Molting

[Joey'sGirl]

My lovie, Joey, is almost 5 months old. What exactly is 'molting', and when can I expect it to happen?

[Buy A Paper Doll]

Hi,

About twice a year, your bird will start to shed feathers. If your bird is about 5 months old, he will probably start shedding feathers soon.

The first molt is always fun because the adult coloring starts to come in at this time. You may notice it at first around your lovie's face and forehead. As the brighter feathers grow in around the face area, sometimes they look like they have freckles or measles, little specks of bright feathers mixed in with the baby feathers, until they all grow in.

You'll also notice a LOT more little soft feathers on the bottom of the cage and on the floor. Typically they lose the smaller feathers first, then the bigger feathers. Don't worry, your lovie won't go bald! :) It's very similar to a dog shedding his winter coat; the feathers will grow in as soon as they are dropped.

During this time, your lovebird may want to take extra baths. Bathing helps relieve the pain and itchiness of the new feathers as they grow in. Many birds will bathe in their water dish, but if your bird uses a water bottle, you can offer a small shallow bowl of lukewarm water.

Hope this helps!

[shylevon]

Birdies regenerate all the feathers of their bodies and new ones fill in. Thankfully, it doesn't happen all at once, and you should not ever see any bald or thin spots on birdie. You may see or feel tiny pokey spots, and these are called pin feathers, and they can be very itchy to birdie. As feathers grow from the body, they emerge through the skin wrapped in a keratin sheath, This sheath dries out and flakes off, so you might notice a tiny bit of birdie 'dandruff'. A good bath will help with the itchies because it softens this keratin sheath and helps it break away and slough off. You should start seeing piles of feathers all about in no time now, if you haven't already.

[Janie]

Mine molt twice a year. The first molt last six months and then it's time for the second one to start....for another six months! :lol Big Boi and SHy will be a year old this week and those two seem to molt all the time! Mostly the little downy feathers. I vacuum every day in their room and with all the feathers I can see every day, I wonder how they have any left on their little feather butts! :D But, never a bald spot so they must be growing them as fast as their dropping them. :lol

[Z28Taxman]

Mine molt twice a year. The first molt last six months and then it's time for the second one to start....for another six months! :lol

I swear Ditto is like that too. :lol

Sometimes he puffs up, gives a good shake and it looks like it's snowing in here with all the little white feathers floating around. :rofl:

[Joey'sGirl]

Thanks guys! I've saved a few of these little feathers. It's like when my kids got their first haircut.

[butterfly1061]

I save a lot of feathers. I have a vase for each of my birds (4) and before I vacuum everyday, I pick them up (the good ones). The larger ones I save for a future Dream Catcher. :)