bird lost feathers around beak

BennyGeorgia · Member Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 6

My hen has lost some feathers and looks scruffy around the beak area, what could be causing this I need help. I am new to these birds. My bird has come of 7 eggs that she layed and they never hatched after 30 days we got rid of them as she seemed to have given up. Since coming of the eggs around her beak area has looked bare. This seems to be the only place she is missing feathers. Has my male or has she somehow been plucking herself or could it be something else. My male looks healthy he does not have the same problem. duno

Peter · Foundation Member Joined: Oct 15, 2004 Posts: 599

Hi Benny,

Probably the bird is dealing with feather mites. These mites are microscopic and not visible to the eye. This has nothing to do with hygiene. It seems that Kakariki are more prone to this while other birds don't in the same housing.
Below a pic of a bird which is high affected.
I treat my birds 2 to 3 times a year with Ivermectin pour-on. This is choice no 1 to treat mites. If you not sure what to do try a bit salad oil or sunflower oil to treat the affected area. The mites are getting stuck in the oil.
If after a week new pinfeathers appear, then this is the prove the bird has mites. Then a treatement with Ivermectin is highly recommended. If the bird shares his aviary/with other birds then treat these birds as well.

BennyGeorgia · Member Joined: Dec 24, 2006 Posts: 6

Thanks I'll go out today and get some of this Ivermectin and try it on my birds.