Molting

[flrancho]

I was giving my finches some bath water a few minutes ago and noticed that it looks like my Java Rice is molting. I've never noticed one of my birds molting before. Anyway, I've noticed "molting mixes" in petstores that I guess are supposed to be good for you bird when they molt, but I've heard that even if they are molting, I don't need to get this mix for them. Is this true, or do I need the mix? Does anyone do anything, or feed anything special to your birds when they are molting?

[birdeatcat]

Well, Before you decide whether your bird REALLY needs the mix is his or her Diet.
A good seed (If you don't already feed your Java Parakeet food I suggest that you do! It's much better for them, because the seeds are bigger and they don't eat as much, with finch seed.)
If you feed your Java's a Variety of Vegetables (consider leafy greens, but limit spinach, in essence it's not the best for birds, Also Vegi's like carrots, sweet potatoes, sprouts, etc. Avoid things like Mushrooms and stuff like that. I was told at one point that broccoli wasn't too good, so I just avoid it, yet the leaves are fine. Fruits, Avoid giving them seeds from the fruit, but Apples, oranges, mango's, Pears, etc are fine, NEVER GIVE YOUR BIRD AVOCADO! also another great thing to give your birds is Egg food, (I use homemade and store bought, because Vitamin D3 Is difficult for my birds to get cause the sun isn't always shining in my room on them.)

This helps balance their Diet so that their not getting sick from having an imbalanced diet, Hence it also helps the bird go through mating season Happy and healthy and molting season with little or no problems, and be alright. I believe that for the most part the mixes are good if you have a bird stuck in a molt (Generally that means the bird has an ATROCIOUS Diet.)
They should molt just fine, and grow their feathers in again, if they are on a diet such as the one mentioned above. If not Change them over right away!
You can use the mixes, but in the end there's a cheaper method if you decide that you'd like to give them a moulting remedy (it won't stop them from molting but O-O It's amazing, for getting in gorgeous plumage) Take 1/2 Cup of your birds seed, Take a Cod liver Oil tablet, Cut it open and put it all over the seed, Mix it in, then mix in another 1/2 cup of seed to offset the scent.
I guarantee you will have Stunning birds, =D I know I am Trying to get my 4 year old Rice bird that had an Atrocious diet and life before I got my hands on him and He's
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... hilit=Hiro (he's the grey rice bird and the other is a bebe)

Hope this helps you make a good decision for your Java's X]
=D

[Finchgirl]

Molting foods provide vitamins that help birds develop healthier feathers and sometimes, feathers with more vibrant colors. If your finch already has a good diet with essential vitamins, then he probably does not need molting food.

[flrancho]

Thanks for the info. This is the Java Rice in the pic below. Not sure if you can see any molting from the pic, but she has a few quills that I can see on person coming in on her head. She is a very young bird. Got her before her adult plumage came in, so I'm going to say this is just her normal molt.



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I don't feed her parakeet mix, just a finch mix, but she eats almost every new food I put in the flight (napa cabbage and corn are her favorites). She's had hard boiled egg with shell today (but ignored the chopped up cherries). They have quite a bit of sunlight where they're at, so I wouldn't think the Vitamin D3 would be an issue, and I'm starting to try to feed daily fruits/veggies instead of just on occasion.

[Finchgirl]

It sounds to me that your java has a wonderful varied diet and has no need for molting food !

[birdeatcat]

Yes I agree =] And I can tell it is a VERY young bird, Cause I have one at about 2 months 2 weeks old.

Very Cute, and Yes, Very good that you give them Vegi's and egg food.
Many bird owners don't know to do that =]
Worry not then she'll be just fine, after her second molt she'll give you a shock an a half, and Just try the cod liver oil mixture for all your birds you will be pleased with the result.