Molting: how long does it usually take?

[GFGC]

Hey everyone. So my little guy has been molting for what seems like forever but what must be at least a month. I keep thinking he has cleared the hump and then the next morning I'm sweeping up another pile of feathers and more pins are on their way out. It's turning him into a very irritable little beast, at times going back to his previous ways of some really hard biting and, for some reason, pinching a little harder than he has to on his first "step up" out of his cage.

How long does a molt usually take? This may very well be his first one since he's around six months old, if that makes any difference. My girlfriend and I are really surprised at how blue he is turning with all his new feathers. We feel bad about how uncomfortable he must be with all the pins he can't reach, but he's a bit "difficult" to help, lest you risk the beak of doom.

 

[Birdman666]

How long?!

Usually they only take about a quarter inch or so off your finger tip, if you hit one of those nasty pin feathers and the bird turns and nails you with his beak! :11: Don't worry. They do wonders with surgical reattachment these days... Just keep a cup of ice handy when you're grooming your bird...

Oh... Wait.... you meant, how long before the feathers grow back?

Depends on the species.

They're all different.

 

[GFGC]

Sorry, forgot to specify! Green cheek conure. Haha!

 

[Captsteve]

The moulting of any given bird lasts as long as it takes to accumulate enough feathers to completely build 3-4 more birds with a ziploc bag or two of feathers left over.

In more certain terms, until he is good and done! Some seasons will be just a few feathers others it seems they are squawking pillow factories!

 

[Christinenc2000]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3b8LswWO1A"]Sandlot: Forever. - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Birdman666]

Macaws seem to molt enough feathers to make two birds...

No sooner do I get one batch open, than Maggie is another mass of pin feathers...

IT'S RELENTLESS!

 

[Aquila]

I don't think I've really ever "witnessed" a molt, I've only seen the aftermath that looks like a feather pillow exploded.

My GCC had almost constant pin feathers around the top of her head but I never noticed too much else. Give more baths and it should help to soothe the savage beast, and make it easier to preen the feathers because it'll soften the keratin outside.

 

[dhraiden]

Forever seems right. Mochi's been molting since late July, and still isn't done yet. It's definitely different for indoor pet birds versus outdoor/natural kind. Has to do a lot with the bird's internal biorhythms and sunlight. And nutrition. Check this site out, it's been linked to before on these forums:
All About Your Parrot's Feathers - The Causes Of Molt, Feather Problems And What You Can Do About Them