questions about molting,scratching&tail

[tamfromtn]

I got my new tiel wed. First time owner with a couple of questions. My daughter picked him up for me so I didn't see him first. She asked do you want a pretty bird or a friendly bird? I told her a pretty friendly bird, but if I had to choose a friendly one is what I want. And that's what I got. They told me he is molting that's why he looks the way it does. I'm new to this and didn't even kow about molting (city girl). How often do they do this? What concerns me is his tail feathers. They are short and raggedy, not like they are just falling out. I read if you clip the wings to early this will happen. I'm wondering if they will grow back? He is also scratching alot. I put a bird protecter in his cage but it hasn't helped. Any thoughts on these problems?

I should mention he is 6 months old, I named him Ace. He's really friendly. Most of the time I just have to open his cage door and he will come out and climb up my arm, he even gives kisses. Today he was on the floor and climbed up my leg. Seems smart.

Tammy

Tammy

[Lori~D]

First off welcome!! Next, go get that bird protector and toss it quick, they are more dangerous than they are a help. The stuff in the is no good esp after you cover the cage at night. If you think he has mites then get him to the vet for much safer quicker acting meds. You should get him in for his first check up anyhoo. His tail may just be messed up becuase some breeders keep them in smaller cages nad babies arent to good at keeping themselves nice anyway for awhile. If his wings were clipped to early then when he tries to fly you will see he kinda goes backwards and yes, that will ruin a tail but its most likely he is just coming from too small or crowded of an invironment or another baby picked at him. His tail feathers will get better after he molts and this will happen about every six months or so. Misting and bath will help with the itching which is most probably from the moulting as well. Mites would cause some other crusties in places you would notice like around his nose and eyes and under the wings and there may be redness with mites. You can make a one to one dilution of aloe vera juice and water to help him thru his molt.
Sounds like you got a sweet baby. Go toss that bird protector NOW!! then you can do some more research on them online and you will see all the negatives about the use of them.

[tamfromtn]

Thanks for the advise. I feel better. I will remove the bird protector now.

[Ashling]

wow! Nice advice huntress! lol