Typical molting behavior?

[imnotcrazyyet]

My sun is just under 6 months old (hatched 1-14) and is goomg through her first molt. Over the past 2 days she’s gone from a sweet, mostly agreeable bird to a holy terror. I’ve been bitten more times than I can keep track, she attacks my dogs when there close by, and if I happen to be in the way I get broken skin and huge bruises. I am ready to demand a refund (kidding, I think). This behavior sounds pretty close to what I’ve read about hormones, but she’s really young! Also, her feet and cere are flushed. They’re much more pink than normal. What’s going on with my bird?

 

[crazyforfeathers]

She's too young for hormones but molting does bring out the worst in them. Your baby is terribly uncomfortable and is taking it out on her flock. The first few molts would be the most difficult. You can give her relief by offering a bath. The best way is to have a wide, shallow bowl and just play with the water using your hands or face. She may ignore the first few times until she gets it. My conure hates misting and is afraid of it so I personally don't recommend especially since you're still probably building your bond (unless you can she that she is visibly enjoying it).

Don't forget foods that aid in molting Good luck on your new adventure!

PS. As for the pink nares, it's usually a sign of dryness or lack of humidity. Baths here would help. Increasing humidity in your home through indoor plants is always great. As for pink feet, not sure about this. Keep a log on her weight and watch to see if she has any trouble with perching or instability. Anything alarming, contact an Avian Vet.

 

[ChristaNL]

Molting is a very intense and energydemanding proces.
Maybe she is ichting like mad and therefore lashing out?


(in that case spraying of bathing might help out a bit)



No idea where in the US (of A?) you are but I saw posts from others that is is really hot in some places and it affected the birds behaviour as well.
How are you doing surroundings-wise?



I do not like the flushed ceres and feet- idea ... is that all dat long or 'just flares'.
To me that almost sounds feverish - but I am not (or ever was) a sun-owner, so I defer to the more experienced people here for that.
(hormones or not)

 

[BoomBoom]

On pink feet, juvenile suns generally have darker colored feet. To be specific, large, dark patterns on top and whitish-pink solids at the bottom. The patterns get smaller and show more of the white-pink skin as the suns mature, giving the impression of lighter colored feet. There are exceptions of course.


On pink nares, When my sun was your sun's age, he also had much pinker nares (now it's whiter). As in above, it's attributed to dryness. More humidity is not only great for the nares but for the bird's overall health too. Just don't go overboard that you end up with mold issues.


I second offering baths. Quite helpful during the molting process. Keep trying until she gets that baths are fun. Put her toy in there and play with it. I suggest introducing her to showers as well. Take her to the bathroom and let her observe until she gets that showers are safe and fun. Don't take her in until she gets intensely curious. Back off if you see her start to get nervous or anxious. You'd want her to associate only fun, safe, happy things with showers and baths in general. Conures have high water affinity so I think you will see success very soon! Post pictures (and if you can, include the feet)

 

[EllenD]

Yeah, it sounds like the molting is driving her nuts...She's too dry, and needs a bath, which will soften-up the sheaths around her pin-feathers that are irritating her...I don't know if your bird likes baths, but if not, or if it doesn't help, Ecotrition makes a really good molting-spray that you can buy at any Petco. It's made of Purcellin-Oil, which is the natural oil that comes out of their preen-gland, and also has Aloe-Vera and water in it, that's it. So it's a good spray, and it helps a lot in my experience. Word of warning though, SPRAY IT VERY LIGHTLY AND USE SPARINGLY!!! It's a very heavy spray because of the Purcellin-Oil, and you only need a couple spritzes on the pin-feather areas, that's it. So if the baths don't help, I highly suggest running to Petco and grabbing a bottle, I think it costs around $12.