Synchronised moulting?

[starling]

How often do budgies moult? And does one moulting budgie trigger another to moult?

My boys had a moult about 6-8 weeks ago and this last couple of weeks have been looking beautiful in their new feathers. However, in the last week Maya began to moult, and it seems that this has triggered the boys to moult again, already.

Is this normal timing, or has Maya's moult somehow triggered the boy's off?

[Hezz]

I think there are definite seasons for moulting, but that it is also an individual thing, from what I have observed. I don't know that one moulting would trigger another one to, rather that the same conditions/weather would cause them to moult at similar (but not necessarily the same) times.

Mine seem to have two big moults every year, losing their flights and tail feathers; but Sparky moults around the calendar, much more than Smudge does.

[ruby 5]

Our birds have just started moulting. We've just put the heating on, I don't know if this is a factor? Does anyone feed different foods or extra vitamins to their birds while they are moulting?

[starling]

It seems to me like there might be some hormones around. Unfortunately, the first one to moult catches the last one to moult, and has yet another moult! I could be wrong, but it does seem like some sort of chain reaction!

I heard that millet is good when they're moulting, so I always put some out.

It worries me when they moult because they look terrible! And they lose their confidence and become more scared. It's understandable I guess, if you're losing your flight feathers and you live with a predator!

[Hezz]

Ruby, the heating is definitely a factor - the air will be much drier than it has been. To add a bit of humidity to the air for the birds, some shallow bowls of water around the room is good. Top them up as the water evaporates. Maybe even encourage them to take a bath.


Eggfood is a good boost to their protein levels while they are moulting. Feather-growing leeches a lot of energy from our birds, which is why they can become quieter and a little grumpy while this is going on. Eggfood is a high protein food and help promote healthy feather growth.

[ruby 5]

Thanks Hezz The birds won't take a bath but they love being sprayed. I've just stopped giving them egg food as the chicks are now feeding themselves, but they did love it so I'll give them a little. BB said it's ok to feed them it one a week or every ten days so they can still have their treat. I used to feed them Beaphar budgie food, (don't know if you can get that) but it's got everything in. They left the dried fruit though and just picked out the seed so now I feed them Trill, this has added egg food too and they prefare fresh fruit and veg.......Oh well tme to hoover the feathers again

[lizb]

Just a quick question Ernest knocke his Wing and broke a feather which bleed every where he is fine now but has drie blood all over his under side and wing could I wash it off or leave it I have offered him a bath but not interested

[Hezz]

If he isn't quiet and tame, you may end up doing more damage to other feathers trying to wash it off, but it really is your call. If it is unsightly and offends you try a wash off, or a bowl of water and plop him into it, making sure the wing gets wet. Once it is loosened he may preen it off himself.