molt

[roy]

How would I know that Biggles is going threw a molt never seen him molt before

[marie83]

Obviously there will be feather loss but there will also be pin feathers coming through (feathers still enclosed in a protective sheath). This Pin feathers can be quite tender for most birds to begin with so be gentle when you handle him. Lots of baths will help soften the sheaths and once they become less tender you can help break the sheaths off by squeezing them with your fingers.

[Eric&Rebecca]

I noticed Edmund slept a little more too just before he started moulting and ate a lot more but I think it varies in different birds. If you can see pin feathers that's a sign that moulting will start at some point soon. I saw pin feathers on Edmund 2-3 months before he really started moulting. Edmund's been moulting for about 3 months now, which I have checked with the vet. He says a male cockatiel's first moult can be very long because they have to change their entire colouring. If Biggle's hasn't had his first moult it could just be taking a while (sorry I can't remember how old biggles is!)

As he's been unwell perhaps his moult is delayed or less vigourous, it takes a lot of energy to moult.

[roy]

Biggles is 7 years old he was poorly to I noticed pin feathers about 8weeks ago and he still got new pin feathers coming on his face too my partner Jackie is at home with him today and she said he shuck himself and a blue feather dropped out. Which makes me think it's a molt as she would of seen him with it in his beak. As Biggles is 7 how long would he molt for I know it changes from bird to bird?????

[Eric&Rebecca]

He's deifnitely molting then!

Erm probably 2-3 months maybe longer, depends on how agressive the molt is. Edmund has been molting for three months and our avian vet says thats perfectly normal. It really does depend and not every molt on the same bird is the same either.

[roy]

Thanks for the info

[marie83]

Definitely depends on the bird and year, some moults will last longer than others. Ollie had one big long one last year that got me quite concerned as I had never had a bird moult for so long but apparently its ok. The year before he shed feathers in 2-3 little moults. Basicly every moults different, even for the same bird.