Thinning feathers around head. Any ideas?

[Snapper]

I've noticed that one of my pairs of garden fantails have developed thinning feathers on their heads. Looks as though they've been in the water. Otherwise healthy looking. Is this anything to be concerned about? Would be glad of any advice.

[Guest shadow]

pROBABLY STARTING TO MOULT

[THE FIFER]

THIS HOT WEATHER IS PUTTING BIRDS ON THE MOULT QHICKER

[Snapper]

Thanks for the help. Pfew! Glad it's nothing serious.

[samantha]

i was worried about the same thing, but its only one bird, i have loads of spare next boxes and bowls but he and his hen are determined to nest in the penthouse! which is a tiny bit of space at the top and its hotest up there, his head looks so thin that hes earholes (for want of a better word are clearly visable, and he looks thin and not at his best, shall i just put it down to early molt ?

[bewted]

hi sam,as he is at top in heat,he will moult more and quicker,,,,ted

[jimmy white]

yes my few stock birds that were paired early and bred a few rounds, are showing signs of that as well now, , in fact all the birds will show that in the next few weeks,  the start of the big moult, natures way of giving them a new coat for the winter :)

[Guest speckled]

;D ;D ;D  well thay tend to start moulting from the nose down wards, but like all say i the hot weather, but just think, ;D ;D ;D what  stuning birds thay will look early next year?. Sam my 2 fantails have gone the same way, (lola & harold) wooooooooo thay are starting to look ugly :) ,but think  say november on wards thay will look a million dollers ready for any show. & fully feathered ready for breeding.as ya no nothing like have a full st of feathers,come breeding lol ;D ;D ;D Nice to see thay have settled in there new loft.All the best Speck :) seeif i can get a pic of my pair ok

[Peckedhen]

Yeah, my young birds are moulting  - is it still OK to fly them when they are almost bald around the head?  Not racing, I'm only thinking 30 miles or so? :-/

[Tony C]

Yeah, my young birds are moulting  - is it still OK to fly them when they are almost bald around the head?  Not racing, I'm only thinking 30 miles or so? :-/

 

 

 

Peckedhen I wouldn't train them if bald around their head.

[Guest Paulo]

Leave them to get through the moult in peace its important they get decent feathers grown in. Give them, plenty of linseed.

[samantha]

thanks for your replys guys and nice to see you again ladies, speckled your posts always make me smile  

[Guest speckled]

;D ;D Is  that so Sam. ;D ;D well as paulo say plenty of red band condtioning seed wont do any harm, ;D ;D  add, some oill to the corn.well i do i use olive oil.? :) all these will make the moult come thought fine.PS dont over load the oil seed.will have wet dropping otherwise .Good luck  ;

                                                     Speck.

[jimmy white]

you forgot about plenty baths speck ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D had to get that in ;D ;D ;D

[Guest speckled]

;D ;D  what with the fountain you have to be lol, knee hi lol ;D ;D ;D ;D just trying to help, cant all be perfect.ah  :K) ;D ;D ;D ;D Speck ;D :P

[peterpau]

I normally find when they start to loose there feathers on top of the head it's time to clean out LOL

[Guest Paulo]

Mine are dropping to pieces at the minute sick of sweeping feathers out

[FancyDan]

Hi new poster here....

 

I've got 8 garden fantails (2 pairs of older birds and 2 pairs of chicks, born in June and August).  The olderbirds are all going bald round the head and neck. I'd assumed this was to do with lice as they seem to keep pruning and scratching alot. A couple younger birds have these 'splinter' like feathers under their beaks which again sound like lice, as per the symptons described in the lice thread above.  

 

Can anyone confirm these are the symptons of lice - or are they simply moulting? ps they do like to bathe a lot too.

 

[bewted]

hi fancydan,they are going into the big moult,,,,ted