Feather Health Question

[Daneguy]

Hi all,

I have a question about feather health and moulting... My tiel Louie is about 1 1/2 years old... He's got an awful wing clip, very uneven and ragged. I've only had him for 2 months but he's broken 4 blood feathers in that time. One required a rush to the vet. The broken feathers don't happen from frantic activity, one happened just with some active wing flapping.

My questions are... would this bad clip job contribute to the higher incidence of broken blood feathers? Does a tiel have a full moult only once a year (my finches do a full moult once a year), and will either a full moult or maturity improve his feather quality? I feed lots of veggies, hard boiled egg, beans etc... along with a very good quality pellet, and some seed.

This varied diet has always worked well with my finches in terms of quick moults and sleek tight feathers. I'm not as familiar with tiels in this regard and hoping for some advice!

[xxxSpikexxx]

I think that the bad clip job does have something to do with the broken blood feathers. If the wings are clipped wrong there is not much protection for the new feathers growing in. Don't forget to give some extra warm misting baths to help him stay comfortable during his molt. It sounds like you are giving a good variety of foods to your tiel :) Here is an article about molting http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/care/molting.html Hope this helps :)

[Daneguy]

Thanks very much, it helps alot - the article is excellent. I will increase baths/misting, and keep on with the beans, eggs, etc to maintain a good protein source. He's not in a moult right now, or if he is, it's very slight, but I'm hoping a full moult and correct wing clip afterwards will make him look and feel alot better!

Randy

[xxxSpikexxx]

Your welcome :) Glad I could help, Iam sure once he molts and gets in his new feathers he will feel alot better :) Spike took forever to finally keep his tail feathers :p

[Daneguy]

Spike looks wonderful - that sleek, tight feather look that I'm hoping for. I guess I just wanted to make sure I was doing all I could... so time will tell!

Thanks again!
Randy :-)

[Sophia]

They will look better in time! :D You are giving him the right diet so, there shouldn't be any problems! :p

[Bea]

It definitely sounds like you're doing everything right for him! :D I'm sure he'll look sleek and shiny in no time.