Baby conure issues with feather growth

[Autumnconure]

We have a four year old gcc and a 6 month old gcc. Loki, the younger, seems to be having more trouble growing in her " big bird" feathers. She still has a good bit of down showing on her belly, and her back feathers don't seem to be growing in like jeckyl's did. Only one side of her flight feathers are coming in. There is a stubborn patch on the top of her wing that is very downy. I don't see evidence of plucking, but I'm worried about her. She refuses fresh food and seeds and will only eat the smallest size zupreem pellets even with both me and jeckyl demonstrating yummy foods. I've put vitamin drops in her food, tried misting with warm water, gently rub the stubborn areas to remove anything loose, and give the birds supervised time for mutual grooming. I realize she is still very young and each conure is different, but I don't recall jeckyl having this much trouble with mature feathers growing in.

Loki is otherwise very active, very responsive, gives clicks, chirps and whistles, her eyes are clear and. Can see similar size iris to Loki, so no pupil dilation or constriction, no signs I can see of an illness. Her feet have not changed temp or color. Her....leavings....have not changed color or consistency. Her personality has not shifted. Do watch and wait or should I find an avian vet?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Poor thing, at least she is still active and happy. If she only wants to eat the smallest pellets, go ahead and buy them for her You may want to get her on High potency Harrison's pellets(fine sized if she likes small). It has a lot of nutrients and well help to get her back on track if she's developing slowly, and like you said having trouble with feather development.

Has she been to a vet? if not definitely take her to make sure everything is fine health wise. Birds are wild animals, and do everything in their power to hide any ailments.

 

[MikeyTN]

You should have the baby tested for PBFD!

 

[Autumnconure]

So I am looking for an avian vet, but in the mean time I'm trying to make any changes I can think of that might eliminate issues. Loki had a bath, and I got her to eat part of a grape! Thank heaven. She seems unsure of using her beak to bite food. I got a pic of her wing. Any thoughts?

 

[thekarens]

Abnormal feather growth is a major red flag. Definitely get him/her in ASAP.

 

[crimson]

here is some info:

All About Your Parrot's Feathers - The Causes Of Molt, Feather Problems And What You Can Do About Them

 

[lquan]

At 6 months old, GCC's feathers should be fully grown; with the exception of a few molting pins sticking out around the neck/face. The top tail feathers should be twice the length (unless you took the picture at an angle). Please take him to the vet. I hope it is nothing serious.

 

[Autumnconure]

Just got back from the vet. He says it looks like a molt, doesn't see anything serious. Gave me missing link to add to her food. If it gets worse, they will send feather samples for analysis. Otherwise, she is a bit over weight but good. Thanks everyone!