Molting Question

[Mchal]

I have a bit of a question, Bert is going through his first molt and doesn't look too scraggly, but there are feathers everywhere!
Anyway he had a bit of an incident where he tore out one of his big flight/blood feathers because the pet shop didn't clip his wings right (they cut way too far up so he couldn't even glide so he just crashes to the ground) and we took him to the vet and they had to put him under anaesthesia to pluck the remaining bit of that feather (because it was bleeding so bad and cauterizing didn't stop the bleeding) so afterwards we had to give him some medicam to stop the pain/discomfort so he wouldn't get the urge to pluck his new feathers.

SO anyway the point of this is that with the feathers he is losing, some of them have the hollow barb/shaft bit intact but then I am finding some that look like they have been have been torn or shredded before coming out naturally.

So is that normal? Or he is starting to shred some of his feathers?
He isn't stressed and he isn't bored (I can guarantee that ) so if he were doing it, I think it would be due to some discomfort relating to feather he tore out. But I don't really know what shredding and plucking looks like. He doesn't have any bare patches and I haven't noticed over preening or anything like that. So I just want some advice please and thank you!

 

[Mare Miller]

I don't have the answer Mchal, but my Sassy girl has the same thing going on. I'm hoping it's just part of the molting process.

 

[Alisana]

Can he fly right now? Sometimes birds will pull at their feathers in frustration, which can lead to feather destruction.

You mentioned this is his fist molt - use a spray bottle and gently mist him; that should encourage healthy preening. If he like's showers, take him for one.

Ensure his diet is very healthy, particularly at this moment as well and that he is getting all the right vitamins and minerals. Feather reproduction consumes a high amount of these, so he will need a very healthy diet to ensure excellent feather regrowth.

 

[Mchal]

He can't fly at the moment, he's about 10 months old and I got him at 8 weeks and he has never been able to fly/glide due to the way they cut his wings.

I do take him for regular showers and mist him on the days he doesn't shower, because he LOVES it! And he gets his pellets and fresh fruit and vege everyday.
I don't think I am overly concerned about the couple of shredded looking feathers I have found, as the majority of his molted feathers look very normal and healthy. But you know, I just really, really don't want Bert to have any pain or discomfort that will cause him to start plucking, so I thought I would check!

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply

 

[Alisana]

He can't fly at the moment, he's about 10 months old and I got him at 8 weeks and he has never been able to fly/glide due to the way they cut his wings.

I do take him for regular showers and mist him on the days he doesn't shower, because he LOVES it! And he gets his pellets and fresh fruit and vege everyday.
I don't think I am overly concerned about the couple of shredded looking feathers I have found, as the majority of his molted feathers look very normal and healthy. But you know, I just really, really don't want Bert to have any pain or discomfort that will cause him to start plucking, so I thought I would check!

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply

Do you plan to keep him flighted? If you do, it would be a good idea to start harness training him. Free flight training may be something to look at later down the line.

If you plan to clip again though, consider going elsewhere for a wing trim. A good trim should allow him to glide to the floor gently, without any lift. (From memory, the primaries and secondaries have different functions; one provided lift, the other provided thrust, remove lift, but give him control for landings) I would suggest an avian vet, avian club or even some members here can give advice. (If he lets you touch his wings)

Keep an eye on his feathers regardless - the shredded feathers could've been ones he just pulled due to frustration and nothing else.

Glad to hear though that he gets regular showers and good food. I know with females who lay eggs, you add extra calcium for egg/shell development, but can't remember what the vitamin/mineral was for feather growth. If I remember, I'll post back.

Keep us updated anyway.

 

[DebsFlock]

Sometimes they will chew on or play with a feather after it has come out, which could lead to it looking a bit mangled. Also, the smaller feathers don't have shafts that look as substantial. Do you ever see him pulling at feathers?