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Post by Patty, Lucky's mom on Sept 9, 2017 14:44:13 GMT -5
Hi!! We've had Lucky bird since the summer of '06 when he flew out of the woods chased by a hawk, and landed at the feet of my friend, our four dogs, and me. It was like a scene out of a Disney movie. The hawk landed in a near-by tree to see if he still had a chance of catching lunch. He didn't Lucky was way too smart for him. He took his chances with two humans and four dogs and it was the winning choice.  He's banded, and I do think he was young, and after I exhausted my options for finding his owner, he became part of our family. I think I may have frequented this community when we first adopted him, but eventually, I lost touch. He's been a healthy little guy and easy to care for, but lately I've been concerned. I noticed he was molting several weeks ago when he lost a few long tail or wing feathers, but at some point I also noticed some of his back feathers sticking up in the air giving him a ragged look. This is something I don't remember ever happening. Do Quaker's molt back feathers? If they do, how long does molting take? It's been a few weeks already. I have no vet in the area, and given how attached Lucky is to his cage and how reluctant he is to being held, I'm hoping finding one far away and getting him there isn't something we'll need to do. He acts normally otherwise, puffs up and naps when he usually does, eats normally, and is active during the same times of the day as always. He doesn't go to the bottom of the cage, but whenever I see him quiet and puffed up, now, it doesn't seem as normal to me given the appearance of his feathers. I've searched and searched and can't find any information on the duration of molting or whether or not back feathers go through the process. Should I be worried? I'm hoping fellow owners can share some wisdom.... And thanks!! So good to have a community for support!! : )))) |
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Post by cnyguy on Sept 9, 2017 20:30:29 GMT -5
Welcome-- or, welcome back. There's really no specific time frame for a parrot's molt. My QP Ralph molts slowly and gradually over a period of several months. My CAG Scooter seems to be following a similar pattern. My old Amazon George used to molt twice a year, for about six weeks at a time. Long-lasting molts aren't uncommon. All of any parrot's feathers will be molted sooner or later, including back feathers. They aren't typically molted all at once, but it is possible for a large area to be molted. If you suspect that Lucky may not be going through a normal molt, then a vet visit might be a good idea, in spite of the inconvenience. |
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Post by easttex on Sept 10, 2017 10:55:05 GMT -5
Welcome back, Patty and Lucky!
I agree with cnyguy. All of the parrots I've had did pretty episodic molts throughout the year. Never very obvious until the pin feathers came in, aside from all the feathers at the bottom of the cage. It might be worth your while to get him vet-checked. The only time I could really see obvious areas of feather loss was when I first got my grey, and she was plucking her breast. It was just her contours, so it wasn't down to bare skin. Lucky might just be molting, but if he isn't, he might be plucking and the earlier you can catch it, the better.
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Post by Patty, Lucky's mom on Sept 12, 2017 11:09:54 GMT -5
Thank you easttex and cynguy!! I appreciate your replies. They're reassuring, actually. My main concern is that it's taking forever for some feathers that are sticking up on his back to either lie flat or fall out. I'm not sure whether they're coming or going!! : ) I like to think the area looks a little better, but it may be wishful thinking. If it's not better, though, it's not worse either. It's unchanged. As I write this, he's happily navigating his food dish, and he's been acting normal in every other way.
It's not inconvenience that's stopping me from taking him to a vet. I'd really like having the peace of mind that would come with a vet visit. It's a fear that I would actually lose him.
Since the time we've found him, he's terrified of boxes... boxes of all sizes and shapes. He screams if you bring one into "his" room, and he even screams if you carry one past the room. He seems to have a sixth sense, and he's terrified. Really, he's not afraid of anything else this way. We think he must have had a terrible experience involving being confined in a box before we found him.. or rather, before he found us.
I have a carry cage and a carry case that I optimistically purchased when he became part of the family, but given his fear of being handled and of anything that's reminiscent of a box, I've never attempted to use them. I'm literally afraid his little heart would stop with all that would be involved with a visit to a vet.
Also, I should have explained that there are vet practices near-by, but they don't have people on staff who specialize in birds, and my experience in taking other kinds of animals to them has inspired little faith. When I first found Lucky, I did call the vet to make an appointment, though, and his advice was if he's not acting sick, don't bring him in.
However, I realize I have to weigh the risk, and if I see any other behavior changes in Lucky, or if the area of feathers begins to look worse, I'll have to look at all our options of who's available where, and we'll have to take the chance.
Thanks again for your reply.
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Post by julianna on Sept 12, 2017 14:46:56 GMT -5
Hi Patty.... his molt sounds normal to me. Oscar will loose feathers (one on each side within a day) and his tail feathers as well. He will regrow the tail feathers quite quickly and then another two will fall out. Those pin feathers sometimes need a little help. If you can pet him try to squeeze one of the pin feathers. If it is dry enough you will feel it crumble in your fingers. Do not twist it... just squeeze softly. If the pin feather is not dry enough... he will let you know cause it will cause him a little discomfort.
When my Oscar gets them on his head... they can stick out for weeks before I know he wants them squeezed. It does give him a little relief as you can imagine. Pins sticking into your skin... owwwwww.
It does take a while for the molt to end... just be patient and it will all pass. I know what you mean about not having an avian vet near by. Neither do I. I must travel 3.5 hours to take Oscar for a yearly check up and thank goodness I have not had an emergency yet. If you cannot get to an avian vet... the other vets I do not think... will help much.
Oscar is terrified of boxes as well. Some parrots love to crawl around in them... but not my little one. He will scream at them. I find the best way to transport Oscar is to hold him on my finger. First I got him used to being in the vehicle... in and out... then we went for little rides... and then the big ride. He does travel quite well. He ate and drank and pooped a lot... so that was good.
Lucky sure is lucky to have found you.... bless your heart.
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Post by easttex on Sept 12, 2017 15:27:42 GMT -5
Feathers not lying flat sounds strange. My grey has one on her head that sticks up, and the new one that comes in always sticks up, too. But if I were looking at a whole bunch of them where they were normal before, I'd be a little concerned. Feather problems are often related to nutritional issues, but not always. Perhaps you could talk an avian vet into consulting with you over the phone. Telemedicine. Have you you tried to train Lucky out of his fear of boxes/travel cages? The recent hurricane activity reminded me that you never know when you might have to grab and go. |
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