any other macaws moulting?

[mmr]

I live in Indiana (midwest). Is anyone else's macaw moulting? Teal so far has neve been a plucker and I have noticed now 2 little feathers from wings, 1 medium, and last night a tail feather. I am pretty sure he is moulting, but I wanted to see if anyone else's is?

[kellywess]

Mine are... my poor Severe has been molting for the last three months to the point where he started plucking real bad under his wings and on his backend. We were calling him "chicken butt" for awhile. He has stopped plucking and we are hoping that his molt is finally coming to an end. Its been a real "bad" molt for him. The others have/are molting too and not having such a bad time at it thankfully.

[Irish]

At least one of mine always seems to be in some sort of moult. They all went through their really heavy moult earlier this year, though, in the Spring. Man, you would have thought they should be nekkid, the way the bottoms of their cages looked for awhile!

[RomeoBG]

My B&G is just now finishing a month long moult. At some points there were more feathers on the bottom of the cage then on him. In the past two weeks half of his flight feathers have grown back, and for a while he was completely bare at the base of his wings. Right now he's just got several pins on the back of his head.

[mmr]

so I shouldn't be too worried? I have a U2 who is a terrible self mutilator due to past history (vet said she will never stop). So I worry a little more

[KimM]

I sometimes feel like all mine ever do is molt. I'm sure in the northern states its about that time. Elliot is starting now, but he's about a 1 1/2 years and starting to lose that ratty looking "baby" feathers.

[Irish]

Cockatoos are such complex creatures, and relate to captivity in ways often much different than how macaws relate. BGs are usually pretty resilient, adaptable creatures. I'd take a wait and see attitude. Keep Teal on a good diet with plenty of oils, fresh, organic fruits and veggies, all that stuff that macaws need, and give him plenty of showers. Moulting feathers can be itchy/irritating. Frequent showers soften them, and decrease the likelihood of an emotionally and physically healthy bird plucking.

If you STILL worry, perhaps calling your AV would be a good idea. An appointment for tests to see if there are potential problems might be in order, if for no other reason than to set your mind at ease.

[LoveMyBeak]

Hannah has been moulting steadily for the last two months now, she loses about two feathers everytime she does a good preen, I was so proud of her when I saw those two longest tail feathers on the bottom of her cage (now she has two brand new ones poking about 1/2 way out down her tail, she takes real good care of those two,shes really proud of her feathers)
I don't know when she will be finished but she can take her time for all I care......LMB

[wildirish]

Most of our macaws are still dropping feathers. It seems that one molt is tail and wing and main body feathers, and later the other molt is down and tiny body feathers.

As for our Too's, seems almost constant down feather molt, just not heavy.

[mmr]

when I cleaned his cage last night there quite a few of down feathers also.

Diet is very hard, at his old house he ate what they did and that included butter, salt, chips, junk, so he doesn't eat veggies very well unless I would put butter on them (which I don't),mac & cheese, so he eats a lot of pellets, oats, fruit, and an occasional salt free homemade french fry. We are still working on the veggies!