Overpreening?

[Birblover7]

I’m not sure if this counts as health questions, but everyday this little guy gets more and more missing feathers and blood spots
I have stronger reason to believe it’s the father as his mother also is missing feathers

It’s on his face and front neck/chest as well but harder to keep him still from that angle

 

[Birblover7]

Should I pull and hand feed him?

 

[Zara]

This is not overpreening, this is being plucked and I imagine it is very painful.

Should I pull and hand feed him?

No

I have stronger reason to believe it’s the father as his mother also is missing feathers

Remove the father and house him separately.

 

[Birblover7]

The father is the only one who feeds her though I’ve never once seen the mother go in the box since she hatched

 

[Zara]

Then remove all the chicks for hand feeding and separate the parents so the hen does not get attacked.

 

[Birblover7]

He doesn’t pluck her nearly as much

 

[Zara]

He doesn’t pluck her nearly as much

Plucking a little is enough for us to step in and separate birds.

No bird should have to tolerate having their feathers plucking out of their bodies.

 

[Pixiebeak]

Agree baby is getting feathers pulled out.

On occasion this can be from missing nutritional needs in parents .

What is parents diet ?

The rest of time behavioral. And with this much getting pulled out, and not wanting the feather follicle damaged for life , like Zara recommended I would pull and raise the chick.

 

[Birblover7]

He is fed roudybush and I give him millet like 3 times a week

 

[Birblover7]

We pulled their babies

 

[Pixiebeak]

We pulled their babies

Good luck with babies ! Hope you come back with happy updates

 

[Birblover7]

 

[Pixiebeak]

View attachment 442334

Babies !

 

[Emma&pico]

I hope hand feeding goes well

 

[Birblover7]

Took a few feedings to get them to take food from us but they eat well now!