Help... my chinese painted's plumage is a mess and don't know why.

[Mary Faerie]

I have 2 males, Bud and Bead , in a good sized run indoors (5' x 3') as house pets. One was supposed to be a female (and genuinely looks like one) but is male. They get on mainly ok (are sitting preening each other just now) but one does bully the other a little and has pecked a bald patch on his head. They mate with each other so I'm guessing this may ruffle their feathers.. but when they came to me they were bullet smooth. Now they seem in disarray and I'm sad about it and wonder what I can do.

I feed them basic canary seed, a few mealworms a day, lettuce, millet and chick crumbs which I think are for chicken chicks.

They run on carpet which is vacuumed out regularly,

They have a clean sand bath always available.

They used to have the run of the house but since I moved recently need to be in the run. Their feathers were not right in the other house either so I don't think it can be the new environment.

They're bright eyed and active and always curious to see what titbits you're bringing them... it's just they look a mess!

I used to painted quail years ago and those birds were sleek... just not Bud and Bead.

Any insights on why this is so would be much appreciated.

Mary x

 

[GrandmaBird]

They need higher protein food. they should not be on chick feed. try to get game bird or meat bird feed. You should be getting 22-28% protein for buttons. and switch them to finch seed not canary seed they like the flax and sunflower seeds. Lettuce is just water so try spinach, broccoli or other leafy greens, kale or such, even hard boiled chicken eggs run through the food processor shell and all. And lastly limit them to less than 5 mealworms per bird per week as they are very fattening. They also should be getting oyster shell and grit.
this should help with the feathers.

 

[Mary Faerie]

Thank you very much! I can get on with this. Not sure where to get a few things but research will surely help

Many thanks again Grandma!

Mary x