when can I expect Ollie's first molt?

08-24-2007, 05:20 PM

I was just wondering when I can expect Ollie to have his first molt? A ball park estimate is all I want.

His hatch date was 1-25-07

thanks!

08-24-2007, 06:22 PM

probably about now, only a juvenile moult, mostly just down and a few body feathers.

08-24-2007, 06:23 PM

I would agree typicaly about 10 months of age they start.

08-25-2007, 12:39 PM

Thanks, I was just wondering because my breeder hacked off both primary feathers down to the bone. Well not actually, but she cut to much off and I want Ollie to grow them back as soon as possible.

08-25-2007, 01:41 PM

I don't think primaries will grow back anytime soon. I think only next year. Now I am not suggesting that you actually go to a vet and get the feathers pulled, but lost feathers do get replaced outside molting season.

08-25-2007, 01:57 PM

so if they are plucked they will grow back out side molting season? I did not know this.

08-25-2007, 04:09 PM

Ollie had her inside flights clipped at 8 weeks of age. I found 1 clipped feather on the floor last night and one this morning which, I believe, means that she has now got all of her flight feathers!! Hooray!! BTW, she turned 2 in May. It took her 25 months. I took her to the vet several months back because I was worried about it taking so long, but all of her tests were normal and the avian vet wasn't concerned at all. She said that all birds molt differently.

08-25-2007, 06:15 PM

Also may depend on the amount of light. I had a budgie right in front of a window and couldn't figure out why he molted so often...too much light.

08-25-2007, 06:42 PM

Ollie is right in front of the living room window and he gets lots of sun in the late noon hours. He enjoys looking out the window and watching other birds swoop by. I had no idea that it could take up to 24 months for primarys to grow back!

So should I just put him under my arm pit and start plucking? Just kidding...

08-25-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreyMiester

Ollie is right in front of the living room window and he gets lots of sun in the late noon hours. He enjoys looking out the window and watching other birds swoop by. I had no idea that it could take up to 24 months for primarys to grow back!

So should I just put him under my arm pit and start plucking? Just kidding...

Why is it so important that he grow them in so quickly? For flight reasons, I'm assuming? FYI, Ollie has been flying with harshly clipped wings since she was about 9 months old. Of course she wasn't the skilled flier she is now, but that wasn't due as much to the clipped feathers as it was to her not being allowed to fledge before being clipped.