Understanding the Molt
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- AnneWatkins
- AnneWatkins
- jerrib
- AnneWatkins
- eileenmin
- Red
- AnneWatkins
- AnneWatkins
- valerie62166
- delr
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» AnneWatkins - Re: Re: Re: Molting season
In response to message posted by eileenmin:Hi Eileen,
My goodness, it sounds like that little guy is having a hard time. But without seeing him myself, I can only make guesses about things.
Ragged looking feathers are normal with a molt, and so is the 'buzzcut' look. That's his new pinfeathers coming in and they'll look fine once he gets them all preened. It's hard for a single bird to take care of his own head feathers, but eventually he'll scratch all the old dried sheaths off. You should notice him doing some heavy duty preening.
Covering the cage will make sure that he gets plenty of undisturbed rest, which is important. How many hours of sleep time does he get? You might want to cover him an hour or two earlier at night, and leave him covered a little longer in the mornings for awhile. If there is a lot of traffic around his cage during the day, it would be a good idea to cover at least part of the cage to give him a sense of security during this stressful time.
Make sure he's getting a really good diet, plenty of water for drinking and bathing (which you are already doing) and that he is getting enough rest. He'd probably enjoy a small piece of whole wheat bread along with his regular diet just as an additional treat. He'll start singing again when the molt is done.
If he doesn't look better to you soon, you might consider taking him to a vet. I think probably he's just going through a prolonged molt, but without seeing him, I can't be sure. My canary used to shed feathers year 'round, it seemed like.
Please keep me posted!
Anne
-- posted by AnneWatkins
» AnneWatkins - Re: Hi Anne!
In response to message posted by A1_Viking:Hi Donna!
Birdie PMS...roflol! PreMolt Syndrome? *snicker*
Hope you're getting caught up on everything! Take it easy, girl. 
Anne
-- posted by AnneWatkins
» jerrib - Bet you do
have some beautiful feathers. I read your article on what to do with them and found it interesting. I remember bringing home many a feather as a kid from the "wilds" of our country home. I love to see them incorporated in crafts.I didn't think about what birds have to go through to get new feathers; yours sound like they have a great owner who helps them along.
I really appreciate the visits to my site, Anne. I hope you're able to get some huckleberries again someday so you may create more memories.
-- posted by jerrib
» AnneWatkins - Re: Bet you do
In response to message posted by jerrib:Hi Jerri!
Thanks so much for your visit and for your kind comments. Sure is much appreciated! I've always loved feathers, and my brother and I did all sorts of fun things with chicken and wild bird feathers when we were little. Used them for writing in the dirt, tried to make head dresses, stuck them in pinecones and made funny birds, all kinds of stuff. hehe!
About the huckleberries...I thought I found a bush behind our house in the woods recently, but wasn't sure. I'm going to check it out again to see if there are any berries there. That would be great.
Have a lovely day!
Anne
-- posted by AnneWatkins
» eileenmin - Re: Re: Hi Anne!
Thanks so much for your expert advice. The mother of one of my son's friends was over and I asked her to look at the canary. She has several canaries and cockatiels but said she wasn't that experienced. But she did say he looked like her birds during a molt so maybe he is normal afterall.It just seems like the tiny feathers on his head are the last to grow in. He looks a bit plucked on top. Reminds me of the hairstyle my 13-year old son wants to get for school.
Take care,
Eileen
Republican/Conservative Women
-- posted by eileenmin
» Red - great article...
Anne, this is a great article. Very informative and well written. I love all of your articles about Rio and Pancho. I would love to meet them. They sound like such socialites.Take care. I will be back to visit again soon. Hope you are having a great day and keeping cool.
-- posted by Red
» AnneWatkins - Re: Re: Re: Hi Anne!
In response to message posted by eileenmin:I'm so glad to hear that someone else with molting birdies was able to look at him and set your mind at ease.
And yes, those 'punk' feathers on top of his head probably do look a bit like some of today's hairstyles! hehe. As I've said before, I call Rio my porcupine bird while he's got a headful of prickly pinfeathers. Good luck with your little canary! He should start singing again as soon as he's finished molting. One of these days I'm going to get another of those sweet little songbirds.
Anne
-- posted by AnneWatkins
» AnneWatkins - Re: great article...
In response to message posted by Red:Hi Mary!
Thanks so much for your visit and for your kind comments. Rio and Pancho wish they could meet you too! I'm sure they would be on their best behavior. hehe.
It's been hot and muggy here, and some of the leaves are already changing color! My allergies are giving me fits, but that's par for the course. I hope you and Dwight are both feeling stronger! Take care, my friend. I'll be answering your e-mail soon.
Anne
-- posted by AnneWatkins
» valerie62166 - canary losing all it's head feathers
My canary is suddenly bald! He's beginning to resemble a buzzard because over the past four days has lost most if it's head feathers! Any advice?? And if so...thanks!-- posted by valerie62166
» delr - Re: canary losing all it's head feathers
In response to message posted by valerie62166:Valerie- Re your canary's problem, buy a bottle of wheatgerm oil which also contains Vitamion E and give him two drops a day, one in his seed and one in his water. It is at all pet stores in the bird section and you will see a big difference in a few days. It is sometimes a stress related problem or a dietary difficiency. I have had birds for a very long time and it always solves the problem.
Del
-- posted by delr
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