Molting, activity level and feathers

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:58 am

Hi all,

Want to know what others here say about a Gouldian that is molting. Mine is in a molt and seems to have it's fethers more fluffed up as well it seems to be less active than it's mate and perhaps eating less. Is this all normal?

Chris

Post by **Sally** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:58 am

Yes, this is normal. The molt in Gouldians is much more pronounced than with other finches, and it is hard on them. Since they are dropping and replacing so many feathers at once, they use up lots of protein and energy. If your birds like eggfood, this is an excellent food at this time. It gives them protein from the egg and extra calcium from the shell. Some owners use products such as Feather Fast and Calcium Plus. The main thing is to make sure they get extra protein and calcium. I believe canaries also do a similar type of molting. Other finches molt so gradually that it is not as noticeable.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:19 am

Hi Sally,

Thanks for putting my mind at some ease.

I have converted the goulds to the "Zupreem Avian Maintenance Diet" over the past few weeks which is a pellet diet and has more protein and minerals than the seed diet it was on so I think this should be fine for it. I'm afraid to give it seeds as it has less protein than the pellet diet and will definetly be favoured by the finches over the pellets if in the cage. As for the egg diet although it has a high protein content it doesn't have the vitamines and minerals that the pellets offer and I also know if available the goulds will only eat the egg protein. So I'm left with the pellet diet only. Any thoughts? Also don't really want to make too much change in this stressful time for them.

There are feathers on the floor every day and the pin feathers are showing up on her head. I am starting to notice some longer flight fethers also on the cage bottom also.

Do Goulds that molt need more sleep? Should I turn off the lights earlier in the night for them or keep it on longer so there is more chance they can eat if they want to? I have my Goulds in my office so how many hours of darkness is needed while in molt and while not in molt?

Chris

Post by **Sally** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:23 am

Hi, Chris, I don't think the lights are going to bother them--if they want to sleep in daylight, they just tuck their heads under their wings. My Gouldians are never good about eating other foods--very picky eaters. I also have mine on the Zupreem diet. I know Zupreem says they don't need anything else, but I still offer extra protein and calcium for breeding and molting--just my thing. If you do offer eggfood, just mash one hardboiled egg, shell and all, and only offer them a little bit of it. They most likely will not prefer it over the pellets, may not eat the eggfood at all. If you do wind up feeding eggfood, since the birds are in your office, never leave the eggfood in overnight, it should normally only be in the cage for 3-4 hours anyway. I make an eggbread recipe for my birds (I like to cook, anyway), this is eggs mixed with cornbread mix and baked, and it can stay in the cage all day, it is more dry and doesn't seem to spoil.

Since you have your birds on a high-quality diet, they should be fine. Don't they look awful when those pin feathers are sticking out all over their heads?!

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:18 pm

Thanks for your suggestions. I have noticed that the Goulds do seem to not tuck their heads under their wings unless I turn off the light in the room. They will seem to sleep with eyes closed but awake when I get close to them. If I only work on my computer (with the screen light on) with lights off they seem to sleep with heads under their wings. Just my observation.

Chris

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:54 am

I would continue to offer egg food or some other types of food besides the pellets always. I also give a product called miracle meal, that they love and it is high in protein. A pellet only diet usually is not sufficient enough for all the nutients finches need.

http://www.redbirdproducts.com/thismonthsspecials.htm

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:49 pm

I'm kinda afraid of egg food as my finches will only take to it and it might be a problem as their diet will become unbalanced.

Perhaps I should mix the egg food in with the pellets, what do you think?

Chris

Post by **Sally** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:22 pm

If you mix the eggfood (made from fresh eggs) in with the pellets, you will have to toss the pellets after a few hours--a waste of pellets. If you decide to feed eggfood, just give them a small amount in a separate dish. There are commercial eggfoods out there that would be dry, and could be mixed with the pellets if you wish, but I would myself would not mix anything in with the pellets.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:21 pm

I would probable mix some of the commercial egg food with the pellets if I do feed the egg food.

Chris

Post by **Hilary** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:13 am

I wouldn't worry too much about their diet becoming unbalanced (personal opinion). They may prefer the eggfood, but if it's absent when they get hungry they should eat their pellets. Mine love millet and certain vegetables, but neither is always in the cage. All in moderation!

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:11 am

I agree with Hilary... if the eggfood is not there, they will continue to eat their pellets. They aren't going to starve themselves. Plus the eggfood is really good for them, fresh eggfood especially.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 11:17 pm

Thanks Emily and Hilary for your responses.

Got more of a problem with female gould laying eggs outside the nest box... See my other post.

Chris

kiwi & mango · Post by **kiwi & mango** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:11 pm

I have a questin regarding egg food.

On Thursday night such as this we have a very busy evening. My two children both have acitives and such so we always have eggs for dinner. Fast and easy afte school. So is it alright if I take about half or a full teaspoon and place it in a dish for the goulds on the floor of the cage. I like to add a little cream into my eggs (a dash or two) to help whip them up. Will this be alright?

thanks

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 5:53 pm

Provided you have no spices in the egg I don't see a problem with it.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:08 pm

From what I've heard... anything cream or with milk at all is not good for the finches.