When do Suns start molting?

[sunnyhoney]

Does anyone know at what age or time frame that suns will start to molt? Also, what are some things I should expect or be prepared for? Any ways that help in the molting process?

[ObsidianPhoenix]

From my experience, right around 6 months or so. I have no idea what to do to help, but I know that my sun is molting right now and she is a bit reserved about getting scritches these days because she is sensitive to the touch.

Get the vaccuum ready, as they will start falling out rapidly.

Let her do her own thing that makes her comfortable. If that is coming to you for a lot of scratching or she wants no touching, let her decide.

Phoenix is ok with perching on my shoulder and my finger, but if I try to pick her up, she gets a bit irritated.

But the good thing is that a lot of green will come out and be replaced by the start of the adult coloring. It takes a few molts to get the true adult coloring, but you will see the beginnings of the coloring when the first molt hits.

Hope that helps!

[jenniferag]

I've heard around the spring is when a lot start to molt... find some posts on here about blood feathers and pin feathers.

You should be prepared if a pin feather breaks and what to do to pull it out if you have to....also how to stop the bleeding if it does happen... there is some good information about that on here.

[sunnyhoney]

O goodness... I am so scared thinking about a broken pin feather...... What if it happens when Im at work? or .....omg.... Im getting so nervous now.... Definately going to start reading about it....

[jenniferag]

No you'll be totally fine!! No stressing!

I can't help but chuckle though because you sound exactly like me! I was supr stressed out about every little thing when I first got Jeremy.... I would rush to work to ask more questions and now after being on the board I feel much better.

There always is a possibility it could happen while you're at work, but I'm under the impression that it doesn't happen that often.

I'm also waiting for my bird to molt and had a lot of questions about it.

I think in the bird board discussion section I asked about molting too and one person actually posted some pictures about what pin feathers look like and they also posted some videos you can watch online when something happens. There was a whole first aid series that helped a ton!!

People here are SO nice and they will always answer questions!

I'll find that post and send you the link so you can read it.... it's really good.


Here it is!!! Found it! I hope this works for you.... I got good answers here....

Question about Conure molting?

[xafsmom]

Blood feathers really aren't that common. If it happens, pull it out and the danger's over. Believe me, the pain of pulling the feather won't even be noticed while you're panicking, because the bird will already be amped up with your emotional status.

Molting will happen in the late summer/early fall, also in the spring. It's not a sudden event and can actually take months for a molt to complete. Your bird might be cranky or ignore it completely, it's individual.

One thing you can do is preen your bird's head for him gently. Not only is that huge for bonding with your bird, it's very appreciated.

[hollyhawkz]

I grabbed this from the internet as well. We save every feather from our baby so does Valo's Moirana.LOL We have a couple zip locks full now. I'll post another one for blood feathers....


Bird lovers enjoy the companionship of parrots. However, they can also be frustrating to care for because they have such complex needs. Caring for a pet parrot is time consuming, especially when they begin to molt. Trying to cope with a molting parrot can be challenging. Your bird becomes moody and you are constantly cleaning up feathers throughout the day. A little patience and understanding can make things easier.


Step1
Be patient during this time. Parrots molt once a year, usually around the same time. Make peace with the fact that the molting process can take a while. The larger your parrot, the longer you must cope with a molting parrot. Parrots usually molt only a few feathers at a time so that their ability to fly is not affected.

Step2
Preen your molting parrot. If you have two parrots you don't have to worry about this because they will usually preen one another. Preening is the process of removing quill feathers in order to make way for new feathers to grow. Your parrot can do most of her own preening, but might need help around hard-to-reach areas like the head and neck to cope with molting.

Step3
Spray your parrot with warm water daily. Molting can be a very itchy and uncomfortable experience for parrots, leaving them irritated. The warm water spray provides your parrot with the extra moisture needed to prevent feather sheaths from drying out and becoming hard, which keeps new feathers from growing in their place. It also helps relieve itchiness, which will help you cope with your molting parrot.

Step4
Increase protein in your parrot's diet. Feathers are mostly made up of protein. Adding protein before and during molting can help her grow new feathers.

[hollyhawkz]

Blood feathers... (thank god it doesn't happen often)

On occasion, a blood feather will break and start to bleed, or it may accidentally be cut when the wings are trimmed. In a healthy bird, a broken blood feather is usually not a life-threatening emergency if appropriate steps are taken. Even if the bleeding stops quickly, however, you may wish to have your bird examined by a veterinarian, and have the broken blood feather removed. Even if the blood has clotted, broken blood feathers are often removed so they cannot be reinjured and consequently bleed. If a broken blood feather is removed, a new one will start to grow.

If a blood feather is repeatedly injured, continues to bleed, or the bird has a medical condition, such as liver disease which can affect the clotting ability of the blood, a significant amount of blood may be lost. This is an emergency situation, and action must be taken quickly.

If there is bleeding from a blood feather:

Restrain the bird.

Apply pressure to the broken shaft with gauze or a cotton ball. Cornstarch, flour, or preferably a commercial "quick-stop" powder can be applied with the cotton ball to help the blood to clot.

If the feather continues to bleed, it will need to be removed. If you have not done this before, it would be wise to call and talk to your veterinarian who can walk you through it. Removing the feather is best done using a tweezers (for a small bird), hemostat, or needle-nosed pliers. The feather should be gripped close to the skin and pulled quickly and firmly in the direction the feather is growing. Pulling out a feather will cause pain, so be sure you firmly, but carefully, hold the bird. If it is a wing feather, support and immobilize the wing to keep it steady during the procedure. Do not jerk on or twist the feather.

If bleeding occurs from the follicle after the feather has been removed, continue to apply pressure to the area for several minutes.

When the bleeding has stopped, return the bird to his cage, keep him quite, and monitor him for bleeding for an hour.

If the feather broke off below the skin line, the feather cannot be totally removed, or pressure has not stopped the bleeding, the bird should be immediately examined by a veterinarian.

Also consult your veterinarian immediately if your bird appears weak or there is excessive blood loss.

How can you be prepared?

Bird owners should be prepared and knowledgeable about how to manage a broken blood feather. A hemostat, cotton balls, and "quick-stop" powder should be included in the bird's first aid kit. The next time your bird is in for a check-up or wing trim, have your veterinarian show you how to remove a blood feather. Being prepared for this emergency will make it easier for you and your bird, should a broken blood feather occur. If you trim your bird's wings, examine each feather closely before cutting, so a blood feather is not accidentally cut.

[guest1717171]

ive kept everyones' molted feathers (not the down though)
ive also been sticking the big ones in this cork board that is over the 'bar' in my trailer...
im trying to really drive home that crazy bird lady persona
LOL

[UnPoquito]

I have a new Sun Conure, and he's molting right now. He's 6 months old. He has pins on his head and face, and has lost a few feathers. He seems to really appreciate a good misting every day.