Stuck in moult???

[skyjump100]

Morning,
I've had my red pair of Goulds for just over a month now. I'm not sure if they were in moult when I bought them home (a 3 hr drive) however they were definitely moulting the next day! Trouble is that a) they have taken a long time to moult (I think) and b) the male seems to be stuck, with his head still covered in pin feathers (see picture). Body-wise they are starting to look better although still not great but are at least on their way.
They are still in a cage that is a wee bit on the small side, their big cage is set up but I didnt want to stress them by moving them again.
The male is feeding well, eats seeds and some greens (the only one that does). I have also given them a a moulting vitamin/mineral solution in their water plus they have access to grit and egg shell. They also have red and white millet as treats twice a week.

Is there anything else I can do to help the wee chap get through his moult?

[debbie276]

He looks very good to me. It takes a while for all those feathers to grow back in and sometimes it seems like forever but he should lose those pins soon. During moulting I always make sure mine have fresh hard boiled eggs available.
best of luck

[skyjump100]

Hi Debbie,

I've tried them with powdered egg food and hard boiled eggs but they just dont seem interested. Guess I'll just have to keep persevering .

Thanks for the advice.

[kenny66]

make sure your lighting regime is appropriate for the time of year as excessive/too little light hours can effect the moult

[kheather]

yes dont give up on eggfood. I think they look great. My gouldians actually didnt care for it too much, till they had babies....now they have continued to enjoy it even when not breeding. try mashing the hardboiled egg with some bread crumbs (dry your own bread or bread crumbs in can), and add a little seed. I find the sight of the seed will help draw them to it if mixed in. you want a moist crumbly mixture. I also use a product called Feather Fast and it has really help the molt in my baby gouldians and canaries.

[PrettyBird]

I agree with everyone. I think they are looking really good! The pins are a very good sign. And the moult is almost over. Just to us, it seems to take forever

As for egg food, just keep on trying. Try it many different ways. When I first was trying to get them to eat egg food I removed all other food sources from the cage. I put the egg food in a shallow dish and sprinkled a little bit of their seed on top. They finally started eating it!

I dont think you need to change anything you are doing at all.

[skyjump100]

Thanks for the reassurance guys, it does mean a lot!!! I'm really enjoying finches and learning so much as we go along, even learning loads of patience!!!!

I will try the egg food a different way tomorrow and give them a right mash up of everything

Thanks again!

[dan78]

During the moulting time I up the amount of plain Canary seed as well as small portions of boiled egg. Gouldians do take a long time compared to other birds, but look how good they look when out of moult. They look perfectly normal and healthy through their moult.

[skyjump100]

Thanks Dan,
The wee chap seems happy enough and sings all the time. My blue lad is looking stunning but doesnt sing at all just makes small cheep cheep sounds similar to a female.

[jls7453]

I agree. Canary seed and egg food(hard boild eggs) should help.

[jls7453]

I meant boiled (sp)

[skyjump100]

Hi,
The canary food has gone down a treat but the boiled egg is avoided lol!!!!

They are slowly starting to look less like pin heads and more like Gouldians.

[skyjump100]

Quick update:
Both red heads have now just about finished their moult and looking even more stunning!! I love how these birds change all the time and end up looking so stunning. Today is the day they move from there temporary cage to their new flight cage. Cant wait to see them in it!!

[debbie276]

That's great, good luck!

[Martie]

Wonderful! They really do take quite a while to complete their molts compared to other species - but so worth the wait! Enjoy them in their new flight!