Molting!!!!!!

[Sherry]

Poor Nema is molting like crazy! Honestly she looks horrible!!! She has fluffy white feathers sticking out everywhere, and she feels like a pin cushion. I can hardly give her scriches on her head and neck because of all the pin feathers. So how long does it take for the process to run its course? I've been misting her every other day to help her (she freaks in the shower). I tried to pick the coating off of some of them but she just yells at me (I think it hurts her :-(). Any advise? Oh and yep, I'm still hand feeding.

 

[JerseyWendy]

It can take a few weeks, Sherry. IF you have a humidifier, turn it on full blast, it should ease the molting itchies a bit for her, if not keep misting her every few days, it will soften up those shafts.

I hear you about helping her undo some of those prickly ones. I have to be SO careful when I help Niko. If I do it wrong, or pick the wrong feather, he yelps and then lunges as if I meant him harm.

How is she liking her new room? I bet they ALL love it. If you find the time, I'd love to see some pics...pretty please?

Just keep feeding her. She will get there sooner or later.

 

[Sherry]

Do you think that the heavy molt was brought on by her getting much more sun light? She looks like she got into a pillow fight and lost.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Do you think that the heavy molt was brought on by her getting much more sun light? She looks like she got into a pillow fight and lost.

It's possible, I guess. When she's done she will look SO smooth and shiny.

 

[henpecked]

I think it's just a major molt, her first.LOl. My advice about preening pin feathers,,, Do it every day, pick a time and let that be your time to do it. Mornings seem to be best with my older fids. The pins are very tender until they "mature" . Shaft is dark with blood ,which feeds the growing feather. The keratin sheath starts to crack and the end of the feather is emerging, like a flower blooming. You can usually start "pinching" that sheath between your nails. Start out near the end, away from the shaft. Slowly work your way down to base of the feather, the sheath should break apart and fall away in flakes. ( on a mature/ripe feather) . If she jerks away, squawks,bites,etc,,, that feather is not ready and you should check back on it tomorrow. My hen will show me where to preen and allows me to check to see if they're "ripe"yet. It's a very "Zen like " thing. I systematically cover my whole bird and we discuss if the feathers is ready. It's a ritual that will almost guarantee the bird bonding to you. I would get others in your family to learn how and join in. Once you learn how you can teach the others. Your macaw will be a well socialized companion.

 

[JerseyWendy]

THAT is THE sweetest thing I've read in a LONG long time, Richard! "It's a 'zen-like' thing." AAAAWWWW!!!!

Does Jake preen you back? Hunter, Sam & Niko do it to me....Ripley not yet, he prefers yanking my hair out instead. :52:

 

[Sherry]

I have been trying, I just don't want to hurt her. I wish my Africans would help out!

 

[henpecked]

Oh yes, Msjakiepoo , preens me back. In fact she'll start on me if she's wanting it done.Sort of setting an example.LOL

 

[SandyBee]

You can also take her in the bathroom and the steam of the shower will help soften the casings, also a very bonding time. Bosley isn't ready to come in the shower with me but likes sitting outside singing away to the water running while I shower.
And yes helping her when she will let you with preening is very Zen like just like henpecked said!!

 

[Sherry]

So I went and sat down with Nema and it seems as though many of the pin feathers coating is coming off much easier. 10 down 200 to go! Poor girl feels like a pin cushion.

 

[goalerjones]

Hahnzel is beginning his molt now. Slow and easy wins the preening race.

 

[plax]

So I went and sat down with Nema and it seems as though many of the pin feathers coating is coming off much easier. 10 down 200 to go! Poor girl feels like a pin cushion.

Exactly what henpecked said! You'll find that the pin sheaths become increasingly brittle as days progress. As they become more brittle, obviously they also become easier to crack away. And of utmost concern to your bird, the pins become progressively less painful to 'de-sheath' as they develop.

I too hold daily sheath cracking sessions for my birds. Salsa and Zaf just adore these sessions and Zaf loves preening my skin and my clothes as I'm working on his feathers. It's definitely a bonding ritual.

 

[Customcasket]

Kayak and Carlisle love to have their pins busted. Carlisle will try to preen me back once I start on his pin feathers. It's a very good bonding experience. I love seeing that content look on their faces and hearing the happy little noises. I've come to enjoy breaking them... it's kind of relaxing and makes me feel good that I'm helping them out.

 

[Sherry]

Nema is so sweet, she loved me cracking them apart for a while. Then she looks at me like, ok, I'm done.