Molting

[FinchNerd]

I've swept my floor twice...and yet there are still little balls of feathers that form little tornadoes all over my floor when my fan is on. Feathers float through the air, dance across the floor, stick to my clothes, etc. I've got feathers everywhere right now. I can only assume Aristotle and Socrates are molting. I know they've done this many times before. But I realized I don't know much about it. How often do they molt? Also I've seen those molting supplements or whatever in the pet store. Do I really need to watch for excessive amounts of feathers and then feed them a supplement or are they okay without it? Just wondering if I should do anything special when they are molting. I haven't before and they've been fine...but you know how it is, I want to make sure I'm doing the best I can for them. Any advice, tips, or tidbits? Thanks!

[franny]

Since Zebras don't go through as heavy a molt as Gouldians (in spite of the feathers you're seeing! ) I'd say that a supplement isn't really necessary. The best thing to do for them at these times is to feed them eggfood every day.

[FinchNerd]

Cool, I'll do that. Oh and I think I read somewhere that they tend to get moody when they molt, is that true? I have noticed a little more bickering than usual. I wonder if it's like a bird version of PMS?

[franny]

I hadn't heard that, but it wouldn't surprise me. If I had all my "hair" fall out in patches and had to wait for it to grow back before I could get back to normal, I'd be grumpy, too!

[FinchNerd]

Good point, I would too!