Is this a normal molt?

[LadyGouldianGirl]

Within the past few weeks my boys have begun molting. This will be their first molt with me since I've only had them since last summer. Since I only have 2 males, they are not breeding so that doesn't play a role. I've attached a photo of my boy that has me a bit concerned. He's beginning to look more like a porcupine than a bird My other boy only has very few pin feathers so I assume that would be normal. Larry here has a neck full. A little about nutrition: I have never been successful getting them to eat fresh foods, therefore have supplemented them with Hearty Bird in their water. When I started seeing signs of molting (about a month ago) I discontinued the Hearty Bird and started putting Feather Fast on their millet (which they promptly devour). I also have dried eggfood available which I sprinkle with millet seeds but not sure they actually eat the eggfood or just pick out the millet. Is this amount of pin feathers normal? Is this considered a "compressed molt" and should I be concerned about balding? What else can I do? Fresh and soft foods just gets ignored.

[debbie276]

There can be a variety of patterns and degree of pin feathers with each molt.
I wouldn't worry, keep the high protein diet going

Good luck

[LadyGouldianGirl]

debbie276
Good to know. Thanks so much for the reply!!! He looks so pitiful but is still happy and singing at the top of his little lungs

[lovezebs]

LadyGouldianGirl

They can look pretty awfull for a while, but with the right diet and lighting, he should be as beautiful as ever in no time.

Look at this poor ugly thing, and compare it to the end product, lol....

[LadyGouldianGirl]

lovezebs
Wow! This makes me feel a lot better. I only hope Larry turns out as handsome as your little guy.

[lovezebs]

LadyGouldianGirl

I thought that those photos would be reassuring, lol.

Just when you're ready to throw in the towel, and resign yourself to the uggggliest birds in the universe, they transform into these beauties.

Just keep offering lots of hard boiled eggs and all sorts of veggies and greens. A good diet, is what makes all the difference in the world.