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[Curious Diode]

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[Pajarita]

When and how they molt depends entirely on the conditions the bird has been kept. If a bird had been fed right and kept at a strict solar schedule so its endocrine system is in tune with the seasons and it doesn't have an excess of protein, the molt will always happen at the end of that particular species breeding season, it will happen only once a year and it will last from 6 to 8 weeks. BUT from this 'normal' molt, you can go to the other extreme and have a bird that is practically molting all the time (it's called soft molt), a bird that molts several times a year or a bird that, although it molts once a year, it takes 3 months for it to get done with it (this is called a 'hard' molt).

[Saerphe]

I'm surprised you didn't know that molt is always symmetrical. Most bird-keeping resources make a note of that at some point. Molt has to be symmetrical so that a bird in the middle of molt can still fly. Flight is a delicate process, and if a bird's wings aren't perfectly symmetrical, they won't be able to control their direction or speed. It's why a bird who has suffered a severe wing injury is often never able to fly again - if they don't have full range of motion and symmetrical feathers, they can't get off (and stay off) the ground.

I would suggest to avoid Zupreem diets, actually. Their pellets typically contain soy, which parrots are often allergic to or intolerant of. Also, too much protein. I feed my GCC a mix of cooked whole grains, cooked and fresh veggies, and fresh or frozen fruit. I got a good recipe for 'gloop' here in the forum, in the Health section, or Pajarita and Wolf can advise you further on that. It's really easy to make and freeze, and it only takes a minute in the morning to heat up. Akimi took to it immediately when I started her on it and loves it, but most birds need a little more time to get their heads around a change in diet.

Also, the behaviour you've been describing has less to do with flight, and more to do with your GCC wanting your attention. Akimi does it all the time when she thinks she's not the center of my universe anymore.

[seagoatdeb]

if your bird is a two year old GCC that behavior sounds like a courting, breeding behavior. Others I have had and my daughters now, have done that often. With the wing clip, I agree, that is a terrible and dangerous clip and it does need to be the same on both wings for proper balance. GCC are a light body bird and all the primary feathers gone on one wing is going to give him no balance while flying. You should never cut all the primarys on a light body bird like that at all, but the best you can do now is even them up. They will grow in symetrically after his moult. GCC have a really varied diet in the wild and it is usually easy to get them to eat a varied diet with lots of fruit and veggies. They have always been the least picky eaters I have had.

[Curious Diode]

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[Pajarita]

The solution doesn't have to be 1 to 10, it can be as low as 1 to 100 and still be effective as a disinfectant (this is as per the disinfecting protocols given by the USDA epizootiologist for avian epidemics, mind you). As to what fruits, all of them! GCCs are mainly fruit eaters in the wild so they LOVE fruits and would eat large portions of them - the problem is that parrots learn what to eat when they are babies from their parents and, because most breeders don't really care that much about the adult parrot the baby will become, they don't wean them to a good diet, just the fastest thing which is usually seeds. But they all learn, it just takes time and patience. Feed the fruit first thing in the morning, when the sun first comes out and eat the same thing you are giving the bird yourself in front of it (but take into consideration that, for this to work, the bird cannot be free-fed high protein food). Now, the other consideration is to buy organic when it's needed. There is a list put out every year by an independent organization that tells us which fruits and veggies are the dirtiest in terms of insecticides, fungicides, antibiotics and chemical fertilizers and it pays to buy those always organic (apples and strawberries are on that list). This is the site where you will find the list: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty_dozen_list.php

[seagoatdeb]

What kinds of fruits and veggies would you guys recommend I feed him? I went to the fruit market the other day and got a variety of stuff, strawberries, bananas, apples, and some grapes. When I went to give him some he seemed terrified of the grapes, he was no longer scared of them after a while and after I started to eat some, but he still wont eat them. same with the strawberries and bananas. He ate some of the apples but only a few bites. And how should I get him to start eating them? And what would be the best way to make and store a food mix? Another random question is: What should I use to clean his cage every week? I've read to use a 1/10 bleach solution but bleach fumes are super deadly for birds so I'm not sure what to use.

They dont always eat what you offer them the first time,just keep offering and eventually they will try it. Bleach is very harsh to use every week. A good enzyme cleaner made for avian use is non toxic and you can save the bleach for monthly or bi monthly disinfecting and make sure they birds are not near for the fumes. I dont even use bleach, I use hydrogen peroxide, but you have to let it sit on or soak for longer, but its easy for me to use with two birds.

[Curious Diode]

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