First Molt

[Spiritbird]

I have been reading up on molting of the greys because Rosie is dropping many small fluffy feathers and some larger one coming out too. Is it plucking? No bare spots but I have seen feathers in her beak. From what I have read from the quite well know breeder of Rosie she is most likely in what Jean Patterson calls a baby molt.
So for all you grey people out there did you go through this too? Rosie will be 1 year old April 20th.

The Molt in African Parrots

 

[wuvzbirdies]

Hey SB,

Yes Russell went through this also, I was worried it was plucking too. One day I would see some big grey feathers in his beak then the next it would be a red one. The vet said not to worry that they were just his baby feathers falling out. He was around the same age as Rosie is now so I'd say don't worry. He no longer does it and has a beautiful tail of big boy feathers.

Take care... April

 

[antoinette]

Definitely molting, you are both quite correct. In a previous post, I asked, other AG guardians, the same question. Those little fluffy white ones, gosh.... they go everywhere, dusting and cleaning a few times a day. I have found quite a few Grey ones at the bottom of her cage. No bald spots thank goodness. Last week we noticed that her red feathers have began new growth. When Mishka looses a little red feather, she loves playing with it, I think she wants to start writing LOL.

 

[HRH Di]

Molting is a bit unnerving at first when one hasn't been through it before. I think both of our birds are starting. Max is having a much harder time than Jade...poor little guy! And Jade's starting to look a little ragged on the top of her head.

My husband is a fly fisherman and ties his own flies. He's toyed with the idea of making some flies from the various feathers "donated" by our birds.

 

[Spiritbird]

Thanks so much everyone for easing my anxiety. I gave Rosie a head scratch this am while we were eating breakfast and then we both had small head feathers dusted on top of our fruit. Lol feathered fruit!! I wonder if putting the feathers in their beak to play with will stimulate them to pick? I hope not.

 

[parrotqueen]

I wonder if putting the feathers in their beak to play with will stimulate them to pick? I hope not.

Don't worry about it, my boys love to play with their feathers. They will get their feet involved and everything. But yet, I have not seen any plucking. I don't think it's any different for greys.

 

[antoinette]

I wonder if putting the feathers in their beak to play with will stimulate them to pick? I hope not.

Don't worry about it, my boys love to play with their feathers. They will get their feet involved and everything. But yet, I have not seen any plucking. I don't think it's any different for greys.

Mishka has become quite possessive about her fallen feathers....
She now collect them, (about 3 at the most) places them in a corner, where she knows I can't reach them, until I clean the cage at night.

I guess she reckons what's mine in mine.....

 

[Spiritbird]

Now you can teach her to say "I'm going in the corner to play feather so leave me alone". That is too long of a sentence. Very cute for her to do that.

 

[antoinette]

Now you can teach her to say "I'm going in the corner to play feather so leave me alone". That is too long of a sentence. Very cute for her to do that.

Very cute yes I admit.......
BUT earlier when I wanted to take her out the cage, to clean it, she sat near the corner, where there was only one little feather, and refused to come out.

Only after 5 minutes did she come out, with the little feather in her mouth.

I guess we have a new game now, Mishka tosses it on the floor, I have to pick it up, give it back to her, only to have her tossing it again.

Such a simple object, makes a great game play

Instead of her saying throw the ball, she must now learn to say throw the feather

 

[Spiritbird]

Rosie loves the cat feather toys I get her and gets very agressive with them. She throws them as far away from her as she can manage. What games they make up and they have so much fun in doing so. I think parrots can have more fun that people do sometimes.

 

[antoinette]

Rosie loves the cat feather toys I get her and gets very agressive with them. She throws them as far away from her as she can manage. What games they make up and they have so much fun in doing so. I think parrots can have more fun that people do sometimes.

I totally agree with you :63: