I have a grey male cockatiel, and he is currently breeding. However, I've noticed that he is going bald and has a cut on his head. Is it something to do with dieting, or could it be mites?
Answers:
It's not mites and it's not dieting. My cockatiel has had it a couple of time and vet can treat it easily! It'll be fine as soon as it's treated (and doesn't get infected).
Your bird could've accidentaly scrached itself!
Bald? Like on his head? Most likely the other bird with him is bullying him a bit. If the missing feathers are on the top of his head he isn't the one picking them, another bird is. The cut on his head is also a big indicator that he's being bullied. You should seperate them before you end up with an injured/dead bird if this is the case.
molting is normal...i think
Alot of cockatiels have a hereditary bald spot just behind their crest you just might not notice it at first ?
First question to you is does thia bird and his mate have a separate cage of their own to breed in? If they do then it is obviously the hen that is doing some plucking. Feathers missing on the head can only be from another bird unless it is around the eye area. Mites and lice can cause excess scratching and overpreening so it would be an idea to rule out parasites as the cause. If the hen is doing this and is laying eggs or at some stage of breeding then she may have a nutritional disorder. Make sure she has adequate calcium and a good variety of seed and fresh foods.
Some birds are just pluckers too and there is not much that can be done except separate them from the rest. If this pair is breeding then it is probably not the best option as both parents are required to incubate and raise young. If she is doing the plucking however be aware she may also pluck the chicks as soon as they begin to feather. If she does then you have no option but to remove the chicks and it would be unwise to breed with her in the future.
There are some anti-plucking sprays available but I have never used them so cannot comment on their effectiveness.
For now keep a close eye on them and see exactly who is doing what to who. The cut may be him trying to pull away from her and he caught himself on something sharp.
If it is a cmmunity cage with numerous birds you need to find out exactly who is plucking and remove them. Usually the culprit is the only one with a nice crest and full head of feathers.
Normal grey cockatiels do not have that hereditary balding, only certain other mutations do. It isn't mites.
It can be common among breeding pairs %26 can go either way, female beats %26 plucks male or male beats %26 plucks female. The only real thing you can do is keep a VERY close eye on them %26 seperate them if you have to.
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