Molting, pinfeathers and some questions

[Albert]

My last birdie, Max, a BB parrot ( yellow wing parrot) before he died, had been in state of molt for 4 months or more, with tons of pin feathers on his neck.

Question 1) How long should a molt take?

Question 2) What do you do for massive amounts of pin feathers?

Question 3) Is that a sign of some illness? I;d hate to think yes, and my little Maxie could have been saved.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Hi Albert
I think molt depends on the bird's environment. If they are kept outdoors and are subject to the seasons they have regular molts. But indoors with central heating their biorhythms are knocked out of kilter and they molt randomly. Casper also seems to have pin feathers around his neck most of the time. He also seems to lose all the feathers above his beak at the same time which was a bit worrying the first time it happened and last winter he was down to just three butt feathers.
The only answer I can give to Q2 is approach with caution. :th_smile:
I'm not sure that producing new feathers is a sign of illness (someone more knowledgeable than me should be along shortly to put me right) but was he getting the nutrition he needed to help with the growth?
Salty looks cheerful - nice pic.

[spiritbird]

Hi Albert I am sorry your lost your bird. That is a tough one to handle. About the molt questions. As said the length and frequency of molts depends on the birds environment. Some molt often and for long periods of time. I have had birds take up to 4 months sometimes. Or it could have been one molt running into another one. Since I have two bonded birds they take good care of any pin feather so a molt is only a month for them. With massive amounts of pin feathers I would try to remove the sheath that covers the new feather myself for a single bird. This must be done when they sheath has dried up or it will be rather painful for the bird.
Frequent bathing or spritzing would help relieve any itching. The birds will also shake some free after being wet. Extra protein is good during a molt because it helps to grow in sturdy, shiny new feathers. I have never heard that massive amounts of pinnies are a sign if illness. Only thing I can think of is when a bird is ill they do not preen as much so pinnies may be seen in more than usual amounts.

[Lady]

Hi Albert,
Poor little Salty must be feeling a bit itchy. Molting should be once a year but like the others have said that can vary. Here is a link that gives general information about molting, hope it helps.

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[Robyn]

Rileys first molt was 7 months he is currently a month into another molt as is Carolina.

[Mare]

It seems my birds molt year round. The only one, that I can tell, who molts aggressively at certain times, is Chip..our cockatiel. He does this 2-3 times a year.

[kendrafitz]

Molting is a question that doesn't seem to have a definitive answer. As Jean-Pierre and Diane said, I believe it is dependent on the environment.

My GW Rosie molts all year long. When I first noticed that she doesn't ever get a break, I started researching. Most people said once a year, which sent me into a panic. But I wonder if that is more for birds that are in the wild, or are able to spend great amounts of time outside (in warmer climates). So I wouldn't panic if Salty molts longer than you think is "normal". You can always check with your avian vet.

For pin feathers, especially on the neck and head, help preen if Salty allows it. If birds have mates, they help each other with the pins they can't reach themselves. But if they have no mate, it's up to their human. Rosie and I preen several times a day. (I will even preen the poor macaws at the bird store if they are by themselves. I hate seeing those poor itchy guys suffering with white sheaths all over their heads. Plus, they are always so grateful. Poor babies.) Also showers help a lot. If Salty won't shower than try to bring his stand in the bathroom with you when you shower. The steam will help soften the pins.

Molting is not a sign of illness that I know of. But I am NOT an expert. Hopefully one of our more experienced members will correct me if I am wrong on this.

I just started putting featheriffic on Rosie's food. It is a supplement for molting. I have no idea if it is a coincidence or not, but she hasn't been dropping many feathers this week. I don't have much to preen, which NEVER happens. I can usually lightly preen her for at least an hour a day and still have some to do at night. :)