I think my 6 month old parakeet is molting. I've noticed she has a few blood feathers. She's already lost quite a few little feathers and at least 3 blood feathers that I know of. She has started scratching herself a lot and has been very irritable. Is there anything I can do to help her? She looks so unhappy. Also, how long will this whole process take? I've done tons of research on the internet and haven't found much info I thought was useful. I've noticed that when she has pulled out a blood feather, she'll chew on it and leave only the end. Why is this? Is it normal?
2007-03-20 22:23:00 · 3 answers · asked by hannahk_87 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Most parrots LOVE baths when they moult. They get pretty cranky and may be a bit temperamental as their new feathers come in. It takes about 6 weeks to 2 months for all those feathers to come in. They also moult twice a year, though this depends on where you live, how humid your home is and how warm your home is.
You can help your girl through moulting by providing a dish of water to bathe in, or, if she dislike the dish, you can use a spray mister. Let the water gently fall over her like rain. Birds do a freaking hilarious bath dance when sprayed ... if you've not already been graced with their antics! Another option is to have a bowl of water filled with lettuce. Some birds prefer to dance among the lettuce leaves rather than having a shower.
You can also help by gently rolling the tips of the growing feathers between your fingers. The white tips to the blood feathers will flake off, though if you tug a bit too hard your gal will complain. My tiels will screech and give me an annoyed nip. They especially appreciate attention behind their heads, where they can't reach.
The reason your budgie chews on the tips of the blood feather is because it probably hurts. You may have to pull the shaft in order to give her some peace. Take a tweezers or a pair of needle nose pliers, grab the remaining blood feather and tug firmly in the direction the feather is growing. Make sure to hold her wing at the wrist!
Hope that helps. Good luck to you and your girl!
2007-03-20 22:42:53 · answer #1 · answered by white_ravens_white_crows 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I just wanted to add to the above post that when birds moult they need extra fat, calcium and protein to help their feathers grow in. She's irritable because she's lacking in one or more of those. Takes a lot out of them to grow all that back. Compare it to pms....
Anyway, to help your bird get the nutrients it needs during this time hard boil an egg, and mash it up really good. Crush the shell into tiny pieces and leave it in there (the shell is pure calcium). Offer her a little on a plate (about a teaspoon worth for 1 parakeet) and sprinkle some spray millet on top to get her interested.
Keep the unused egg wrapped up in the fridge and it will be good for a few of days, give her some every morning until she's done her moult. Remove it any uneaten egg after a few hours and discard it (bacteria).
2007-03-21 00:38:00 · answer #2 · answered by RanaBanana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The great factor to do with a molting parakeet IS to feed it! They just like the meals to provide them the vigour to molt. Normal chicken seed for parakeets shall be simply first-class. Millet is okay however no longer always, I could take a look at giving your chicken a few lettuce or cooked broccoli! (my parakeet loves the ones meals)
2016-09-05 10:18:24 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋