upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

Yankee is really into his first molt. His old feathers don't fall out like they do on my p'let or lovebirds. The ones on the wings seem to "hang" out of place for several days before they finally come out. I think that part of Yankee's temper problem is that they bother him when he catches them on something.

My BIG question is whether it would be better if I plucked the ones that are jutting out at unusual anges and causing him distress? Would he see me as the enemy? Could he get any meaner? There have been about 4 of these in the past few weeks.

How long will his first molt last?

Hi Cathy,

Please don't pull them out. It can be painful - even though they look like they are ready to come out. Give Yankee lots of showers (even twice per day would be O.K.) and that will help a lot with his new feathers. He will probably have to preen more after the showers so maybe he will get rid of the old ones faster.

Watch him though and examine the old feathers - are they all in one piece of are parts chewed off? Jamie did something like that last year. At first, I thought she was molting or playing too hard but then I found out that she was chewing on them to the point that they were sticking out.

It's normal for them to be grumpy during this time so don't take any attacks to personally


Kate

Thanks, Kate. His feathers appear to be all in one piece. I don't blame him for being cranky, it looks painful! I haven't been bathing him because we have had a cold spell and this weekend, we have been without water. Hopefully, someone will come to look at our well and pump. Nothing ever goes wrong during the week, it is always on the weekend and this weekend was a holiday, so...

Thank you for the advice, I really appreciate it. Cathy

oh yeah feathers that are almost ready to fall out do stick out. Lola has a flight feather ready 2 fall out and when she's done flapping, its all sticking out, out of place.. I go to touch it but she freaks and tries to bite me. So yeah they are painful and she'll have to remove it herself.

Mika is in the midst of her first big molt, too. She is a little cranky but lots of baths and some time to rub on a towel helps with the ichies. She is just starting to let me help with the new feathers on her head and neck. Sparky's first molt was longer and more intense than his subsequent ones. I think it lasted about three months. We're at two months and counting for Mika. She's done with most of her tummy feathers and a fair portion of her back. Her tailfeathers and flight feathers are currently growing and her feathers on her head and neck are abouth halfway done. Sparky helps her a little with the new feathers but is more interested in her preening him. LOL! Hang in there, the grouchiness will pass.