cere turning in to brown

[ravivadla]

Hi,

One of the young hen in my aviary was having whitish pink cere all the while.... since last week I observed its turning in to brown color.... does this mean that she is just becoming adult or does it mean she is getting ready for breeding ?

[birdguhl]

I believe this is a sign she is in breeding condition - have a look at this:

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/7179/brown-cere-says-1-year and thread calling 'Goldie's changing cere'

for recent chat about this.

[GoldieNYC]

Indeed. This was my issue. Since then, Goldie's cere changed back to light pink for a time. It's now cycling back to a darker color, however slowly. I've read accounts by vets that this darkening is also due to a hormonal imbalance (related to estrogen), but I'd really like more information about that myself.

[ravivadla]

Jan 24, 2014 9:38:29 GMT birdguhl said:

I believe this is a sign she is in breeding condition - have a look at this:

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/7179/brown-cere-says-1-year and thread calling 'Goldie's changing cere'

for recent chat about this.

Thanks for sharing the thread.

Will try to take few snaps of her and share will all

[ravivadla]

Jan 24, 2014 10:12:14 GMT GoldieNYC said:

Indeed. This was my issue. Since then, Goldie's cere changed back to light pink for a time. It's now cycling back to a darker color, however slowly. I've read accounts by vets that this darkening is also due to a hormonal imbalance (related to estrogen), but I'd really like more information about that myself.

this is what makes this interesting... so much of un-certainity trying to understand one of the beautiful species "Budgies" in the world

[Hezz]

Jan 24, 2014 10:12:14 GMT GoldieNYC said:

Indeed. This was my issue. Since then, Goldie's cere changed back to light pink for a time. It's now cycling back to a darker color, however slowly. I've read accounts by vets that this darkening is also due to a hormonal imbalance (related to estrogen), but I'd really like more information about that myself.

This would be an unusual situation; it is much more likely that Goldie is simply going through the normal cycles of a hen. Without others around her, this may not be so marked as it would be in a flock situation, where each gender is looking for a mate.

I had only heard of this happening with cocks, usually to do with testicular malfunction, often tumours causing the imbalance, resulting in a decrease in testosterone, and therefore increase in the concentration of oestrogen, as happened with the bird in my avatar, Bluey.

But, ravivadla, it is much more likely that your hen is a) reaching maturity or b) coming into breeding condition. Some hens don't change much at all, others seem to fluctuate quite a lot. But nothing to be concerned about, generally.

[GoldieNYC]

Nice response, Hezz. It does seem Goldie is healthy, but the coloration change of her cere can be quite dramatic.

[Hezz]

Jan 25, 2014 4:28:04 GMT GoldieNYC said:

Nice response, Hezz. It does seem Goldie is healthy, but the coloration change of her cere can be quite dramatic.

Thanks. It would seem that Goldie is one who goes through the whole 7-week cycle change and makes it known. One of my hens, Smudge, had only once showed a change from her nutty-brown cere since she first matured enough for it to change, and she is 4 years old. I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the way they respond to the hormonal changes may be similar to the different degrees that women experience their monthly cycles.............

I'll stop there!

[GoldieNYC]

Jan 25, 2014 10:17:28 GMT Hezz said:

Jan 25, 2014 4:28:04 GMT GoldieNYC said:

Nice response, Hezz. It does seem Goldie is healthy, but the coloration change of her cere can be quite dramatic.

I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the way they respond to the hormonal changes may be similar to the different degrees that women experience their monthly cycles.............

I'll stop there!

I've already moved her to the living room, away from where I work.  Helps my nerves.  On the other hand, she seems to like the additional light - looks happier.  Makes me happier.  Yes -