Molting... or something more sinister?

Hey guys,

I'm being my typical parrotnoid self.

I have had Tiki, my 6 year old female GCC for 5 months now. In those 5 months she has only ever shed maybe 2 feathers. And believe me, I've looked for them.

Over the past several days, I've noticed several feathers each day in the bottom of the cage. Maybe 2-3 colored feathers, and 5-8 down feathers per day.

I'm wondering if she could be molting, but of course I'm panicking that she's plucking.

The only thing that has changed in her little life recently is me bringing home Nacho, the Sun conure, who is in a different room. They haven't met yet, but I'm sure she can hear him down the hall. She doesn't really express much interest in him. Sometimes she answers his calls.

She doesn't have any bare spots that I can see. I also can't seem to find any pin feathers except for on her cheeks. She almost constantly has at least one pinny on her cheek. I did notice one more under her wing.

I'm attaching pictures of the feathers I've found. (There are a few more than this). Do they look plucked or like normal molting feathers? It seems too slow to be a molt, but I've never had a conure molt before. I just remember with my parakeets, every 6 months it was like overnight the floor was covered in feathers.

I hope I'm just being paranoid.






Thank you for any input.

Parrotnoid, I like that and I think it's a common ailment for many of us!

I can almost guarantee, all those feathers are due to a perfectly normal, healthy molt. Great photos, BTW. The feather shafts are in tact, they appear to have fallen out naturally rather than being bitten off or pulled prematurely. I think you're seeing the first molt since your GCC has been with you.

Parrontnoid! Love it!!!

Definitely molting don't worry. Espresso's molt is pretty slow and drawn-out as well so you're not the only one.

Thank you both so much! That makes me feel so much better! She has been extra itchy lately... even letting me scratch areas she normally doesn't like.

I mix up a solution of plain aloe and bottled water in a spray bottle to help with the itches.

Bandespresso said:

I mix up a solution of plain aloe and bottled water in a spray bottle to help with the itches.

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I think I might try that... what is the ratio of aloe to water? And it won't hurt her or make her sick if she preens and ingests some of it?

I use three parts water to one part aloe juice. My birds have never had an adverse reaction. Make sure you use only 100% aloe juice with no additives.

I'm going to try this today. Can you find 100% aloe juice anywhere? Or do I have to find one of those special organic type grocery stores?

Most health food stores carry it. I've also found it in Wal-Mart's pharmacy department.

I used a little higher concentration for my CAG just because she has been extra dusty and itchy but 3:1 should be perfect for your conure.

I got mine from sprouts but i have seen it at walmart and even on amazon

What brand do you guys use? I was unable to find any at walmart or my local grocery store. All the ones I see online are labeled "100% Aloe Juice" but they contain citric acid... and they are an actual beverage. Is that right?

Tis the season! Kyo is going through her first molt as well. Mostly down feathers so far. I must vacuum about 20 of them up every few days.

Better to be a bit on the cautious side in my opinion nothing wrong with asking for a second opinion!

LaurenB said:

What brand do you guys use? I was unable to find any at walmart or my local grocery store. All the ones I see online are labeled "100% Aloe Juice" but they contain citric acid... and they are an actual beverage. Is that right?

Click to expand...

I use George's. It's a bit more expensive but only has aloe it. The drink version is the easier to deal with and has less gunk than the gel. Hope that helped!

Thanks! I found it at Vitamin Shoppe near my work.. going to go get it on my lunch break today

My harley is go through his molt. This is week 2. He has a lot of down feathers and is all sorts of itchy and has dander like crazy. I spray him with a bird bath solution that also helps with molting. But I did notice he's missing a tail feather. The feather itself is fine but the end looks like it's chewed. I think he just had a really bad itch. But your little one sounds like a molting vs. Plucking. Sometimes they do get irritable (harley is all 'love me, play with me, never mind don't touch me, scratch me momma, no don't touch me!' right now). So just be cautious. Of course if all else, call the vet and double check. Happy molting everyone!!!

His tail feather he's missing