Long Molt Problem

[Phocyn]

I've had Jade for a little under a year and he's been molting half that time. His diet is good, hw gets lots of sunshine and exercise. Aside from his molt he seems in good shape and the vet and his former owners don't seem concerned. I have an aloe spray for him but I am weighing out getting supplements or seeking another opinion. It just doesn't seem normal for a bird to have a three month long molt.

 

[Sunni Tiel]

Bump!

 

[SumitaSinh]

Bump

 

[Phocyn]

I've got Jade some care, but still looking for any advice. Or just a little direction. How long are these molts supposed to take, etc....

 

[Zara]

Looks like he´s been plucking his chest. That´s why you have all that grey fuzz.

 

[Mizzely]

With a molt you don't have those patches of down. I agree your bird appears to be plucking

 

[Mizzely]

As for length of time, birds shed feathers year round, but a couple times a year they do big molts where they seem to explode into pin cushions with feathers every where. Those molts usually also involve wing and tail feathers instead of just body feathers. It can take a while for them to finish that process.

 

[Phocyn]

Could the clip my vet gave him have caused this? He was suddenly rehomed with me too. I got him to the vet for grooming right away. His diet had been changed too.

 

[Mizzely]

Plucking can have many causes

Medical
Pain
Behavioral


If he was used to being flighted and then was clipped, that could have triggered it I suppose, especially when coupled with sudden life changes.

 

[Phocyn]

Thank you all. Taking jade for another exam 3rd of next month.