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Birds--General/Molting Parakeet?
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Question
I have a ringneck parakeet approx. 5-6months old. I can't remember exactly. As of lately she has become very scruffy looking. She eats and drinks fine. Actually she eats alot if you ask me. I quess my question is, at about what age do parakeets begin to molt? Through reading other postings and my own guessing, I think this is what is making my beautiful bird look more like a bum than a beauty queen.
Hi, AJ. Thanks for posting.
Parrots molt for the first time at about 6-7 months of age, then again at about 12 months of age, then once per year after their first year.
If molting, you should see 1 or 2 feathers on the cage bottom or on the floor regularly. Parrots replace every feather on their bodies, but over about a month's time, give or take a week or 2, depending on the bird. Therefore, you shouldn't see massive amounts of feather loss. As new feathers grow in, they will look like pins coming out from between other feathers (the new, growing feathers are wrapped in a white colored sheath of keratin).
Chrys
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Answers by Expert:
Chrys Meatyard
Expertise
I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.
Experience
Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.
Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.
Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.
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