Conure molting???Please answer!

PenguinAndPickles · Feb 20, 2013

I went to go check on my 5 month old conure after school, and his stomach is almost bare! The feathers on his back are coming off. He is eating normal, his water is changed every day, poo is normal. We recently got a quaker, whos cage is in the same room, could that be stressing him out? If he is just molting, anything I can do to help him molt faster? Also, how many times does a conure molt in his/her life? just wondering, Please answer!!!

Heres pics

Flickr: MrPicklesIsMyBaby's Photostream

Birdlover11 · Feb 20, 2013

You can't really make a molt go faster ,just make it more easier for the bird. Do you see any pin feathers on his head or body ? I don't think during a molt the whole chest is exposed. I think she is most liklely plucking. Can you post a picture ?

BoomBoom · Feb 20, 2013

5 months is right about the time they start molting, perhaps a bit early. My sun conure didn't start till his 6 or 7th month.

Looking at the pictures, it doesn't look like molting to me. Even at my sun's heavies molt, he never got bare in a wide area. Maybe a few bald spots on his head where the feathers are more sparse.

Did that happen in just 1 day? If so, it is most likely plucking. He could be stressed from the presence of the new bird, or for a different reason.

PenguinAndPickles · Feb 20, 2013

I did post pics, they are in the link. Could a bird pluck his whole stomach over night? I am really worried about him!

Echo · Feb 20, 2013

Yes it does look like plucking. My birds are molting now and I will find little feathers everywhere, but I couldn't tell you which feather belongs to who because none has bold spots. Except for my Grey who is a plucker.

The new bird might stress him out a bit, or try adding a bit of humidity to the room. New growing feathers tend to be a bit itchy and depending where you live, the dry winter air might make it worse. Does he have access to a bird bath of some sort? Do you spray him?

PenguinAndPickles · Feb 20, 2013

Whats the best way to stop him from plucking?

Echo · Feb 20, 2013

PenguinAndPickles said:
Whats the best way to stop him from plucking?

It's difficult because you first have to find out the reason behind the plucking. First, the recommendation is to see a vet who can make sure that it isn't any sickness/poor diet by doing some blood work. If all comes out clear, you need to observe him and see if you can gather any clue of why he would pluck: time of day he plucks, is the quaker near him when he does, is he bored, jealous, nervous etc.

What works best for my Grey is using the Sock Buddy.

Mudkips · Feb 21, 2013

Pickles is plucking himself I'm sorry to say.

The cause of this could be any number of things - sometimes it's an easy fix and other times it's all up to the bird to do the healing and you only do your best to help.

Have you moved Pickle's cage since you got him?
Is Penguin housed in the same room?
It may even be as simple as the bright paint colour you have on the wall.

But whatever the reason, we should let you know that right now is the time of year for conures to molt. And they do it twice, sometimes three times a year before a change of season. His plucking could be triggered by his first molt, but there's no way to know for sure.
You'll know when he's molting by the abundance of pin feathers on him - most noticeably on his cheeks and neck.

Best of luck!

nicolee003 · Feb 21, 2013

That's for sure plucking. You getting a new bird and having it in the same room is most likely the cause

MonicaMc · Feb 21, 2013

It's highly abnormal for a parrot under the age of 1 year old to be plucking, but that's what Pickles is doing.

Considering he's a hybrid, there is a small chance that the plucking is related to that fact.

First and foremost, you need to take Pickles to an avian vet to rule out medical problems. This will require blood work, fecal gram stains and possibly more than that.

After medical issues have been ruled out, you can then work on behavioral problems.

Birdlover11 · Feb 21, 2013

PenguinAndPickles said:
Whats the best way to stop him from plucking?

I would entertain him in as many ways as possible. Plucking is a sign of bordem. Buy him toys, spend more time with him. Any way which you could entertain a child. And sorry, didn't see the pic link

also agree with Monica , take him to the vet for some tests to make sure he's not sick

Abigal7 · Feb 21, 2013

PenguinAndPickles said:
I went to go check on my 5 month old conure after school, and his stomach is almost bare! The feathers on his back are coming off. He is eating normal, his water is changed every day, poo is normal. We recently got a quaker, whos cage is in the same room, could that be stressing him out? If he is just molting, anything I can do to help him molt faster? Also, how many times does a conure molt in his/her life? just wondering, Please answer!!!

Heres pics

Flickr: MrPicklesIsMyBaby's Photostream

I hate to say it but he is probably plucking. My conure is molting right now and has on the back of her head a little bald spot. I noticed a new tail feather today. I suggest you take Pickles to the avian vet just to make sure there are no health issues.

KiwiDaConure97 · Nov 19, 2017

Yeah, sorry to say, that's not molting, that is 100% plucking. When did the plucking start? When quakers moved in? If that is the case, try moving quakers into a different room. We give my Conure some time near a window for sunlight and he finds it enjoyable, so try that. Instead of trying to figure out why your conure is plucking, seek medical attention, but if it is not illness then again, try moving quakers. If moving quakers doesn't help, then you need to try more things, is your conure eating pellets? Conures eat pellets, not seeds. So if your conure is on a seed diet, then try switching it to a pellet diet.

Hope this helped :3

Have a Wonderful Birdy Day :blue1:

:red:

Flboy · Nov 19, 2017

KiwiDaConure97 said:
Yeah, sorry to say, that's not molting, that is 100% plucking. When did the plucking start? When quakers moved in? If that is the case, try moving quakers into a different room. We give my Conure some time near a window for sunlight and he finds it enjoyable, so try that. Instead of trying to figure out why your conure is plucking, seek medical attention, but if it is not illness then again, try moving quakers. If moving quakers doesn't help, then you need to try more things, is your conure eating pellets? Conures eat pellets, not seeds. So if your conure is on a seed diet, then try switching it to a pellet diet.

Hope this helped :3

Have a Wonderful Birdy Day :red:

Great advice, but one small problem. Thread is 4 Years old!😊

Conure molting???Please answer!

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