The Molt

For concerns related to avian illness and wellbeing.
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Gráinne Barrett
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The Molt

Post by Gráinne Barrett » Fri Sep 05, 2014 4:09 pm

Hey lads, was wondering any tips for birds going through the molt? [-o<
Gráinne
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Finches, hookbills, canaries and diamond doves!

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lovezebs
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Re: The Molt

Post by lovezebs » Fri Sep 05, 2014 5:00 pm

Gráinne Barrett
Not a lad, but never mind. :-D
The best advice is get your vacume cleaner out and ready, my girl.
First of all, whose molting? I noticed that you have different kinds of birds.
It has been my experience, that when you house different species, someone is always molting somewhere. Feathers have become my constant companions, following in my wake around the house wherever I go. Sweeping doesn't help.
Anyway, back to your question. When birds are molting, it takes a lot out of them to grow all those new feathers back. So they need really good nutrition. Good seed mixture, lot's of hard boiled eggs for protein. The egg shells for calcium. Fruits and vegetables for vitamins. Cuttle bone, mineral block and a few drops of bird vitamins in their drinking water every couple of days or so.
If you keep this up, they should come through their molt with flying colours.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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MiaCarter
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Re: The Molt

Post by MiaCarter » Fri Sep 05, 2014 5:34 pm

lovezebs has it covered nicely!
Lots of protein and other good foods.

I also offer a heat lamp, especially for the species who go through a harder molt, like gouldians.
It just provides a bit of warmth when they need to conserve their body's resources.
Plus, those who go through a heavier molt can have thin spots so they chill easier.
Humum to....
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets

....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.


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www.PetFinchFacts.com

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Gráinne Barrett
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Re: The Molt

Post by Gráinne Barrett » Fri Sep 05, 2014 6:49 pm

lovezebs
Ignore me when I say lads, being Irish everyone is a lad to me! The species that I have going thought the molt are gouldians.
Gráinne
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Finches, hookbills, canaries and diamond doves!

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lovezebs
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Re: The Molt

Post by lovezebs » Fri Sep 05, 2014 7:11 pm

Gráinne Barrett
Hi Grainne.
With Gouldians, pamper them as much as possible. I recently had a little girl (Sharra) that I almost lost during her baby molt. It took months, but finally she made it through and is now lovely and has her young man singing to her.
My boy Jaxon, on the other hand had no problems with his first molt.
Far from an expert, but you can't go wrong with good nutrition, light, and as Mia mentioned, extra heat.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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