My blue & gold was born in May '06. She (?) seems to be having about 5 or 6 spots on her chest where you can see the down feathers, the yellow feathers are missing. There are a couple more spots every day. It's not all the way down to her bare chest. Is this molting or plucking?
2006-12-25 00:58:11 · 5 answers · asked by sxyltb 3 in Pets ➔ Birds
You can't see her bare chest. Also, she has pin feathers sticking out of her head and around her neck. And she has been a bit nippy and slightly cranky the last couple of weeks.
2006-12-25 01:08:32 · update #1
It sounds like she is molting but to be sure she isn't plucking, why not have a vet take a look at her?
Most birds have a heavy molt at about 6 months of age so it sounds like she is right on time. The pin feathers are a dead give-away to the natural process going on in her body.
As for time of year a bird molts, it really is bird specific. Some birds can molt lightly year round and others have a heavy molt once or twice a year. Most birds will replace their feathers once a year. By the way, for the regrowth of feathers, Almonds provide much needed calcium and are beneficial to your Macaw during the molting process.
More information at the link below.
2006-12-25 01:49:57 · answer #1 · answered by silver2sea 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like plucking to me. My macaw molts a few times a year, and you can tell that's happening by all the pin feathers sticking out all over. (Well...that and his cranky little attitude). Sounds like you've got a more serious problem than just a molt. Typically, a molt won't show bare skin.
Make sure he's got enough toys in his cage and stay away from preening toys like ropes and cotton, and instead give him puzzle toys.
Plucking is usually a direct result of boredom, anxiety, fear or something else that's changed in his environment. Give him something to occupy his time, including more attention and you can probably head this problem off and help him correct it rather quickly.
I have two macaws, so if you need help, just email me.
Edited to add:
Sorry...I misread. I thought you said it was all the way down to bare skin.
Like I said though, a molt is usually marked by tons of pin feathers all over the place. You can feel them, kind of hard in her feathers when you cuddle. Rio's usually a butthead during that time because it's so itchy and generally not fun for him. So, I step up the baths to about twice a week during molt season, and I help him preen by gently rolling the pin feathers between my fingers. The ones that are ready to shed are more white than purple.
I also noticed (during the second reading of your question LOL) that she's just a baby. It's a little early for anxiety behaviors like plucking. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it's not the norm. I'd just try to help her with her molt.
Rio and Katie are both molting right now too. This wierd weather's got everything in an uproar!
2006-12-25 01:02:48 · answer #2 · answered by sdkramer76 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Macaw Age
2016-12-16 03:05:16 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be the beginning to plucking, watch closely. Mist her daily this will help her skin and feathers especially during the dry winter months. Make sure she has some preening toys (rope and such. my birds favorites are party crepe paper. I run a small chain through it and hang.) If she otherwise acts healthy I would wait and see if she gets through this. If other signs are present then take her an avian vet.
2006-12-25 02:06:56 · answer #4 · answered by birdlady67005 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'm not sure about this, but the safest thing to do, in my opinion, is to go see a veteranarian.
2006-12-25 07:22:33 · answer #5 · answered by TITANS FAN 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋