FINCHforum

How many people are experiencing molting in their Gouldians?
Just curious here...

Me

Nearly all of my birds, outside of 2 pairs of first year breeders that recently came into breeding condition, are molting.

Oddly - I even have one juvenile that hatched 8/2/08 who started to molt, then halted (probably due to winter) and had some patchy spots, and now is full blown molting again, as if he didn't molt at all before.

I also have a hen that did a full blown molt last October who is full-blown molting again.
I think it is a process of them getting on their own schedule, and could also be attributed to me starting the MF diets in December.

Maybe it's been an odd year. Mine were not in breeding condition for very long. Just seemed like they molted not all that long ago and now they are not the least bit interested in breeding. They (most) have been on the austerity diet for almost two weeks. They don't look good. (not unhealthy, but tattered looking plummage and a lot of feathers on the bottom of the cage.) I will be switching them back to the Breeding/Molting diet here in a few days.

I have two adult pairs that I separated a month ago right after breeding and they are all moulting as well as all my babies!

I have a few other pairs not finished raising babies that are not moulting yet. When they are finished (another 1 to 6 weeks) then I'll separate them too and they will hopefully moult.

My Strawberries are actually building (FINALLY) their first ever nest! In fake plants I put in their cage last weekend!

Fire Finches and Stars aren't doing anything.

Congratulations on your Strawberries! Good to hear Liz.

I know the other species of finches molt, but the Gouldians are the only species that really seem to have a severe molt once a year while the others seem to molt a little here and there all year long. Sorta like Labrador Retrievers!