How long does it take for a full moult?

[babyface]

How long before tail feathers grow back?

My 7 1/2 month old Crimson Bellied Conure, Darby, has begun getting his second set of feathers (first moult) and his bellie is really getting red. His baby feathers have really taken a beating, losing their luster and they break easily. The new feathers are coming in really nice. His head, throat and about 1/2 way down his back are all newly feathered.

My concern is his tail...he has broken off almost all of his tail feathers and now just has a few scraggly-looking, broken feathers for a tail. (Think worn out feather duster!) He climbs all over his cage and his tree, and I'm pretty sure this is why the feathers are so beaten up...both have toys hanging, and he climbs all over them. He also has a cozy hut tent that he loves. My husband thinks the tent is the biggest reason his feathers are broken, and wants me to take it out. Darby loves it so much, though, that I'd hate to do that.

So, two questions: Does anyone have any thoughts on the tent? Is that more likely to be the thing that's breaking his tail, or is it because he's such a daredevil, climbing all the time? Anyone have a bird whose feathers broke less after taking a tent out?

And, how long will it take for new feathers to grow in? I'm hoping that when his "big boy" feathers come in, they'll be stronger than his baby feathers seem to be.

 

[Mattroma]

My macaw is a little older Han your conure. Last fall he went through a pretty heavy molt that lasted slightly more than a month. The he lost most of his chest feathers and a few tail and wing feathers. Everything settled down for a bit and he then went through another heavy molt. this time it was his head and back that molted he also lost remaining wing and tail feathers.
I'm still relatively new to the world of birds, but I would suspect most heavy molts do go in phases. That way the bird doesn't lose it's flying ability.

As for the tents, I would search the forum. I recall a few members having safety issues with their fids. I think their birds were shredding and ingesting the tents fabric.

 

[babyface]

Thanks for the reply. Darby doesn't chew at the tent, so that's not a problem...hubby thinks that when Darby turns around in it, it breaks his tail. Maybe, but I know he smashes it up when he climbs around on the bars of his cage.

Did you notice your macaw's new feathers seemed to be stronger than his first set?

 

[Birdman666]

Well the deal with young active birds is they don't always pay attention to their tail feathers.

The new feathers will look good for about a week, then he'll beat them up and break them again.

Somewhere along the line he'll learn to preen them and take care of them, and then they won't look quite so ratty...

It's less a feather strength issue than a young bird issue.

 

[babyface]

Thanks, Birdman! I had a Maroon Bellied Conure for 17 years, but I don't remember that baby stage (it WAS 17 years ago!!) Darby is in great condition and eats a well-balanced diet (Harrison's with fresh fruits/vegs and a few seeds as treats) and is really playful, cuddly and learning to talk. So, I wasn't really worried about his health, but that tail!

I'm glad to hear it's more about him being a bit of a nut-job than anything I'm doing! LOL!