Molting season

[Pajarita]

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the molting season has officially started. This marks the end of the breeding season but, because the days are still long and their endocrine system doesn't work like a light switch and works on gradual increases as well as decreases, they would still show some (milder) sexual behaviors which, slowly and surely, will disappear as the days get shorter.

Molt is an entirely natural thing for them but still a bit of an uncomfortable time so keep this in mind if they appear a bit grouchy sometimes and be very careful when you scritch them because pinnies can be real painful for them when touched hard or in the wrong direction. Also, NEVER preen a pinnie until it's all done with the growing!

Now, there are hard molts and there are normal molts. When a bird has been kept to a good light schedule and diet, the molt is not bad at all and it only lasts from 6 to 8 weeks so this is a good time to pay attention and observe how long and how uncomfortable it is for the bird because that will give you a good clue as to whether its diet is as it should be (if you see a hard molt, you are feeding too much protein) and make adjustments to it.

Also remember that they need a better quality protein but not a higher amount. I supplement/switch some of their seeds/nuts with quinoa, hemp seed and a bit of insect protein to help them along BUT I stop the 'extras' on the 4th week so as to allow their bodies to use up all the extra protein they have been eating during breeding season and the beginning of the molt and 'clean' themselves out for the resting season (winter).

[Wolf]

Good advice, thank you for your help.

[Pajarita]

I forgot to add sesame seeds to the list of foods good for molting. They are high in methionine which is not only necessary for feather production but also good for the liver where protein (feathers are made of protein) is metabolized.

[Navre]

I forgot to add sesame seeds to the list of foods good for molting. They are high in methionine which is not only necessary for feather production but also good for the liver where protein (feathers are made of protein) is metabolized.

That's good to know. Both my birds are molting now.

[Pajarita]

And they are right on schedule, John, which means their endocrine system is perfectly attuned to the seasons as it should be. Good working endocrine system = good immune response!

[Navre]

Ocean is molting harder than Nicholas, but softer than last year. I think that Ocean's pellets (Harrison's) probably have more Protien than Nicholas' Hagen Tropi-Mix. I like the Tropi-Mix because it has a variety of things and it's probably less boring for the bird, but I dislike it because it has a variety of things and the bird just picks out what it likes.

[Pajarita]

Well, all pellets might be too high in protein for a GCC's needs, I would think. I don't like Tropimix. The first two ingredients are dry corn (and then they also have corn gluten down the list), the third is raisins and the fourth is soy. Nothing is organic, nothing is human grade and the fruits are not unsulfured...

[GreenWing]

Chance already experienced her molt, and she was quite cranky during it.

Great dietary foods and solar schedule helps big time and also baths especially, but no matter what it's just one of those things that a parront has to ride out

[galeriagila]

Indeed, the Rickeybird has started his second moult of the year... this is the big one... complete tail and flights, body/head... the works. I collect them and give them to crafters for projects or kids for Indian head-dresses.
He has his own room, so I can let the natural light schedule determine his bed-time. He's up with dawn and getting his bed-feathers on at dusk. 32 years and never a change.
I love those bed-feathers... he roosts on the highest perch and fluffs up. So sweet and cute. My boy.

[shiraartain]

Ah, yes. Fajr and Clover are doing alright (itchy but slowly losing feathers) but poor Lemon looks so uncomfortable! He has pin feather patches all over his head. Won't let us anywhere near his head and is even snappish towards Clover at times. Trying to give him baths to make it more comfortable, but it's gonna take time. His neck ring is coming in with full force now too.