moulting/colouring cycle?

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:02 am

I was wondering if someone could pls explain the moulting/colouring up cycle of gouldian chicks/birds.

I have a cock that looks like this

although his head has lost alot more of the grey feathers since these photos and is almost completely black.

I was wondering what is going to happen next...

Will he have a complete molt and his adult colours come out or will it be a slow process? Or is he going to just be a dull coloured bird?

Also, how long will/does this process take and do you think he could be ready for breeding in about 2 months time when our season starts.
I was really hoping to have a clutch this season.

Post by **Sally** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:38 am

He is probably just going thru a normal molt, and there is no way to predict how long it will take. Some of them get thru it fairly quickly, and others take ages. If his head is nearly all black now, he should finish up soon. Make sure he gets lots of protein while he is molting. I think their color improves with each molting.

As far as breeding him in 2 months, how old is he now? Most Gouldian breeders like them to be a year old before they set them up for breeding.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:01 am

by the looks of him I would guess that the moult should be over in about 2 weeks.

I agree with Sally. I dont allow any of my gouldians to breed under 12 months old

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:09 am

thanks,

All I know is that he was born last year and that our breeding season is from march to about sept, so he could be anything from 4 months - 10 months. But Im guessing its closer to 10 months than 4.

Can you pls explain how the colouring process works:
Do all their 'baby' feathers fall out and then they moult into their adult colours (bright colours), or should their adult colours appear when these 'baby' feathers fall out.

Sorry,this waiting game is not easy, especially when you don't know what to expect!

I am feeding them an egg food mix every day to supplement their seed diet, the egg food mix contains a little veg, boiled egg, a cereal soft food and a calcium/phosphorous powder supplement.

epotgiet · Post by **epotgiet** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:05 pm

ShaneW wrote:thanks,

All I know is that he was born last year and that our breeding season is from march to about sept, so he could be anything from 4 months - 10 months. But Im guessing its closer to 10 months than 4.

Can you pls explain how the colouring process works:
Do all their 'baby' feathers fall out and then they moult into their adult colours (bright colours), or should their adult colours appear when these 'baby' feathers fall out.

Sorry,this waiting game is not easy, especially when you don't know what to expect!

I am feeding them an egg food mix every day to supplement their seed diet, the egg food mix contains a little veg, boiled egg, a cereal soft food and a calcium/phosphorous powder supplement.

Shane

you can give them premolt 5 it contains iodine as well. Just put it in their water 3 times a week. you can visit their website.
http://www.medpet.co.za/

and High energy spirulina for birds it contains kelp that is from a different company. it might be difficult to get hold of in EL but here in Joburg their is a petshop around every corner.

ShaneW · Post by **ShaneW** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:57 pm

thanks epotgiet,

I'll try convince a friend to stock it in his petshop

epotgiet · Post by **epotgiet** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:01 pm

ShaneW wrote:thanks epotgiet,

I'll try convince a friend to stock it in his petshop

No problem Shane

I will get back to you about the kelp info.
good luck with your birds

regards Estelle