Molting...

[Ozii]

What age/how many months do Parrots start to molt at? as I think Peaches, is molting, I am not sure though, we shall be taking her to the vets anyway, cause she is like losing 10/15 feathers a day (small ones).

I've read up a bit about molting, trying to read things bit by bit, so I can take it in much better, as if I read a lot of stuff in one go, then I just lose all of what I was reading (if that makes sense).

 

[roxynoodle]

It's hard for me to remember now when my birds had their first molt. That is probably what your bird is doing, and I'm sure it's fine. Both of mine are molting right now, and it seems like I'm seeing a lot of other member's birds molting right now as well. My Nanday is almost done, but my amazon only seems to be about halfway through it.

Are you seeing any feathers in sheaths? Usually you will see them on the head and neck because that's the hardest place for the birds to preen themselves. They look like the little plastic covered ends on shoelaces, but much smaller. If so, it is definitely molting.

My Nanday likes to groom those herself using a key ring on a chain. It was once a toy, but since destroying the toy she uses it daily for grooming so I leave it there. Some birds will want you to help them get them off. Human fingers aren't that good at it though. In her case, she isn't a touchy, feely bird, and does not want to be petted most of the time.

 

[Ozii]

Yeah, Peaches does have sheaths, she has a few of them, I'd love to help her, but I think she likes to be independent, so I leave her groom herself, I did try and use a toothbrush to try and brush her feathers, but she ran away from it, so I havent used it since, as I dont want to freak her out.

 

[roxynoodle]

I'd say then she is molting and you don't need to be concerned If this is her first molt she may turn out even prettier when she's done. The baby feathers usually aren't as shiny or glimmery as the adult feathers are.

Some birds get a little cranky as well and some don't. If she does, just leave her be during the cranky days.

 

[Ozii]

Thanks, you mightve just gave me the answer to why she is being the way she is, and not what I first thought about the vets.

I have collected her feathers, from her molting, and stuck them in an envelope, for memories (like, when Flossy's [dog] first tooth fell out, I kept it, with a lock of her hair, from her first groom).

 

[roxynoodle]

I like to keep the long wing and tail feathers of my birds. The Nanday's are especially pretty with the green going to vibrant blue to navy blue.

Yes, the birdie is probably fine. If you see other signs of illness though like sleeping too much, overly runny poop, not eating, etc, then you should take her in. As long as she's getting enough nutrition and sleep she should be fine. Young birds tend to molt pretty quickly.

I think my zon is having some trouble because he was on a seed diet and had no avian light when I got him. He is almost converted to pellets now and eating veggies. Having a light should help him, too.

 

[Ozii]

Sorry to sound dumb, whats Avian light?

She is her normal self, just aggressive, but she seems to be getting a little better . She has about 10/12 hours sleep, is that to much, I read that they need at least 10 hours, though. I am learning more about parrots, as a whole everyday, learning new things is great though, and I even tell Peaches the stuff I have learnt, though she looks at me as if I am a little crazy and bobs up and down....

 

[roxynoodle]

I have full spectrum bulbs with UVA and UVB rays for the birds. They really like them because they can see in the UV spectrum, and it helps them process calcium. I get them from a company called Featherbrite. I have them in clip lamps on top of the cages. Our modern windows block most of the UV rays, and the birds need sun. Since I live in a climate that has a winter, it isn't possible for them to get outside a good portion of the year. And now with West Nile virus in my area, I'm afraid to take them out. The vet agrees they should stay indoors but have the lights.

They do seem to become a lot more active when I turn the lights on. And at least one of my birds seemed to become healthier and happier once I got them.

Yes, 10-12 hours is about perfect for sleep.

It's great you talk to her about anything, including what you have learned. I strongly suspect my birds know a lot more than what they can say. I can ask them things and get a response. For example, I can ask if they want the TV on, or want their lights on, or if they want their veggies, and they will chirp back if the answer is yes. And once in awhile my Nanday will say something completely appropriate to the subject that she has never said before, and nearly bowl me over. She is TV addicted and I suspect over the years she has learned all kinds of things I don't know! So yes, keep talking. More might be getting through to her than you realize.