Orange Cheek tail feathers fell out

[Domenic]

I got an Orange cheek yesterday and he seems to be doing fine in his quarantine cage, the only thing is that when I cut his nails 3 of his tail feathers fell out. I definitely didn't rip them out by being too rough, they just seemed to fall out. He plucked one out himself and now, sadly, he only has one long tail feather left. Since these feathers fell out so easily do you think it's because he's molting again? Possible malnutrition from previous owner? How long do you think it will take to grow back?

[Sally]

Some of my birds lose their tail feathers very easily. I was catching up RCCBs to take them to a mart, and one little hen's tail feathers came off in my hand when I released her into the sale cage. I don't think it means poor nutrition--at least I hope not! And tail feathers seem to grow back fairly quickly.

[Domenic]

Thanks so much sally. How long does it take for your birds to grow their tail feathers back out? I feel so bad for Sherbert (the orange cheek) his tail looks like a little needle...

[Sally]

I'm embarrassed to say that I really don't know how long it took. I didn't pay that much attention, just that it didn't seem very long. They may look odd for a time, but it seems to me that the tail feathers grew back faster than say head or neck feathers that had been plucked.