normal for 2 month old gouldian to molt?

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danaday
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normal for 2 month old gouldian to molt?

Post by danaday » Thu Dec 27, 2012 12:10 pm

Is it normal for gouldian chicks to start molting just a little bit over two months? My two gouldian chicks hatched October 23. They have started to molt and its only the end of December. I thought gouldian juveniles didn't start molting around 4 months? Any feed back is welcomed. I have a bh pb bb male juvenile and the other is a bh pb gb female (I'm pretty sure). The parents were bh pb gb/bb.
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Bh pb bb male juvenile
Bh pb bb male juvenile
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GOULDIANS
2 BH PB BB females
1 BH/GYH PB GB male
1 RH WB GB male

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danaday
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Re: normal for 2 month old gouldian to molt?

Post by danaday » Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:09 am

I apologize for the blurry picture. But if you look at it closely the purple has just started to come in the chest. There is some black starting around the lower face and like a light blue pin feather on the neck.
Danaday

GOULDIANS
2 BH PB BB females
1 BH/GYH PB GB male
1 RH WB GB male

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birdclaws
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Re: normal for 2 month old gouldian to molt?

Post by birdclaws » Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:31 am

It's not too uncommon to start seeing a few patches come in at that time. The full heavy molting may still be several weeks away. I've had some gouldians have these small patches for months without completing their full molt for another couple months. In my limited experience, I've found my hens to be completely finished within 4 month and my males take a bit longer.
Brian

Gouldians, Java Sparrows, Cape Doves

debbie276
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Re: normal for 2 month old gouldian to molt?

Post by debbie276 » Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:45 am

I agree with Brian, not uncommon.
good looking bird :)
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

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Lisa
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Re: normal for 2 month old gouldian to molt?

Post by Lisa » Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:57 am

I've had gouldian babies that will start to get little blurbs of color on their face or chest but take much longer to fully color in.

Out of 9 babies we had in July, all are fully colored now except for two holdouts - one male, one female. One has a big splash of bright purple on the chest. The other looks like it hasn't started coloring at all. Not sure what to do. I have them separated by sexes, have been giving Feather Fast regularly plus a good diet.

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danaday
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Re: normal for 2 month old gouldian to molt?

Post by danaday » Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:00 pm

Thanks everyone for your advice/help. I feel a lot better knowing this is common. :)
Danaday

GOULDIANS
2 BH PB BB females
1 BH/GYH PB GB male
1 RH WB GB male

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danaday
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Re: normal for 2 month old gouldian to molt?

Post by danaday » Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:04 pm

Debbie...thanks for the compliment. He's my first clutch and surprise blue gouldian. I'm looking forward to him molting into his adult feathers.
Danaday

GOULDIANS
2 BH PB BB females
1 BH/GYH PB GB male
1 RH WB GB male

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