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Post by blustersquall on May 19, 2014 18:24:04 GMT
Maybe this isn't exactly a health question, but I thought it might be best here.
Snow is definitely going through his first moult as a few pin feathers have started to come through on his cheeks, my query is if there is a specific pattern to the moulting. Like, around his face will it start on his cheeks and then go up to the top of his head above his cere, or is it kind of random?
Moulting consists of loosing and regrowing all of his feathers, so after his face, will it then move down his body to his wings and tail? I just want to know so I'm prepared. I'm adding some extra protein into his diet to help with the energy that moulting requires, and offering him baths every day to try and help, I also ruffle his cheeks quite a bit when he asks me (tilting his head into my fingers) to try and help. And I catch him rubbing his face and beak on his wooden perches quite a bit I think to help him through it.
Is there anything else I can do to help him though the moulting?
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Post by Hezz on May 20, 2014 0:43:28 GMT
Firstly moulting does not consist of losing all the feathers in one moult. They will usually have two major moults a year, and numerous small ones in between. Otherwise the poor bird would be continuously replacing feathers and never get a chance to replenish its energy supplies. Usually you will find small downy feathers first, and then some of the larger feathers a few at a time, but spread out over a week or so. There isn't normally any noticeable pattern, although sometime you may find that particularly above the cere they may lose enough so that you can see their skin. But these all grow back, so no need to worry. Extra protein, in the form of hard-boiled eggs or commercial eggfood, even a bit of diced up cooked chicken if he will eat it - all these are protein-rich foods to help get through this stage. Feathers take a lot of energy to re-grow, so they may also become more tired, less energetic, and sometimes even a little grumpy while the whole process is on the go. If he isn't taking a bath, try misting him with a little tepid water. This can soften the keratin sheaths covering the new feathers and make it easier for them to rub it off. Other than that, mostly all I can add is don't panic!
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Mar 5, 2014 16:35:01 GMT
jonah
Normal Violet
Posts: 162
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Post by jonah on May 20, 2014 1:05:52 GMT
As Hezz said...no particular pattern. You will find each molt your bird goes thru is different...
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Post by blustersquall on May 20, 2014 1:27:40 GMT
Ah! It's only some feathers, that is something I didn't know. Good, at least it's not all of them!
Thank you for the feedback and the advice on the protein rich foods. He made his way through some dried meal worms not long ago, but I'll definitely try the boiled egg (is that with or without the shell? Or does it not matter?) Baths are a funny thing, he goes to them and I think he knows what he's supposed to do, but doesn't ... know how to do it? Like... he just sort of gets the water on his face and chest, and that's it, though he'll spread his wings and ruffle them around as if he's trying to get them wet. I'll give him a spray next time he has a bath so he gets a bit of water all over. :3
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Post by Hezz on May 20, 2014 1:41:58 GMT
He is trying to bath. He will probably get the hang of it one day - it will all simply click for him.
The egg: You can give it all to him, shell included, but remove the membrane. If you have a mortar and pestle, I have found this the easiest way to grind it down. And the mealworms sound good too, if he is into that.
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