molting/plucking

[gecko_dance]

It's very possible that this has been covered, but a quick search at work didn't turn up the info I was looking for.

 

Gregory the TAG, approximately 2 1/2, has been fussing with his chest feathers a lot in the past few days. We've seen him pulling out small grey feathers along with the usual drift of fluffy down from his nightly preen. Last night, the area around the door where he usually perches to preen had about 10-15 small grey feathers littered about at the end of the night. So far, we don't see any exposed skin and aren't sure whether to be worried or not. He still has a good appetite and is still his normal chirpy self, but just seems to be paying too much attention to his chest.

 

We can't find a lot of information about molting greys and aren't sure what to expect when that takes place. Is it a yearly occurrence, like a cat shed? Do they pluck out the old to make room for the new or do the old feathers fall out on their own? Does this have nothing to do with molting and is a symptom of something else, dry skin or boredom?

 

Any info would be appreciated. Many thanks.

 

Mike

[Dave007]

That's molting. The white feathers always fall off with no urging from the bird. The grey feathers on the breast will also fall out but there are some that will need a little help from the bird in order to fall out. The bird pulls at them because of very slight discomfort. During any molting season, the skin is always dry, the feathers are brittle and dying. You should see new feathers within a week.

As far as how often it happens, that has to do with the temperature and humidity of the area that the bird lives in. Hiher temperatures combined with dry air will cause frequent molting which you should avoid. A normal molt for a gey will be once or twice a year.

[gecko_dance]

Wonderful, thank you. It's strange that information n molting isn't as available as the info on diet, housing, behavior, since it's such a big part of their lives. I appreciate the help.

[PrettyPax]

My CAG, Pax, is also in the process of molting. I was also uncertain of what to expect - I actually thought she was picking her feathers out - I was THAT worried. For several weeks Pax's chest was nothing but fuzz, and around the blades of her wings the feathers looked really frayed and ratty.

Gecko_dance, one thing I've learned is spray the bird regularly with warm water and aloe juice. It really helps with the dry skin they have during the molt. I also leave her perched on the shower rod with the hot shower running (door closed) so she can soak up the humidity.

I am by no means an expert on everything Grey related, however I have gleaned alot of knowledge in the last few months because Pax's molt has been pretty dramatic.

[Dave007]

"""""Wonderful, thank you. It's strange that information n molting isn't as available as the info on diet, housing, behavior, since it's such a big part of their lives. I appreciate the help."""""

 

Well, all the types of things you mention here can be gotten fromk this board because many, many people have gone through the same thing and as long as they post in order to seek answers,it will eventually be given to you by many people. Your situation isn't an uncommon situation.<br><br>Post edited by: Dave007, at: 2009/02/04 18:58