Wet feathers that aren't wet?

Domenic · Post by **Domenic** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:55 pm

My little orange cheek can't fly very far. The other day I took him into the bathroom to cut his nails and he could only get about 5 inches off the ground. I knew that this wasn't some wing muscle issue so I thought it must have been a feather issue. I spread his wings out and his feathers are very skinny and there are large gaps between each feather, probably why he can't catch any air. His feathers look exactly like what you would expect in a bird that has just taken a bath, except he wasn't wet at all. For some odd reason his wing feathers are always like this, I keep and eye on him in the cage and I can see them clearly when he stretches. He can't fly far in the cage either, he has to climb the cage walls to get where he wants. He came out of a molt about a month ago and every other feather has properly fluffed but his wing feathers. I don't understand it. Any insight?

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:14 pm

Domenic, this is a site I found about prolonged molt. This may help.

http://www.finchniche.com/f-molting.mgi

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/features_molting.mgi

can you post a picture?

monotwine · Post by **monotwine** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 3:16 am

Gosh sorry to hear of your finches plight. Never heard of something like that. I hope all comes right.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:15 am

Domenic, I have heard of this and seen it in a friends bird before, I tried searching last night for this on line. I will try to find it for you.

One sight suggested it is a thyroid issue and iodine might help anther suggeted Feather Fast to help with the possiblity of the bird being stuck in a long molt.

jessyh · Post by **jessyh** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:33 am

You know, I have this problem with all of my stars and I thought it was just me. Their feathers almost look oily all the time, like they just took a bath. Big spaces between the feathers. Can't fly well at all. If it is an Iodine problem, I need to get more kelp. I ran out last week. Strange.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:38 am

I will try to find the article and go through some of the books I have, if I find it I'll post it under a separate topic and pm you.

I found a guide for daily diet and supplements that might help during a molt

http://www.mfgouldianfinches.com/Nutrit ... t_Mix.html

She stopped using wet foods due to bacteria growth but does offer the recipes she used to use.

Sable · Post by **Sable** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:04 am

Hi everyone, i have this in one avaiy only. to date 2 chicks from different breeds, 1 plumhead, and 1 gouldian. the gouldian still has not flown he tries. the plumhead has flown and now roasts on the branches. i am going to right now place a block of rock salt out to see what happens. they do get tracmol which includes iodine but you never now.

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Wet feathers that aren't wet?

Wet feathers that aren't wet?

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