful.

An update on hormone problem.

After reading Dean's reply I thought I'd give Aquarius another try. Paired him with a known good breeding hen, 10 days later 1st egg!! We now have 4 eggs. Candled eggs to-day at least 2 are showing veins so I'm keeping everything crossed on some live chicks. His cere is still showing partly brown some blue returning. He just finished moulting before pairing so wondered if cere changed during moult?

Edited October 25, 201014 yr by robyn

Another update.

 

picture 1 Aquarius & Missy. His cere has returned to blue now.

 

 

 

 

 

NOW NO 2 picture.

New chicks, 2 in picture no 3 arrived late yesterday. ! clear egg, (1st I think) 4 eggs to go looking fertile.

 

There ya go I think people over-react to brown ceres on cocks. It DOES indicate something hormonal going on and DOES require some attention, but unless the bird seems unwell or in pain or has changed in personality, i really dont worry. My cock bird that went brown cered has completely returned to normal and is chasing anything that moves in the aviary!

I was given a cock because "he bred last year and he may this year but his cere is starting to go brown so you can have him for nothing". I put him down, cause he was flirting with a hen, with a brown cere, and like your boy, his cere then went bright blue. He only filled two eggs, but filled eggs nonetheless. I think it could be a sign of maybe going toward retirement? Maybe, but like Dean said, its still worth a try until he's not filling eggs anymore. Glad your boy is still "working" for you

Thank's Dean & Sunnie,

We've got 4 now one more due today, in my case he wasn't showing any interest in the "girls" at all. He was just sitting, preening, eating and that was it. I paired him up just to see the result. Maybe he just plays hard to get. l.o.l. Really glad I did now, he bred beautiful soft coloured opaline chicks last time. He was with sky normal last time now with hen in picture. waiting to see this clutch feather up.

 

I did mention he had just moulted when his cere was brown. Does anyone know if hormones go haywire at moulting and if that could be the reason?

Edited November 13, 201014 yr by robyn

All 7 eggs hatched and looking good!!. Can't wait to see colours this time.

Good news

Yet another update.

 

Well all 7 babies are nearly ready for kindy. Colours range from violet , mauve, to grey mostly spangle. Just posted pics budgie pictures. So I won't be concerned about changing cere's now. Just keep an eye on things.