Help!! My Green cheek conure is being plucked!

PurpleRose · Nov 26, 2014

Skittles is about 5 years old, we think he is a male. A couple of months ago he started showing signs of aggression and biting behaviors. We decided to get him a companion, a female green cheek conure who is about 18 months.

They bonded really well and were showing signs of breeding, we put a nesting box inside their cage and for a while things were good. A couple of days ago, Skittles looked like he had been evicted and was not being close to Sherbet(female). Then he started losing his feathers, first around his rear and under his wings, today I got up and his chest has been plucked bald. The poor bird looks a mess!! They still mate every day, what do I do?

JamesC · Nov 27, 2014

I don't know anything about breeding behaviors but hopefully someone on the forum who does will chime in. But please remember that in the US it is a holiday so many people who may normally answer may not be around. Hope things get better with Skittles.

weco · Nov 27, 2014

Look in the nestbox, Skittles may have just feathered her nest for her.....you need to tell him he's got to watch out for those females down in the Vieux Carr'e, they're the ruin of many a poor boy.....

If it continues, you might want to separate them, but leave their cages next to each other.....good luck.....

(re: House Of The Rising Sun)

PurpleRose · Nov 29, 2014

Just a quick question! Is it possible for females to lay infertile eggs, or accidentally crush eggs by mistake. I just looked in Skittles and Sherbet's nesting box, I can't see any whole eggs but I can see evidence of eggshells. Is it possible that Sherbet could be a little bit too young?

JerseyWendy · Nov 29, 2014

PurpleRose said:
Just a quick question! Is it possible for females to lay infertile eggs, or accidentally crush eggs by mistake. I just looked in Skittles and Sherbet's nesting box, I can't see any whole eggs but I can see evidence of eggshells. Is it possible that Sherbet could be a little bit too young?

Yes, it is. Too young and too inexperienced.

weco · Nov 29, 2014

Like Wendy mentioned, young, inexperienced hens can trample their eggs.....she may begin replacing the destroyed eggs & if she does, it might be wise if you stayed out of their cage as much as possible...she's got a lot on her plate right now.....probably first clutch, new home & may still be apprehensive of you, so, looking around in their nestbox or trying to handle either of them could upset either or both, especially when they're protecting eggs.....

It's too bad that you did not have an established relationship with the hen before their hormones got the best of them.....

Since you have destroyed eggs, but don't know why, if you find either intentionally destroying the eggs, you probably should separate them because they really didn't choose each other as mates...have a courtship as such and birds that get a taste for their own eggs usually never quit.....

Good luck.....

Help!! My Green cheek conure is being plucked!

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Help with my Green cheek conure, please

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