At what age an Electus start molting

[solrac13]

My Ecky has some new feathers growing on the head, I noticed when wet after a shower

 

[solrac13]

Well I think i answare my own question, so around 6 to 7 months!

ECLECTUS MOLTING INFORMATION


Here is an overview of molting and how to help your Eclectus during a molt.

AGE OF FIRST MOLT
Eclectus usually start their first molt around the age of seven months, but perfectly normal birds of this species begin their first molt both earlier and later. If a bird is healthy, the age at which the first molt begins is nothing to worry about.

ECLECTUS MOLTING PATTERNS
Generally speaking, Eclectus lose and re-grow new feathers continually throughout the year. The smaller feathers of the head, neck and body are molted earlier, but the large flight feathers of the wings and tail are not molted until the age of twelve to eighteen months. Thereafter, the large tail and wing feathers are molted symmetrically over a period of months during two heavier seasonal molts. Unless they are accidentally lost, each wing and tail feather is replaced only once yearly. We might see some variation in molting times and patterns as the molting cycle appears to be influenced by environmental factors, particularly light.

MOLTING SYMMETRY
Birds are programmed by nature never to lose so many feathers at the same time that their ability to fly is compromised. Flight capability can mean the difference in life and death for Eclectus in the wild. A primary feather lost on one wing will be matched by the loss of the same feather on the other wing within a few days. This keeps their wings aerodynamically sound. Often birds molt almost imperceptibly -- dropping feathers gradually until one day, you suddenly notice that the bird looks brand new.

FEATHER QUALITY
Post-molt feathers are stronger than the original baby feathers, perhaps because the baby feathers must be flexible to accommodate conditions in the nest. Also, young birds are clumsy and as they learn to climb and fly, the feathers take quite a beating. Because neonatal feathers are soft and flexible, they don't break as often as one might expect.

MOLTING COLORS
It is normal for the feathers of a molting bird to show several different shades of color since the bird has old dull feathers, new bright feathers, and gray down feathers showing through all at the same time. You will be able to see lots of pin feathers when the molting bird is wet, and once all of them have grown in and opened, the bird will be evenly colored again.

THE "MOJO" MOLT
There is a little-known molting pattern that we call the "Mojo molt", named for Lynn Oliver's male Eclectus, Mojo, who was the first Eclectus that we observed with facial and neck balding during the molt. In this pattern, Eclectus experience varying degrees of baldness of the face, head and neck area when molting. The majority of Eclectus molts do not include balding, but new owners need to be aware of this pattern to prevent worry. We have compared dietary information of birds that occasionally molt in this pattern and found no correlation between diet and the Mojo molt.

DIET FOR MOLTING BIRDS
Since molting can be stressful and uncomfortable, some birds experience a decrease in appetite. However, an increase in metabolism to accommodate the production of several thousand new feathers can cause an increase in appetite. Whether they lose their appetite or eat more during the molt probably depends on their comfort level. Molting birds benefit from more quality protein in the diet which can be provided in the form of well done eggs, well cooked meats and seafood, as well as cooked beans and rice, which together form a complete protein. Nuts provide additional protein and the good fats needed to create strong and lustrous feathers. This is a good time to grind and sprinkle flax seeds over the birds' food. Hemp seeds also provide beneficial oils and the essential fatty acids (EFAs) necessary to produce quality feathers.

BATHING DURING THE MOLT
Bathing is especially important during molting when birds sometimes feel itchy and uncomfortable as the new pin feathers break through the skin. Keeping the skin and feathers hydrated is helpful and Aloe Vera spray from distilled aloe without additives helps to hydrate skin and feathers and prevent itching. A daily soaking bath is helpful along with spritzes of water or aloe spray between baths. It is easier to see new pin feathers emerging if you first wet down the feathers so check for new feather growth is after a soaking bath.

REST AND SLEEP
Make sure that molting birds get lots of rest. Cover the cage for ten to twelve hours at night and if the cage is in a noisy area, provide a smaller sleeping cage in a quiet room. Molting birds sometimes are uncomfortable while being handled because of multiple pin feathers breaking through the skin, so handle with care.

THE OVERDUE MOLT
Parrots in the wild experience seasonal fluctuations in temperature and light which signals the onset of molts. In captivity, we have relatively constant light levels, photo periods (hours of light), and temperature. One of the main reason for the delayed molt of indoor birds is the low level of light which actually describes most indoor lighting. To encourage an overdue molt, increase the level of light and the length of the photo-period. Increase the temperature, provide daily baths, enrich the diet and minimize stress.

Carolyn

 

[MikeyTN]

That's when they get their adult plumage! As to most birds molt around the same period to get their adult plumage.

 

[Anansi]

Thanks for all of that info on the eclectus molt, Solrac13. I have a young eclectus as well and tghe information you provided is actually rather timely. (Bixby is approaching 6 months.)

 

[solrac13]

Thanks for all of that info on the eclectus molt, Solrac13. I have a young eclectus as well and tghe information you provided is actually rather timely. (Bixby is approaching 6 months.)

Try to take a look when he has his head wet, thats how i found out mine is starting to molte

Any way my boy is only been here 8 days and he is very timid and silent, I get to make him stand on my hand but he is not confortable and shakes

Hope he becomes more relax and feels at home as that is not the current situation with this bird boy!

I worry he may be sick, by looking at him so quiet and refusing any food that comes from my hand

 

[Anansi]

I worry he may be sick, by looking at him so quiet and refusing any food that comes from my hand

Young birds in a new home very often refuse food offered from the hand. But if you want to rule out sickness, best thing to do is to weigh him daily. Best time is in the morning, right after his morning dropping, but before his breakfast. Compare that weight to where he should be for his subspecies and age, and then continue to observe in the days that follow for any significant fluctuations. Also, sick birds usually puff themselves up to both appear larger for potential predators and to help conserve their body heat.

If you see either the puffing or significant weight loss, you should get him to the vet right away.

 

[MikeyTN]

To me ekkies are rather quiet most of the time but they can yap on and on once they're adjusted to their surroundings. And like it was said above, it's not unusual for them not accepting food from hands right away. To rule out any sickness, he should visit a vet anyways for a good check up.

 

[solrac13]

Thanks for sharing
Well to start with. he is new in a new surrounding and he misses his sister and brother, also the weather here in south of china has dramatically changed so we went from real hot to very cold this last days

He those makes noise especially at night time when we are all in the living room with tv on, and as he hears all kinds of noises then he makes his sounds too

Unfortunately there is no an avian vet in this area so I just have to try to do my best for the best

His weight is so far ok! Even do he does not like veggies and fruits as much i ill like him to!

Thanks ones more

 

[drlisaort]

Thank you for the informative post on molting!