Molting ?

[suncon97]

Hi everyone my year old CAG is going through a big molt right now losing feathers left and right and there's tons of new ones growing in. She can't reach the pins on her head and everytime I am holding her she sticks her head down to let me scratch it.Everytime I do lots of little pins and even some bigger ones come out.Is this okay?I don't want to introduce pulling feathers to her.

Thanks,
Ty

 

[suncon97]

Any help guys?

 

[greycloud]

Parrots usually need help getting the sheaths off of their feathers located on their head. In the wild another parrot would assist. I help all of my parrots with their pin feathers. Now, when you say the pin feathers come out do you mean actual feathers are coming out? Or is the sheath(keratin) coming off? Many parrots when they molt will loose their feathers symetrically. Example, a large flight from each wing. Greys will also drop a lot of downy white feathers. The important thing is to not see any bald spots or areas of just down on the body. Is this occurring? Can you take a pic?

 

[suncon97]

There aren't any bald spots.Yes the feather just comes out easily.I don't even pull it just pops out when I scratch her head.I can't get a pic until tomorrow.Its just a small feathers.

 

[greycloud]

It is not normal for them to come out so easily. Try and get a pic tomorrow.

 

[suncon97]

Sorry typo if I slightly pull out on areas she's scratching at after about four times it comes out they just don't fall out. I can usually get about 2 out the tiny tiny ones on the tip of her head are the ones that come out just with scratching.

 

[greycloud]

You don't want to pull out actual feathers. You just want to pinch and roll the pin feather so the keratin cover comes off.

 

[suncon97]

Okay can you explain a little bit more?

 

[_Temptations_]

you have to crack the keratin by pinching just enough that it isn't sticking to the feather anymore. then roll the pin feather between your index finger and thumb until you can slide it completely off.

 

[suncon97]

Oh I see thanks much.

 

[Safira]

Be careful that there isn't still blood in the feather. Always start from the tip of the casing. It should be crunchy and flake easily. If not, its not ready to be scratched off.

 

[greycloud]

Exactly! And you will know if it is a blood feather if it appears as a dark bluish purple and is hard. At this point they are very sensitive and may hurt the bird if you try and preen them.