Posted May 3, 200718 yr hi , everyone can anyone shed more light regarding a budgie's moult? what happens? how long does it last? how regular it is? thanks Cheeky
May 3, 200718 yr Your budgies first moult will be around 12 - 14 weeks (3-4 months old). It can last for about two months (this is an estimation). After that depending on your climate and where you live they can moult 2-4 times a year. Artifical air condition and heating does affect how your birds moult. It is very normal to see a lot of white downy feathers and long feathers in and around the cage. As the new feathers grown in you will see what is called pin feathers where the tip of the feather has a small black sheath like covering on it. This will come off as the new feather will opens out. During a moult you may notice your bird may become grouchy, tend to bite more and itch (it is not uncommon to see them rub their heads on their perches or cage bars). Again this is normal but if you find your bird is lethargic, fluffed up for long periods of time or not able to perch this would be cause for concern and you will need to schedule an appointment with your avian vet. Last update: 2007-04-13 23:49 Author: Elly
May 4, 200718 yr Your budgies first moult will be around 12 - 14 weeks (3-4 months old). It can last for about two months (this is an estimation). After that depending on your climate and where you live they can moult 2-4 times a year. Artifical air condition and heating does affect how your birds moult. It is very normal to see a lot of white downy feathers and long feathers in and around the cage. As the new feathers grown in you will see what is called pin feathers where the tip of the feather has a small black sheath like covering on it. This will come off as the new feather will opens out. During a moult you may notice your bird may become grouchy, tend to bite more and itch (it is not uncommon to see them rub their heads on their perches or cage bars). Again this is normal but if you find your bird is lethargic, fluffed up for long periods of time or not able to perch this would be cause for concern and you will need to schedule an appointment with your avian vet. Last update: 2007-04-13 23:49 Author: Elly Hi Elly, Thanks for the information. I got a budgie he was 12 weeks old when i got him, since then he is moulting. Recently he became a bit aggressive he bites me hard now he never used to do it before. I thought he may be (she - hen) because i read that only hen bites hard. But after i read your note i think he may be still (he) because his nostrils became blue all of a sudden and the rest of his cere is still pink. Eyal
May 4, 200718 yr Can you enlarge the photo. If it's bigger than 450 x 450 don't worry add it as a link or one of the mods will do that. I want a close look at this bird. I suspect a mottle.
May 4, 200718 yr Can you enlarge the photo. If it's bigger than 450 x 450 don't worry add it as a link or one of the mods will do that. I want a close look at this bird. I suspect a mottle. We discussed a feather problem with this bird on another topic you may not have seen Daz here it is http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....topic=14596&hl=
May 4, 200718 yr I am just reading about the mottle in Budgerigar World. It would appear that the birds are hatched as normals but as they moult they turn to a mottle apearance. Apparently it is unknow why. The bad thing apparently is that they don't live long.
May 4, 200718 yr I remember Kaz do you have a picture of the back of the bird and front enlarged but within 450/450 or provide a link. The mottle affects the markings on the back and that would help figure it out :sad:.
May 7, 200718 yr Oh WOW.. from what i can see (although its fairly limited with the small picture) your bird looks rather interesting Hope you are able to post some bigger pictures soon and also include some of him from behind
May 7, 200718 yr I always thought that with mottled budgies, more and more of their feathers grow back white with each moult. From the picture this budgie has lost (either fallen out or plucked) it's coloured feathers leaving the white down visible.
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