Zebs & Moulting...seasonal or age based?

cntrymeadow · Post by **cntrymeadow** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:08 am

We have 5 baby zebs that are almost eating on their own.
Parent still feed some of them.

When will the baby zebs go through their first molt?
Is it age based or season based?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:58 pm

The FIC says they molt at 5-8 weeks of age and completed at 2-3 months.
I don't believe it's seasonal or age. It's really based on individuality.
I had 6 Gouldians in the same clutch. 4 of them molted at the same time. 6 weeks later, the other 2 are half way through.

cntrymeadow · Post by **cntrymeadow** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:55 pm

Thanks for the reply.
I didnt realize (never having gone through a molt before) that it would take so long!
Im assuming then when the new feathers come in they will have their adult colors?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 9:05 pm

Yes, as far as I know, Zebras don't have an adolescent molt like Star finches. It does seem to take a long time especially when you consider that a newly hatched chick can go from naked to fully feathered in less than 3 weeks!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 9:09 pm

True, juvenile Zebra finches moult directly into their adult colours - lucky fids!