Canary won't stop molting :(

[Beaker'sMom]

Hey there,
So my canary won't stop molting, and it's freaking me out. He starting molting in May and I'm still sweeping up feathers. He lives outside in a covered aviary, and has a natural photoperiod with no artificial lighting. He also gets natural sunlight for 2 hrs in the morning. His behavior is normal...in fact he has been singing robustly through his molt and eats like a horse. He also gets plenty of fresh veggies and is on Dr. Harvey's Incredible Canary Food. He flat out refuses pellets. Any suggestions? I'm so worried that this will harm him. He also molted out of season in the winter.

[finchmix22]

Maybe I misunderstood, but he began in May to molt. In southern CA, it's still hot, so this is not a winter molt, but I wonder if he needs more protein, like feather fast, eggfood or other high protein and high calcium foods, to encourage the molt to finish. Any pics?

[lovezebs]

Hi.
If I recall right, there is something called 'stuck in the molt'. I remember you mentioning somewhere that he was molting in the winter. Are we talking about Kevin, the older fellow? If we are, then I wonder if it has something to do with his age (?) I wonder if he is lacking something in his diet.

[BigBear0007]

Can you bring him inside and put him in a cool room or garage.
He needs to be shocked out of his molt.
As long there isn't a draft in the the room, but it must be cool.

Give it a try, I had to do it many times.

Jerry

[Beaker'sMom]

Hello there,
Thank you so much for your replies. I don't think he has a dietary deficiency, as he gets plenty of fresh veggies, dried herbs, fruit, as well as bird vitamins smashed into his weekly boiled egg. He also has access to morning sunlight every day. However, we have had very warm weather (some days in the 90's) and although he's shaded, I am going to move him inside until it cools down. Hopefully, this advice will change things for him. Aside from his molting, he is in great spirits and health. He loves being outside, and since his indoor cage is much smaller, I'm worried he'll be depressed. Hopefully, we cool down soon over here!

[David]

Indeed still so warm in your area, I hope the temperature will help too when cooling down. Since you gave it a lot of nutrition food and not calcium deficiency etc that's a good sigh. Keep up your great work and continue to care for him. My finches are getting molting all the time too, especially if a male and female together in the same cage, not just that but the male build the nest over and over again like never get tired! Anyways, I hope your bird will stop the molting soon, keep us updated!