Molting, how much does it affect attitude?

Taprock · Mar 6, 2016

Ziggy is molting heavily now. He's a big shedding mess with new tail, wing and body feathers coming in. He does not come out of his cage or trust handling normally but he likes scritches and his face rubbed. The past week since he has been regrowing his feathers he has been a big grump. Biting and screaming and back to not trusting me. I know his new quills can hurt and it takes a lot to regrow feathers but I wasn't sure about the big attitude change. Does that sound like a molting side affect? Or just a set back with his trust issues. This is our first time at a parrot molt so we have no idea what his normal is.

plumsmum2005 · Mar 6, 2016

Hi Ziggy doesn't sound a happy chap does he. He's probably just not very comfortable at the moment.
He's not in a very warm room is he? Certain conditions such as changes to lighting, length of day, temperature and diet may influence the endocrine system to send a message to the body to start molting feathers.

As he is suffering a heavy molt he needs a nutritious diet, particularly quality protein, calcium and Vit A as well as good lighting. This is required to grow properly.

If you consider this to be unusually heavy it is probably best to have him checked by your AV.

Taprock · Mar 6, 2016

We have only had Ziggy a month and a half. We don't think he came from a good situation. He eats all day (supermen pellets and seeds mix, won't do fruit or veggies) only stopping for an afternoon nap. He is in a spot where he doesn't get direct natural light. The feathers he is losing are pretty best up so I think a molt is in order but we just have no idea what to expect from him. He hasn't had a vet visit mainly because he freaks out being handled or outside his cage.

DexMom · Mar 6, 2016

They can pretty grumpy during a molt, it's pretty uncomfortable for them. How is he about bathing? Bathing will help soften the sheath on the pin feathers growing in and help him to get them opened easier. If he won't bathe himself, a daily misting might help him feel better, which should improve his mood.

Birdman666 · Mar 8, 2016

Hard molts make some of mine VERY grumpy, and very defensive about being touched.

Others (Maggie especially) are the complete opposite. She wants me to start opening pin feathers for her and goes poofy... and starts begging behaviors.

NOT my CAG. HANDS OFF! I HAVE PIN FEATHERS... PICK ME UP, BUT DON'T TOUCH ME!

Molting, how much does it affect attitude?

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