More Chatboards | Print | Share | Report Post

Re: Plucking ???
Posted by Dave on 3/07/11

On 3/07/11, Pete wrote:
> On 3/07/11, Dave wrote:
>> On 3/04/11, Pete wrote:
>>> I have a 4 1/2 year old Female CAG who is bonded to an
>>> older male CAG. I am not a breeder, but realize that both
>>> Birds are mature. The female is fully feathered, but she
>>> no longer has nice scalloped feathers from the neck down.
>>> She seems to have stopped preening her breast and just
>>> lets it look raggety. Is this the sign of a newly mature
>>> Female who is mating or is it a problem that I should see
>>> a Vet about? THANKS
>>
>> She may have gone through an acute plucking stage. ACUTE
>> means that she'll eventually stop doing that. CHRONIC means
>> that a bird is a plucker and won't ever stop. Concerning her
>> messed up feathers, they'll remain looking like that until
>> she molts them out and new ones come in. It may take a
>> while. You'll have to wait and see.
>> As far as mating, she may be showing signs of sexual
>> behavior but she's too young to breed. They need to be kept
>> separately because after any mating goes on, either one may
>> turn on you and disown you as being a pet. Many males and
>> females do that even if they're immasture. Successful
>> breedings starts between 5 and 6 yrs old. You can see a vet
>> and get his opinion as far as health but when hens pull
>> their feathers, they do that to put into nestboxes and the
>> feathers they pull are usually located at the base of the
>> tail some some lower abdominal areas.
>
>
> THANKS Dave. They do not have a nest box and I do not
> want to lose the affection on either, so I will take your
> advice and hope for the best. THANKS again Pete

Good idea--I'm glad you decided against the nestbox.there'sso
much involved with breeding them including money and equipment.
having them stay as pets would be lots more satisfying to you as
they get older. As I said, I'm pretty sure about that plucking
ans after it happens, they do look shi**ty for some time. One
other thing about that nestbox--not change your mind.

Posts on this thread, including this one

• Plucking ???, 3/04/11, by Pete.
• Re: Plucking ???, 3/07/11, by Dave.
• Re: Plucking ???, 3/07/11, by Pete.
• Re: Plucking ???, 3/07/11, by Dave.