Molting - twice before 6-7 months old? (319 views)

[redqueen]

I have a concern about my 'tiels molting pattern. I didn't think much of it at first, but now I'm doubting if this is normal. Our 'tiel started losing a lot of feathers when she was about 4 months old, so we assumed she was molting. But it only lasted about 2 weeks, with a max total of 4 weeks if you include fully growing in of new pin feathers. Now she's about 6 - 6.5 months old and is molting again. Losing way more feathers this time. Last time she had 3 flights grow in, now she's lost at least 4 more, and two new ones are growing in. She also lost two tail feathers recently, and didn't lose any during the last molt. She started this most recent molt about 3 weeks ago and is still losing lots of feathers. What happened the first time she was molting? Was this some kind of "abbreviated" molt? Is this normal, a "short" molt at 4 months and a bigger one at 6 months? Her diet hasn't really changed, except that she started eating more pellets on her own, though we've always offered them. There hasn't been any stress to interrupt the first molt. I can't think of any significant changes from when we got her.

[Casey]

some birds molt at intervals like that. i find my birds will molt a lot of feathers for a few weeks then stop and start again another time. especially those baby feathers. its normal for some birds. unless you note signs of illness, i wouldnt be too worried about it. dally molted the very same way, molted around 3.5 months old and again around 6 months. i find my tiels still molt like this and it seems normal to me and have never had issues. if they lost all their feathers at once, they'd be like hedgehogs with all them pins!

[redqueen]

That makes sense mine is a pin-cushion right now anyways hahaha. Thanks

[Casey]

not a problem