Moulting

[mandy]

HI everybody!

I am so excited because biscuit seems to be going though her first moult. I just want to make sure though, how do i know if she is moulting or is just plucking her feathers? I tend to be paranoid when i see 10 or more feathers at the bottom of the cage. Thanks all for your usual support! :whistle:

[linda040899]

Hi Mandy,
If a bird is moulting, you will see new feathers encased in keratin coming in in various places. If my memory serves me correctly, this is Biscuit's first moult so you will see adult feathers coming in on his brow area. It's not unusual for a bird to lose a lot of feathers at this time. When my macaws moult, I find tail and wing feathers literally everywhere!!!

[bird_luver24]

I havent read much on moulting..
When they are going through moulting is there anything special that needs to be done for them?...or fed/supplemented?...
And is there any kind of mood change through this?

[linda040899]

Kelly,
Some birds get easily irritated, as they are uncomfortable because of the new pin feathers. If you give Biscuit scritches and you happen to rub a new feather the wrong way, you may get nipped! The best thing to do is offer extra baths. If Biscuit likes to be misted, do it more often. That really seems to be about the only thing that makes them more comfortable.

[mandy]

Yes Linda... i noticed about 6 weeks ago that random spots of pink started appearing in her forehead... also her bib is beginning to whiten. Yes there are alse feathers encased in keratin, particularly in the chest and chin area. Thanks for the info :D

[emmab]

my lovebirds have started to get a white line almost down their lines of their wings - I think they are also going through a moult - is that right?

[butterfly1061]

my lovebirds have started to get a white line almost down their lines of their wings - I think they are also going through a moult - is that right?My Olivia has this white coloring on her wings. It looks like an outline. She's molting too.