Chewing pin feathers?

[LaurenB]

Hey guys...

This is my first time experiencing Tiki (Conure) molting.

She currently has two tail feathers coming in, and I've noticed she tends to "chew" at the end of the pin feather casing (for lack of a better word). She chews off bits of it near where the feather is poking out, and little flakes go flying. The feathers are only about 1/3 of the way grown. Is this normal? Or is the pin feather "shell" supposed to stay on completely until the feather has fully grown? There is still quite a bit left where the feather is attached to her body.

Thanks for everyone's fabulous advice and patience with me! (You'd never know I've had birds for over 10 years... Conures are just so new to me still!)

 

[gracebowen]

I can only tell you Jet (tiel) did/does the same thing.

 

[Allee]

No worries, it's perfectly normal for birds to chew at their pin feathers, at least those they can reach. The pin feathers must be irritating and their skin can get itchy while they are growing new feathers. Lots of baths help to soften up the feather casings.

 

[LaurenB]

Thanks!

So it's normal to actually chew bits of the end off, where the feather is poking out? Little flakes of the pin feather go flying everywhere.

 

[Anansi]

Very much normal, as Allee said. That's how they get the casing off. Those little "dandruff" flakes will appear consistently throughout the molt.