Showing off feathers!

[Laurasea]

Neptune Blue just finished his molt. I fed extra protein this year, since last year he looked ragged during molt. Read an article about how much protein parrots eat ( showed Quakers on a deer carcass!!!!!) they lizards, other baby birds, tons of insects ECT... Article emphasized that you can't feed that or your birds will have tapeworms and other nasties.. Also he had been eating his veggies like a champ!! His feathers are like silk!!! Also he sunbathing outside when it's not to hot, and mosquito aren't terrible.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Wow! Lookin' good

 

[Inger]

Oh my gosh he’s so smooth! Just beautiful.


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[wrench13]

Glorious color !!!!

 

[Laurasea]

Thank you thank you! It's not photo shop, his feathers are so smooth you can't even see individual feathers.
Remember he ate filet mignon,! He seemed to really crave the protein. So I started giving him eggs and boiled chicken and walnuts. I will definitely repeat that next molt!!

 

[LaManuka]

Neptune’s feathered suit is immaculate, well done!

 

[Laurasea]

Glorious color !!!!

Thank you Wrench! I wish the camera could capture the shimmer, glimmer, radiance. It's like hummingbird feathers in the sun.

 

[Tami2]

Neptune Blue just finished his molt. I fed extra protein this year, since last year he looked ragged during molt. Read an article about how much protein parrots eat ( showed Quakers on a deer carcass!!!!!) they lizards, other baby birds, tons of insects ECT... Article emphasized that you can't feed that or your birds will have tapeworms and other nasties.. Also he had been eating his veggies like a champ!! His feathers are like silk!!! Also he sunbathing outside when it's not to hot, and mosquito aren't terrible.

He is beautiful Laura, well done! :heart:

 

[clark_conure]

dayum! that's like my favorite color. the teal cyan engineering autocad color. Wow thank you for sharing!

 

[Laurasea]

Learned a new word for color!!! Thank you Clarkconure ! Cyan, A greenish blue, one of the subtractive primary colors.
https://images.app.goo.gl/rpgbqkhLy18Zej91A

 

[Laurasea]

In showing off feathers, I was so happy with this year's result during and post molt. I've noted in nature the birds I observe out my window ( non parrots) never look ratty during molt.
But with my parrots and with discussions I've seen here, we accept and expect our parrots to look moth eaten and patching during molt. Even during my avian vet visit last year I brought up and talked about the less than perfect feather condition during molt. I was there during their molting time. The vet assured me that was normal. But is it?????
This year I increased seeds and protein during molt. The results were fantastic! Despite feathers flying, and new pins coming in every day, no one looked ratty or patchy. They looked wonderful and at the end if molt looked better than ever before.... So is this a one off?? I don't think so..
What are your thoughts and experience during molt? Do you do anything different diet wise during this time?
I've posted two diet studies in my new thread ornithology, as I search for the parrot a d protein article I read before, but find.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

That's very interesting Laura...I never really paid much attention to either Amy or Beebs molts. I can say I recall with Amy at times there would be a "fluffy" or two sticking up or out of place. BB however looks like...BB! Maybe if he looses a rudder or sleeve he'll have a hole somewhere but doesn't look scraggily


Jim

 

[Laurasea]

Maybe you were already doing better than I was diet wise
We'll see what others say. Maybe you all already do different feeding during molt, or feed higher protein food already ??

 

[SailBoat]

Protein is always a difficult discussion when speaking about Amazons. Protein is an important part of an overall healthy diet. BUT, its a fine line as to how much! Cross that fine line with an Amazon and Fatty Liver and like problems appear.

So, at least with Amazons; 'the more the better' is a dangerous statement.

 

[Laurasea]

Great point! I need to read my pellet packages for protein info. Did you read the Amazon specific diet study link on my ornithology thread?

 

[SailBoat]

Great point! I need to read my pellet packages for protein info. Did you read the Amazon specific diet study link on my ornithology thread?

I'm going to say that I do not recall as my visits here have been 'when time is available' over the last five months. If you would be so kind as to link it, I promise you I will.