Gouldians

[RonNe08]

How long should it take my gouldians to complete their first molt? I have 4 beauties phineas,pherb, mercedes, and peaches. phineas is the farthest along he is going to have an orange head the others seem so far behind him. they were all purchased at the same time. it doesnt seem like they are all the same age. Any help would be appreciated.

[christie99]

I noticed that even with my first batch of chicks that I knew were all the same age, they moulted at a different pace. I would say it took them about 2-3 months to complete their molt. Keep in mind, they are loosing every feather and replacing it, that will take quite a bit of time!

[cozyparrot]

Even same clutches sometimes moult at different rates. It's hard to remember exactly when my last babies began getting a few red head feathers signaling the beginning of their colors but I think it was 4-6 months of age.

Gena

[RonNe08]

thanks for your help. i did not know that birds born in the same clutch could molt at different rates. they are all happy eating playing. their colors are coming in beautifully. it is a pleasure to watch the transformation. now i'm not so worried i know a ballpark figure i can watch out for them. i read somewhere that birds can get stuck in a molt and that is not good for them.

[christie99]

As long as they have pleanty of good foods, iodine available and low stress, they should be fine. I supliment liquid iodine when my birds are molting and keep powdered kelp available at all times for them to pick at.