Posted June 6, 200519 yr I have 2 , 3 week old babys. They are healthy , but the mum has plucked there feathers out, and she is still doing it even though they are bald. they do have all their end wing , tail , and some chest feathers. but their head, and back is bare.I noticed this 4 days ago, when I had to put one back in the box after it had fallen out. I then saw their condition and kept watch. Its definatly mum. they still get fed, but by mum or dad???? any advice would be apriciated.
June 6, 200519 yr First thing I would advise is get them away from mum, or mum away from them. They are being tortured, and it must be stopped, even if you have to plague your vet to death for guidance on hand rearing. Come on breeders, help please!!! Anne
June 6, 200519 yr I have 2 , 3 week old babys. They are healthy , but the mum has plucked there feathers out, and she is still doing it even though they are bald. they do have all their end wing , tail , and some chest feathers. but their head, and back is bare.I noticed this 4 days ago, when I had to put one back in the box after it had fallen out. I then saw their condition and kept watch. Its definatly mum. they still get fed, but by mum or dad???? any advice would be apriciated. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have just taken mum away. does anyone know why they do this? she didn't do it to her last baby and I'm worried about any future ones.
June 6, 200519 yr My 3 babies started having this done to them and I found out it was a baby I had bought a couple of months ago doing the plucking - Now that the eldest baby is out of the box the two left are not being plucked anymore and all feathers are growing back - Go figure! As for hand feeding Egg Food is good but I would really only use this as a last resort - but dad does most of the feeding usually anyways - keep an eye on their crops and if they have a yellowy bump just under their neck they are being fed! Edited June 6, 200519 yr by Vicky
June 7, 200519 yr I have 2 , 3 week old babys. They are healthy , but the mum has plucked there feathers out, and she is still doing it even though they are bald. they do have all their end wing , tail , and some chest feathers. but their head, and back is bare.I noticed this 4 days ago, when I had to put one back in the box after it had fallen out. I then saw their condition and kept watch. Its definatly mum. they still get fed, but by mum or dad???? any advice would be apriciated. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have just taken mum away. does anyone know why they do this? she didn't do it to her last baby and I'm worried about any future ones. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Dad should take over feedings. I think stress has a lot to do with the plucking. Not that you are doing anything wrong, but there in an inherent amount of stress that goes with raising baby birds. At three weeks of age, mom has just spent the past three weeks, plus the past (roughly) 3 - 4 weeks before that stuck in a small, cramped nest box eating regurgitated food and holding in her poop. And that is only if it is her first round. If she is on her second clutch, then double that and add another two weeks for the first clutch to completely fledge and leave the box. How stir crazy would you be?? She needs a good rest, but if she is bred again next season, I'd watch her. If she starts to pluck babies again, retire her from breeding permanently. Edited June 7, 200519 yr by Rainbow
June 7, 200519 yr Do you know how to hand feed the babies? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am now hand feeding them and everything is going well. dad stressed when I took mum away and was too interested in what had happened to her. the babies have taken well to being hand fed. :parrot: can anyone tell me if their feathers will grow back okay????
June 7, 200519 yr They should. But sometimes the mum damages the root of the feather....if this is the case then the feathers don't grow back properly. How longs the plucking been happening???
June 7, 200519 yr Hi wrk, you have had a rough time or should I say your babies have. Can you put a picture up so we can see them. then we might be able to tell you how bad the plucking was. Are they feeding okay with you? If so thats great and good luck. I have a plucker and I am not sure if I am going to breed her again , because I have to foster her babies out. I hope yours are doing well with you feeding them. Good luck
June 8, 200519 yr Hi wrk, you have had a rough time or should I say your babies have. Can you put a picture up so we can see them. then we might be able to tell you how bad the plucking was. Are they feeding okay with you? If so thats great and good luck. I have a plucker and I am not sure if I am going to breed her again , because I have to foster her babies out. I hope yours are doing well with you feeding them. Good luck <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I wish I new how to put a picture up, but I'm new to using a computer. I will have a go though. I don't know how long its been going on for, and they are feeding realy well for me.
June 8, 200519 yr I wish I new how to put a picture up, but I'm new to using a computer. I will have a go though. I don't know how long its been going on for, and they are feeding realy well for me. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well done on the feeding wrk . I hope everything works out. Highlighted in pink there is a how to post pictures on the fourm. Have a look and see how you go. good luck.
June 9, 200519 yr Hi wrk, you have had a rough time or should I say your babies have. Can you put a picture up so we can see them. then we might be able to tell you how bad the plucking was. Are they feeding okay with you? If so thats great and good luck. I have a plucker and I am not sure if I am going to breed her again , because I have to foster her babies out. I hope yours are doing well with you feeding them. Good luck This a photo of the babies. sorry its a bit big http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a308/wrk/6288a241.jpg Edited June 9, 200519 yr by Rainbow
June 9, 200519 yr OMG! ................Those poor little things! I've never seen such badly plucked babies! I'm so glad that you're taking over their care now. Put a nice piece of warm bedding wherever you've got them....poor darlings don't have much feathers to keep them warm. Edited June 9, 200519 yr by Bea
June 9, 200519 yr Ouch. I'm glad they are feeding well for you. I don't think I would use that hen for breeding anymore.
June 11, 200519 yr This a photo of the babies. sorry its a bit bighttp://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a308/wrk/6288a241.jpg <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That would have to be the worst plucking I have seen! I'm glad you are looking after them. The 1 on the right looks like the feathers will grow back, and the 1 on the left, well just wait and see if the pins start to come through. good luck.
June 11, 200519 yr This a photo of the babies. sorry its a bit big http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a308/wrk/6288a241.jpg <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That would have to be the worst plucking I have seen! I'm glad you are looking after them. The 1 on the right looks like the feathers will grow back, and the 1 on the left, well just wait and see if the pins start to come through. good luck. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You are right!!! The baby on the right is nearly covered in fluffy feathers already. but the one on the left is still the same. it is a week younger then the other one, so I hope it is just the age difference.
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