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Post by birdiegirl on Sept 17, 2018 2:41:22 GMT -5
Hi everyone! Just checking-in about a recent thing I've noticed. In the morning there seems to be more tiny, fluffy downy feathers at the bottom of his cage. I am used to seeing maybe 2 or 3 little feathers but now there are about 10 or more some mornings. There's also a lot more "dust" as well. Birdie is coming up to a yr old now and otherwise seems fine. Any ideas? I haven't seen any signs of plucking as yet but was worried maybe he was doing it in his cage when I wasn't looking? It is springtime here in Australia so that may be another possibility?
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Post by dinucci on Sept 17, 2018 4:59:06 GMT -5
Just going thru a molt. Buddy went thru his 1st molt at 9 months..but it was just a small one with progressively more fluffies each day. Now he's just finishing up a full molt at 1 1/2 years. I wouldn't be concerned about plucking as this is normal. Plucking has more to do with behavior issues,actually ripping out feathers indiscriminately in patches. Buddy did have an episode of that,but luckily, it seems to have passed as we've taken a lot of different measures to change not only his behavior, but ours too. So rest easy !
You may want to offer him a daily bath as he will probably want one more frequently.
I mix bath water with a half cup of aloe juice to 1 gallon..helps to soothe his skin. Using non clorinated water,and having a mist bottle with the same solution to mist him on occasion as well..
Misting over his head with the fine spray dial you will find that he will probably like that. Buddy points his head twards the ceiling and closes his eyes..looks like a little angel!
During dry / low humidity seasons,I keep a warm mist humidifier under his rope perch and he sits up there like it's his own personal spa!
Hope this helps! Keep the hand vacuum handy !
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Post by biteybird on Sept 17, 2018 5:49:59 GMT -5
Hi, again!  I agree with Dinucci. It's just a moult. Our Bonnie has lots of little downy feathers floating everywhere around the cage (we are also in Australia). If Birdie was actually plucking you'd know about it. As Dinucci said, Birdie would benefit from regular baths or mists to keep the dust down. It's funny about the downy feathers...have you noticed they're really clingy? They stick to everything! It's kind of cute.  |
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Post by birdiegirl on Sept 17, 2018 5:58:26 GMT -5
Thanks Dinucci and Biteybird! Yes, these downy feathers are very clingy. I have invested in a hand-held mini vacuum cleaner which comes in very handy at the moment. Dinucci, Buddy's "spa" sounds wonderful. He obviously loves it. I take Birdy into the shower with me every day and he gets a lot of humidity from that. Sometimes he likes to join me under the water, other times not. He has a bath every 2 or 3 days. I will consider getting a humidifier for his room as well.
Dinucci, I am very glad that Buddy has stopped his plucking !
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Post by zim on Sept 17, 2018 6:54:04 GMT -5
With two small birds, I get overrun with these downy feathers. I could probably start a small downy pillow factory.
I exaggerate, but yeah they can make quite a few of them!
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Post by graciesmom on Sept 17, 2018 19:44:31 GMT -5
Gracie lost what seems to be quite a few feathers (fluffies and regulars) last week. For the past week or two,the top of her head and now back of her neck has little quills she doesn't want me to touch. She looks a bit rough but otherwise appears happy and healthy. Breeder said she is just growing new feathers. Thoughts anyone?
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Post by cnyguy on Sept 17, 2018 20:47:11 GMT -5
It seems like Gracie is going through a big molt if she has lots of pin feathers coming in. That's not a bad thing. Extra baths or mistings can help soften the quills. It's too bad Gracie won't let you help with her new feathers. Down feathers are typically shed all the time and not only during a molt-- but birds lose more of them when molting. They do tend to stick to things. I've left the house with down feathers in my hair, on my clothes and shoes... and they're on the furniture and I've even found them in my food.  |
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Post by graciesmom on Sept 17, 2018 22:03:31 GMT -5
Thank you! I feel better now. I hope the little quills hurry and sprout! They must be uncomfortable for her. I like the little fluffies and was actually sad to see them go.She likes to pick them up and chew them, then brings them to me😒. After reading above posts, I need a handheld vacuum cleaner! I've been sweeping up her fluffies and end up chasing them around the room in the process!Clearly I have much to learn! What must she be thinking watching me chase her fluffies?! Don't tell me.. I think I know...😆
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Post by dinucci on Sept 18, 2018 1:01:10 GMT -5
I have found a use for the fluffies. .I told budz that there is nothing wrong with these and that they looked fine. .so i gathered a bunch and "dusted "him with them while he was sitting on his t stand. He crouched and whipped his head around real fast,snapping at them as they floated down..hilarious..sometimes he makes it too easy to tease him a little ..ya know?
Wish I could get him to get in the shower too,but he doesn't like that,or sitting in the sink under running water. They're all different in the way they like to bathe I suppose,but that would make it a lot easier!
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Post by graciesmom on Sept 18, 2018 9:02:29 GMT -5
Awesome idea! Lol! Their sense of humor and choice of when to show it cracks me up!
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