Head feathers, first sign of molt?

[Uglow]

Hi guys,

So, Uglow is now just over six months old. This is his first spring.

Three weeks ago I noticed his first colored feather on my arm. tiny. probably a head or upper neck feather. it wasn't chewed up or anything.

Fast forward to two days ago, I found another one.

Yesterday he lost three.

Considering the size of the feather, it's entirely possible he's lost more and I just haven't seen them.

The heat has always stayed consistently 70 F in the house and humidity has remained relatively consistent around 60. He showers daily. Weighs in consistently at 350g. He's been eating, playing, chatting. Poop looks like it should.

I'm calling my vet on Monday to check with him but I wanted to run it by you guys as well.

Is it possible he's already molting at 6 months? or is this possibly a sign of something more serious.

Uglow thanks you for your input

Thanks you.

Edit:
http://eclectusparrots.net/moults.html
According to this write up they start at about a year. My concern is that he's only a months old and the quantity he's lost in the last couple of days.

Thanks again.

 

[Uglow]

I think I got most of the info I need here:
http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/39423-what-age-electus-start-molting.html

thank you.

 

[RavensGryf]

That's about normal age . I see you found a good informational link on it too.

 

[Anansi]

Yes, that link seemed tailor made for your question. Lol! Been a long time since I read that thread.

 

[Uglow]

Yeah thanks guys. My wife and I were in panic mode.
But, after reading that thread and this.
moults
I looked for pin feathers around his head and low and behold, I found 3.

my boy's growing up.

To the moderators, If you wanted to merge this thread with
http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/39423-what-age-electus-start-molting.html
I would be totally cool with that.

Thanks

 

[Uglow]

Thought I would share Uglow's molting progress.
It seemed to have slowed down for a bit but the last few days he's been dropping feathers all over the place.
I started keeping track of them by taping them in his diary.

They still don't look chewed up but maybe you guys can see something that I don't.

I've upped his protein intake a bit and he does seem to be eating longer lately. This also might have contributed to him eating fresh stuff more consistently. His weight has stayed within 4 grams up and down. He showers daily so that's stayed the same but I've increased his time in the shower. What's a good length of time for him to be in there? I usually keep him in there for about 30 minutes. too long? not enough? He loves it, so he would stay in there longer if I let him.

What's gotten me a little concerned is that he's developing two symmetrical down feather patches on his back. I'm cautiously optimistic that since they tend to molt symmetrically that these patches are in fact molted areas and not plucked. His face is covered with pin feathers but I haven't been able to spot them on his body. I'll keep checking.

 

[wrench13]

Thought I would share Uglow's molting progress.
It seemed to have slowed down for a bit but the last few days he's been dropping feathers all over the place.
I started keeping track of them by taping them in his diary.

They still don't look chewed up but maybe you guys can see something that I don't.

I've upped his protein intake a bit and he does seem to be eating longer lately. This also might have contributed to him eating fresh stuff more consistently. His weight has stayed within 4 grams up and down. He showers daily so that's stayed the same but I've increased his time in the shower. What's a good length of time for him to be in there? I usually keep him in there for about 30 minutes. too long? not enough? He loves it, so he would stay in there longer if I let him.

What's gotten me a little concerned is that he's developing two symmetrical down feather patches on his back. I'm cautiously optimistic that since they tend to molt symmetrically that these patches are in fact molted areas and not plucked. His face is covered with pin feathers but I haven't been able to spot them on his body. I'll keep checking.

LOL, looks like a "Make Your Own Bird" kit! Thats dedication my friend, dedication!

 

[Anansi]

Two symmetrical down feather patches? Could you get a few pics?

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[Uglow]

LOL, looks like a "Make Your Own Bird" kit! Thats dedication my friend, dedication!

Ha! it's neurosis. but dedication sounds better. :54:

Two symmetrical down feather patches? Could you get a few pics?

yup. piggy is eating right now so it'll be an hour or so.

 

[RavensGryf]

To the moderators, If you wanted to merge this thread with
http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/39423-what-age-electus-start-molting.html
I would be totally cool with that.

Thanks

Thanks, but it's okay to leave this one separate. That thread is dated 2013.

 

[Uglow]

Thanks Julie

here's the two symmetrical patches I was referring to Stephen.

p.s. I really should make a signature with my real name in there. until then, it's Ninos.

 

[SailBoat]

And, now its time to settle into a life long hobby of collecting molted feathers from your parrot! Just remember that its O.K. even highly excepted to show them off to fellow parrot owners. But not so wise presenting them to non-parrot owners. They just don't get it!

 

[Anansi]

Thanks Julie

here's the two symmetrical patches I was referring to Stephen.

p.s. I really should make a signature with my real name in there. until then, it's Ninos.

Hey, Ninos!

Bixby's first big molt turned into the dreaded Mojo Molt (basically just a really heavy molt that goes on and on and on....) and when it started it looked very much like that. Same spot and everything. Not saying this is definitely a Mojo Molt, mind you. Just that it could be the beginning of one. Or it could just be a heavy molt.

 

[Uglow]

Hey, Ninos!

Bixby's first big molt turned into the dreaded Mojo Molt (basically just a really heavy molt that goes on and on and on....) and when it started it looked very much like that. Same spot and everything. Not saying this is definitely a Mojo Molt, mind you. Just that it could be the beginning of one. Or it could just be a heavy molt.

Thanks for the heads up. He's dropping them pretty regularly it seems but I have nothing to compare it to. Since this morning it's three little ones in the shower and 4 medium ones under his tree. Calling the vet tomorrow. Might set up an appointment just to make sure everything else is ok.

 

[Uglow]

So quick update.

Took my little homie to the vet. Everything checked out OK. Doc said he's just going through a heavy molt and it's probably not a mojo molt. He thinks that their first molt shedding their baby feathers tends to be bit heavy. He showed me uglows neck and it's covered with tons of new pin feathers. And on his chest and back. Told me to increase his protein if I haven't already and to continue to shower him daily. Checked out the feathers I saved and said none of them look plucked or chewed up.
My wife and I were so relieved. Uglow came home and slept under the shower.
I though I would share what his new back feathers look like since I had no idea what I was looking for before.
hope these help out the next person who goes through it.

 

[Anansi]

I'm glad everything checked out okay. I'm not surprised, though, and it's great that it's most likely not Mojo Molt. Talk about a molt that lasts FOREVER! Lol!

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[Brittany741]

He looks great! Glad he is healthy and happy

 

[greytness]

Actually Ekkis shouldn't receive a lot of protein in their diets, as it can contribute to toe tapping and feathering issues.

 

[Anansi]

Actually Ekkis shouldn't receive a lot of protein in their diets, as it can contribute to toe tapping and feathering issues.

It's all relative. Yes, you're right in that an excess of proteins can indeed contribute to toe-tapping. (Not sure about the feathering issues part, but I surely wouldn't discount it.) But there is an appropriate amount of proteins that ekkies do require... and moderate increases in their accustomed amounts during heavy molts is usually a good idea given the extra energy expenditures that occur with feather production.

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[drlisaort]

It's been a while since I've read that link...thank you for sharing!!