First molt

[EmpEro517]

Hello, my little sun turns 6 months old today, and I've been reading that they could start they're first molt around this time. I think Symon may be starting his soon as I've been finding a few more feathers than the occasional one I was used to. Basically what I would like to know is if there is anything I am able to do to help him with his molting process?

[DarwinTheSun]

Yes, there are a few things. First, you can make him more comfortable by giving him more baths or showers (if that is something you guys do). The water will ease his itchiness and he will preen those feathers afterwards. The second thing you can do is help him get some of those hard-to-reach pin feathers around his head. He will thank you for it! Just make sure to massage the pin feather gently so that you don't cause him any pain, some of them are still too sensitive to be picked.

[EmpEro517]

Thank you for your info. Yes he does love to bath. I will let him play under the shower nozzle of our sink about once a week (sometimes more because if he wants a bath he will go to the sink until he gets one) I will up this to around 3 or more times a week. I've also heard that there is a substance you can spray on them to help them to molt easier, has anyone had any experience with any product like that?

[LadyK]

Extra vitamins may help, depending on what you're already feeding him. Molting is a stressful process. Our 5-month old baby CBC is slowly starting her first molt, and definitely has her cranky times. We're giving her lots of things to destroy, fruits and nuts to eat and baths in warm water, and her behaviour (which first seemed suspiciously like PMS!) is improving. Penny had a great time mutilating a chili-pepper on Monday, it seems to give her a huge sense of satisfaction to a) wreck something, and b) spread the wreckage outside her cage as far as possible. Ehn, who am I to judge?