Moulting?

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:11 am

Hi All,

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I just have a quick question. I've read that Gouldians go through a serious moult. How often and is there a way to know when their starting? I'm seeing a lot of feathers flying around the last few days, more so then usual. I was just wondering if this could be the start.

Thanks,
Renee

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:31 am

It may well depend upon where in the world you are located. You can add that in your profile so we don't need to ask all the time. But my finches have just started breeding a couple of months ago and will continue until January or February. That's when 1/2 of my finches typically go into their annual moult. The other half of my finches usually go into moult in June/July.

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:12 pm

i'm in NYC. I had a problem a few days ago entering my location. I was able to do it today.

I added a nest to their cage last week but so far don't see any breeding behavior, but they seem very close. Just seem to be losing a lot of feathers the last few days. I've only had them for 3 weeks though.

Thanks,
Renee

Post by **Sally** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:31 pm

They could just be dropping a few feathers in reaction to the stress of being moved. I've noticed with my birds that whenever I do a big shift in cage populations, I have an increase in feathers on the floor--mostly the small down feathers. I wonder if it is like when I take one of the dogs or cats to the vet--they shed like crazy, and the vet says it's a reaction to the stress of coming to her office.

With Gouldians, if they are truly entering a molt, you will soon see pin feathers sticking out all over their head.

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:32 pm

Yes, it looks like mostly the down feathers. They just seem to be losing more in the last few days. I can't wait to get them into a bigger cage and a more permanent spot.

Thanks,
Renee

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 4:35 pm

Gouldians are such sleek beautiful birds that when they even start to look rough, you'll know their molting has started.

When mine are not molting, I don't notice any feathers on the cage floor at all.

Just keep them warm and give them plenty of protein.

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 4:54 pm

Will do, thanks. Besides dry and homemade eggfood, what other types of proteins do you suggest? I use a few different seeds, one has bee pollen added to it and I've made them birdy bread. I'm very interested in giving them a healthy and balanced diet, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Renee

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:25 pm

You could try sprouted seed, meal worms, grated hardboiled egg so it looks like small worms, etc. Gouldians can be finicky, so don't expect them to try everything you give them.....at least on the first try.