Molting or illness

[Kirstyr]

Hi my macaw is 8 months old. Last couple of days she is scratching alot. Feathers at bottom of cage. Is she molting or is something wrong. Even during the night when I check the camera she is scratching. Looks annoying for her.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Hi my macaw is 8 months old. Last couple of days she is scratching alot. Feathers at bottom of cage. Is she molting or is something wrong. Even during the night when I check the camera she is scratching. Looks annoying for her.

Look closely at the shed feathers. Are the pointed ends of the quills intact or are they br

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Look closely at the shed feathers. Are the pointed ends of the quills intact or are they br

Broken off? Is there any blood on them? Does she have any bald patches? How old was she when you got her? Has she molted since you got her? Has she been bathing regularly?

 

[Kirstyr]

No bald patches and no blood. She showers twice a week. I'll send post a pic

 

[Kirstyr]

Broken off? Is there any blood on them? Does she have any bald patches? How old was she when you got her? Has she molted since you got her? Has she been bathing regularly?

 

[Kirstyr]

Broken off? Is there any blood on them? Does she have any bald patches? How old was she when you got her? Has she molted since you got her? Has she been bathing regularly?

She was 14 weeks when we got her. She has lost feathers before but not this bad.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

She was 14 weeks when we got her. She has lost feathers before but not this bad.

It sounds like her first molt of her baby feàthers.

 

[Kirstyr]

Do they become agitated? Or restless

 

[Cottonoid]

I haven't had a macaw, but my African ringneck had a very heavy molt last year and was miserable. We actually put him on pain medication for a little bit because he was so obviously uncomfortable and grumpy.

 

[Kirstyr]

Just put her in a long shower and she was so relaxed. It's a shame. Everytime I looked at camera during the night she was scratching/preening.

 

[Cindylynn]

When the bigger ones start coming out, you should notice that they will kinda come in pairs, if it's a molt. They molt symmetrically. Do you see lots of pin feathers yet? Pancho started his first big molt about this time last year. It started on his head, it seemed like. Are there pin feathers on her head?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Do they become agitated? Or restless

Often, yes. It's itchy and uncomfortable.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

So what does everyone think? They look molted to me rather than plucked or broken off but I'm no expert on feathers.

 

[Cindylynn]

So what does everyone think? They look molted to me rather than plucked or broken off but I'm no expert on feathers.

I've only had my macaw for a little over a year, and he's not a plucker. So I don't really know the difference by looking at the feathers.

 

[Kirstyr]

Yes pin feathers on her head but not ready to be scratched. She has lost at least 6 feathers today. Different sized ones

 

[Cindylynn]

Yes pin feathers on her head but not ready to be scratched. She has lost at least 6 feathers today. Different sized ones

Sounds like a molt When wing feathers start coming, you'll notice when one side loses one, the other side loses the same one within a couple days. It's most noticeable on clipped feathers. Tail feathers too

 

[Kirstyr]

Billie had a good sleep last night. Lost couple more small feathers but seems more happier this morning . This must be her 1st proper molt.