Moulting Ringneck

[miki]

I have adopted a 5yrold Green Ringneck named Zulu and he has started to moult. I feel so bad for him as he picks out downy feathers and seems so intent on getting them out. He has lost two of his tail feathers and one of the wing feathers. Can anyone tell me how long this process goes on? I love the way he talks to me even though I know he is not really happy right now.
Thanks for any and all comments.

[Kathy]

My IRN started in the beginning of May and is just about finished. It seems to take him about 2 months from beginning to end. His 2 or 3 year old molt was really extensive.

My guy likes to be misted everyday during his molt. However, there is usally about a week- and i don't know why- he absoulutely does not want a bath or a mist.

I also give him millet every other day as well as more of an effort for more fresh fruits and vegetables.

Also- he does not want to be 'scritched' as much during his molt.

[nailsrglue]

Make sure to bath the bird often to relieve the itchies. There is a dietary suppliment you can get at the petstore that is made for molting birds, maybe several. The molt should last several weeks, since they cannot drop all the feathers at once. Instead they drop a few at a time and drop more when the first few grow back. Its a long process, and can make a bird very irritable. But frequent baths really help.

[catschair]

It takes a while, and ringies can look pretty pitiful during a heavy molt. Lots of protein, TLC and patience are called for!

[red192]

Yeah, my yellow female is a major witch right now thru hers. I think we are the end of it now, thank god! NOt sure if my hands can take another piercing! LOL

[miki]

Thanks for the quick responses. I have only had Zulu for 3 weeks and I am really new at this parroting. I know this may sound rather dumb but How Do I Mist Him?
I have put a shallow flat bowl in the bottom of his cage he showed some interest and walked around the edges, ducked his head a little and then that's all. He has tried to bath in his water cup so that's why I started with the bowl. Today he sat for a few hours on the edge of his water cup and pulled out some down and then tries to catch it before it hits the bottom of his cage. He sits on my shoulder while I clean cages,(I have a canary and 4 regular parakeets), and today I could hear the sounds of him trying to get feathers out I feel so bad for him. He hasn't let me touch him except to step up and then uses my shoulder. I think the touching will take ahile for the ttrust to build.

[christie99]

Get a plant mister (spray bottle) and fill with fresh water. Spray above the cage and let the water filter down onto him. He should love it! They also love going in the shower too. My hen accually flies there as soon as her cage is open.

Be aware, any dyed toys in the cage that get wet will rub off some dye on his feathers. This will make him look tye died, but won't hurt him. Make sure you remove food before misting and put it back afterwards so it doesn't grow mold.

Misting is also great on hot days!!

My hen started molting last week. I expect that she will be done by the end of August, she takes her sweet time about things.

[miki]

Thanks Christie I will give it a try in the morning after he has had his breakfast and I get ready to change out his cage. I have a mister I used for plants and think it will be ok. We live in AZ where the temps are at 110 the past week and more on the way but I have air and I will make sure it's not running at the misting time so I don't chill him.
I really appreciate the help!

[christie99]

Don't make the house too hot, just make sure that the cage is out of the draft. You will be able to tell if he wants sprayed, he will fluff out feathers and hold his wings out to get wet, if he goes away from the spray, then try again later. :)

[catschair]

Your canaries and budgies will probably enjoy the mister too (though my canaries really want to jump in the water, they will play in the mister as well)!