I hope this makes sense

[Xoetix]

I think Isadora is finally done molting.

She's got a number of feathers though that have grown in and opened at the end, but the sheath is still covering half or more of the feather.


You can see it on one of her French fries there. DoI need to do anything to help with that or will it open up on its own?

To add, she gets a bath usually every 10-14 days.

 

[April]

I think Isadora is finally done molting.

She's got a number of feathers though that have grown in and opened at the end, but the sheath is still covering half or more of the feather.
View attachment 426545

You can see it on one of her French fries there. DoI need to do anything to help with that or will it open up on its own?

To add, she gets a bath usually every 10-14 days.

Ooh look at those crispy fries! . They should eventually open on their own but I'd she'll let you there's no harm with helping.

 

[Deleted member 57370]

I'd definitely crunch them lol it's hard for birds to get head feathers without preen freinds

 

[Mizzely]

Scratching keratin sheaths off a bird's head is the best thing ever you can kinda use your thumb nail to do it while supporting the feather with your index finger. If it's not ready she'll let you know

 

[April]

Scratching keratin sheaths off a bird's head is the best thing ever you can kinda use your thumb nail to do it while supporting the feather with your index finger. If it's not ready she'll let you know

I loved doing that for Zazu's feathers. She was the only one that would really tolerate and love me doing it.

 

[Mizzely]

I loved doing that for Zazu's feathers. She was the only one that would really tolerate and love me doing it.

Jingo and Koopa were my only two

 

[haze]

This happens with my tiel’s crest feathers as well, it is harder for them to preen themselves on their head. It will eventually come off on its own, but helping her out will probably be a relief for her! I have also seen people say that if your bird does not like to be preened by humans, you can help them by misting them with water, it will soften the sheaths.

 

[Deleted member 57370]

I used too. So fun mine loved. But now that they are preen buddies with each other they let me know I'm crap at! Ta-dah still let's me tho

 

[Xoetix]

I miiiiiiiight be the reason the ends opened up to begin with

I love doing it, it's intensely satisfying. I just wasn't sure if it was OK to get all the way down or if I was supposed to let it go the rest of the way on its own.

We both enjoying "crunchy" time

 

[melissasparrots]

I'd help her out with them. If I get busy and don't do Ariel's crest feathers, they can get mostly grown in with just the very ends opened up. In the wild, she would have a mate to help her out with those. You get to fill that role. This is why I don't trim my finger nails too short.

 

[WillowQ]

Make sure the crest feathers are completely hardened before you clean them up.

 

[Shezbug]

I think Isadora is finally done molting.

She's got a number of feathers though that have grown in and opened at the end, but the sheath is still covering half or more of the feather.
View attachment 426545

You can see it on one of her French fries there. DoI need to do anything to help with that or will it open up on its own?

To add, she gets a bath usually every 10-14 days.

They will eventually open up on their own but I vote for helping her majesty so she has a full box of fancy head chips again!
Birdie has a pile of these right now but every single time I try to help him with them he gets excited and does this stupid exaggerated head nodding thing which scares the crap out of me as I nearly remove the feather I am trying to clean up from his head lol. They are driving me crazy!!