take two

[Owlet]

So I believe Lincoln is molting again. He's been very upset lately, but not his hormonal "gonna watch the world burn" upset, more of like he's agitated. He has a few new feathers growing in on his neck that i can clearly see but I cannot really see pin feathers anywhere else. doesn't help that everytime i try to blow on him a little to part the fluff he gives me a kiss. I appreciate it Lincoln but I'm trying to see here. I dont really know how to help him. A short spritz seems to help a bit but i cant reasonably give him a shower daily, it would just dry him out and probably make it worse in the long run. Last heavy molt he was prescribed an anti-inflammatory by his vet which seemed to help a lot. I don't know if I should go down that road again or try something else?

 

[ChristaNL]

I believe the molting (Sunny is doing something small-scale as well, lots of the smaller body-feathers) but why would he dry out from a little bathing?

I understood that only is you use really hot water for a long time- the natural oils will start to 'run off' - but luke-warm should be fine.
Unless you only have really harsh mineral-heavy of chlorine-poluted water -> added chemicals might irritate the skin (and airways in case of chlorine of course).

LOL @ kisses when you only want to take a peak, but you are right: looking at the skin will tell you a lot.

I would just go with the soothing & naturally anti-inflamatory herbs (herbal'tea' for drinks and bathing) and maybe in the chop as well.
But you know Lincoln best- if you think he is really, really uncomfortable....

 

[Owlet]

I live in a dry climant so frequent bathing will dry out as it washes away natural oils and etc

 

[Anansi]

Chamomile flowers might help a bit. Definitely seems to be helping a bit with Maya's molt irritation. Not a complete cure-all, but she has seemed less agitated. So it might help Lincoln as well.

 

[ChristaNL]

No water can wash away oils - they are repelling each other.
(that is why we use soap )
It's the temperature that makes oils "flow" (lose the grip on the surface of the feathers and the skin) that is why really warm water is a 'no go'.

Soaking a skin (skincells are not waterrepellent, being layers of dead material on the surface) can make the skin temporarily more 'fragile' and can cause some irritation while it dries again, usually because the natural oils have been lost...

I sin against all those rules- showers are at skintemperature and they love getting soaked, so I let them.

For me it was a great help in breaking the 'getting at the feathers all the time' habbit and it really, really eleviates the cranky-ness about the pinfeathers.
Actually- they will demand more showers when they are starting a molt (all of a sudden they will try to get in the waterbowl, hang on my hand and try to steer me to the bathroom etc.)


So If you are in a warm (and dry) place....go for it!