I have a nest of four baby budgies. The eldest baby has hardly any flight feathers left and the smallest one in the nest has no tail feathers. The eldest is five weeks old and the smallest four weeks old. The two in the middle seem to have all their feathers. Would this be French Moult or could the mother in wanting to lay her second clutch be either pulling them out or stressing the babies to the point that the feathers are falling out? Any ideas?

Could be either, can you separate Mum from babies and leave Dad to finish the job? If you want 2nd round maybe put chicks on floor with Dad with a cover for them to hide under e.g ice cream container cut away on one side.

See if feathers start to grow back.Even add pics on here to see what others think.

french moult you would first notice loss of flight feathers and tail, but not total loss of body

feathers in most cases....sounds like plucking going on and you need to figure out which parent is doing it....can you post photos for confirmation ?

Edited June 12, 201312 yr by **KAZ**

I have a nest of four baby budgies. The eldest baby has hardly any flight feathers left and the smallest one in the nest has no tail feathers. The eldest is five weeks old and the smallest four weeks old. The two in the middle seem to have all their feathers. Would this be French Moult or could the mother in wanting to lay her second clutch be either pulling them out or stressing the babies to the point that the feathers are falling out? Any ideas?

 

All four of the babies have all their body feathers and wing and some small tail feathers but don't have their flight feathers or their long tail feathers. Will try tomorrow to get some photos to post. Thank you for your ideas.

Does sound like french moult then Annie

I have a nest of four baby budgies. The eldest baby has hardly any flight feathers left and the smallest one in the nest has no tail feathers. The eldest is five weeks old and the smallest four weeks old. The two in the middle seem to have all their feathers. Would this be French Moult or could the mother in wanting to lay her second clutch be either pulling them out or stressing the babies to the point that the feathers are falling out? Any ideas?

 

All four of the babies have all their body feathers and wing and some small tail feathers but don't have their flight feathers or their long tail feathers. Will try tomorrow to get some photos to post. Thank you for your ideas.