Baby molt or over-preening or combination of both?

[Kyriessaen]

My Congo, Ellie, was born in June of last year so she's coming up on eight months of age now (which is what I have heard is the time for the first baby molt) and I am seeing a lot of fluff on her chest and wings and some pin feathers on one wing. However... I asked this same question on another forum and have been told it's over preening. I have never had a bird before their first major molt, and never had a grey before, so I'm looking for second opinions here.

I have attached some pictures and any comments would be appreciated.

As a note she is going to the vet on Saturday. She was on Baytril for a suspected infection of some sort that the vet didn't know precisely what it was. She's going back for the recheck. If this isn't a baby molt could the Baytril have caused it? Before she went in the first time she had only barely chewed the edges of the feathers on one wing.

As my thread title says, do you all think it's one, the other, or a combo?

 

[Katiejayne]

I'm sorry I can't really help much but I know mine or my mums bird have never looked like this even during a molt. But all birds are different so it could be just molting I'm sure someone with more knowledge will comment soon

 

[Frumpydumple]

Definitely over-preening.

 

[Kyriessaen]

Alrighty. Thanks for the answers!

 

[Zumaria]

Also, what are you feeding her and does she have any sort of draft or fan/heater pointed at her?

Sometimes over preening can be caused by food dyes, such as the ones in the fruity pebbles ZuPreem. Also, if a fan or something is pointing at them and their feathers are ruffling because of it they can be constantly preening trying to get them back in place.

 

[Kyriessaen]

She is eating Harrison's with a tablespoon of Tropimix (what she came to me eating but she's mostly off it now) along with fresh fruit and veg every day.

Ellie does have a low level heat lamp on her cage but there is no fan involved and plenty of space for her to move away from it if she doesn't want to be in the light/heat of it.

Initially before I took her to the vet the first time she had only just barely chewed the ends of the feathers on one wing. After she was put on Baytril it really exploded so I'm not entirely convinced that she doesn't have some sort if yeast infection that is causing her discomfort. But I will hopefully get a better idea when I take her back to the vet on Saturday.

Also, it's odd. I was rubbing her neck this morning and a feather came off in my fingers (I wasn't pulling or using much force at all) and it still had the base attached (but had also been bitten at the end).

To be honest I have a lot of guesses but no real idea so I'm hoping the vet can help.

 

[Zumaria]

Good luck! Keep us posted!