Hi all Zakiya is molting and I feel so badly for her! She is all chewed up looking with little fluffy down coming through and pin feathers everywhere! I swear I could make a new grey with the falling ones! LOL. I have given her a bathing dish, misted and such but she still seems uncomfortable. How long does moliting last? Is it normal to have her looking all chewed up on her back? She is talking up a storm, very affectionate and playful, and eats really well! Any insight is GREATLY appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Sounds like you're doing all the right things, Danielle. Daily mistings and baths help a lot. You can also help her (gently) with the sheaths on the pin-feathers if she'll let you. If they're almost ready to pop, you can carefully roll the sheaths a bit between your fingers to help release them. They can be very sensitive though, and remember that new feathers are blood feathers and you want to avoid breaking them. Some folks recommend misting with water mixed with a bit of aloe juice, but others say that it isn't a good idea because you don't want to spray them with anything sticky. I usually just mist daily with plain water, and let nature take its course. I'm sure it can't be comfortable, but as you say, she's playful and eating well, so it doesn't seem to be getting her down (no pun intended) too much. I'm sure others will be along with more ideas for you, but that's my take on it.

Ruby is a year and a half and she is now on her 3rd molt. Prickly, prickly, prickly pin cushion. I add aloe vera juice (health food store) to her water spray bath. It really seems to help with the itching.

Plain water is probably best, maybe some red palm oil in her food will help. Soon she will have shiny new plumage not to worry about a bit of raggyness.

All I can ad to this is...Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum.
(I don't mean the bird)

When my guys are molting, I use Feather-In on them. I helps with the itches.

BTW: I also sell it. But Jeanne and may others can tell you what a difference it makes, when you use it.

Molting at the beginning of the breeding season? That's most definitely not supposed to happen. Not for parrots anyway, they molt after the breeding season is finished. And the back all chewed up is not normal either... are you sure the bird is not plucking and/or barbering instead of molting?

What?? Plucking or "barbering"?? Oh my gosh! What does that mean? But there is no blood on the tips of the feathers. And Ruby is in her 3rd molt now. I thought for sure she was molting! No what??

Can you actually see the "pins" that are coming in.....is his head covered in them?? Post a picture, if so.

Kasper, my U2 is molting also.

Hi Valerie, Yep, I can see the feathers coming in on her neck and head and chest. They are covered in a white sheath and are hard. I feel so badly for her! I'll try to post a pic. Thank you so much for posting that kasper is molting too! I have been a nervous wreck all day at work thinkg Z is sick (barbering?) or plucking.