In all birds, especially cockatiels molting start at the age of 6 to 12 months. In this process, cockatiels remove their old feathers, 2 to 3 times in a year in order to get new feathers and maintain the health of new feathers. Usually the molting period consists of two periods in which cockatiels remove old feathers and get new feathers in one year.
Molting time usually lasts for 10 weeks. Spring is the most suitable season for molting. The time for molting depends on the climate in which the cockatiel is living. If the climate is hot, then cockatiels will prefer to molt at the start of the year.
In this article I will tell you:
- What is molting ?
- What to expect from cocktails when molting occurs?
- Which time is suitable for cocktails during molting?
- What is abnormal molting and its symptoms?
- Friendly asked questions
Let’s start without wasting time!
Molting
Molting is the natural process in which old feathers are shedded and new feathers take the place of old ones. Like other reptiles, molting occurs in birds. Molting is necessary for birds. It occurs every year to replace old and damaged feathers with new ones. It keeps the plumage in the right position and shape. It will increase the cockatiel efficiency in flying, regulate the body temperature and protect themselves from predators.
Fun Facts
As a cockatiel owner for 8 years, here, I will tell you catchy fun fact about molting of cockatiel:
- Removal of old feathers naturally is known as molting. It takes place three times a year.
- Frequency of molting depends on the health of cockatiel species.
- Autumn and spring are great seasons for cockatiels to molt. But, your cutie cockatiel can molt anytime in the year.
- Cockatiels appear ruffled during different stages of the molting cycle. This cycle continues for several weeks.
- If extra feathers are lost during molting, then it is a health issue and you should immediately consult a veterinary doctor.
When Do Baby Cockatiels Molt?
In baby cockatiels, molting starts when it turns into an adult. It is the first sign that indicates the adult age of a baby cockatiel is starting. New feathers have gray or white color that will differentiate the male and female cockatiels. The plumage of an adult cockatiel is more colorful and shiny as compared to the baby cockatiel.
Usually, the first molt takes a lot of time. The time for getting new feathers also varies among cockatiel species. In some cockatiels, molting starts at the age of 6 months, but in some cockatiels molting starts after the age of 1 year. During molting, first cockatiels remove their tail feathers, then their body feathers and at last wing feathers are removed.
What Time of The Year Do Cockatiels Molt?
The best time for molting is the spring season. Warmer temperature will activate the shedding of feathers. During summers, feathers start shedding off. Molting can occur anytime, but it rarely occurs in the winter season. It depends on the climate in which your bird is living. Keep your cockatiel in a control unit to control the temperature of their body. Under normal circumstances and warmer climate, cockatiels easily molt up to more than four times in a year.
What To Expect From Cockatiels During Molting?
Molting makes cockatiels irritable. A lot of energy of cockatiels is utilized in removing the old feathers, shaping the new features and sharpening them. During molting, cockatiels become lazy, inactive etc. As a cockatiel owner, you will see few common things occurring during molting such as:
- Pet cockatiels show aggressive behavior during shedding of feathers.
- Their sleeping time increases. They sleep around 15 to 16 hours including naps.
- When molting occurs cockatiels stop flying because their tail and flight feathers are shedding.
- Bare patches are formed on cockatiels body.
How Can You Help Cockatiel During Molting?
During molting, cockatiels show aggressive and rude behavior. As a cockatiel owner, I will tell you a few things that will make your bird feel better and you can help your cutie pie in molting.
- It is very useful to give warm mist baths to cockatiels. Warm mist bath is helpful in removing the pin feathers. It will soften the sheath. So,cockatiels can easily remove feathers.
- As an owner, you should trim the beaks and nails of cockatiels. It will prevent the featherless area of cockatiels from scratches.
- If you are a good cockatiel friend, then you can help your bird by removing the feathers by gently rolling up. Ensure to handle feathers gently. If your bird hurts, then avoid rolling up feathers.
What To Feed Cockatiels During Molting?
Keratin is a protein from which feathers of cockatiels are made. So, when molting occurs, it is better to add protein in cockatiel food. It includes egg shells, pellets, seeds, supplements etc. It is better to add nuts and seeds to a cockatiel to boost energy for molting. Avoid low protein food items to cockatiels.
Balanced diet is necessary for cockatiels during the molting process. As, it will provide sufficient energy. Unbalanced diet leads to chronic and painful molting and difficulty in shedding of feathers.
Is Molting Painful?
No, molting is not a painful process. If the molting process doesn’t occur, then it will lead to irritation among cockatiels. When their feathers are not shedding and growing more, then it will lead to itching.
What Is Abnormal Molting?
Any process that occurs unexpectedly during molting is known as abnormal molting. Abnormal molting occurs when your cockatiel is stressed, sick or has any health issue. As a cockatiel owner for 8 years, I will tell you some symptoms of abnormal molting.
- Plucking of feathers
- Bald spots
- Decolourisation of feathers
- Features do not easily go away
Frequently Asked Questions
In Which Seasons Do Cockatiels Molt?
Molting seasons vary among cockatiels. Usually cocktails molt during spring season. When temperature rises, cockatiels are ready to molt. Some cocktails have the ability to molt many times in a year. Sometimes partial molting occurs in cockatiels.
How Long Does a Cockatiel Molt Last?
Cockatiels molt last for 7 days according to diet and bird species. But, some cockatiel species take three months or more to molt. If the feathers of cockatiels shed more, then, it is a concern. More shedding of feathers leads to chronic molting. Furthermore, the long length of time is not of concern.
Do Cockatiels Molt In The Winter?
No, cocktails do not molt in the winter. A rising temperature is necessary for cockatiels to get ready for molting. Birds prefer molting in spring season. It is very rare that molting occurs in the winter season. But, some birds have the ability to molt in the winter season.
What Activates Cockatiels Molting?
Hormones activates cockatiels molting. Molting is activated by hormone levels of cockatiel, which in turn affected by temperature and light. Due to dependance on light and temperature, there is a significant difference in molting between wild and pet cockatiels.
Conclusion
Molting occurs naturally. It is the most important part of the cocktail development process. It is better to seek advice from experts about molting. It is quite an easy process. If the feathers of a cockatiel are shedding more, then it is better to keep your bird to the veterinary doctor. It is better to give a warm mist bath to your parrot. Keep an eye on your cocktail to be aware of chronic molting. With proper care, treatment etc you can prevent your cockatiel from chronic molting.
If you have any query, text me in the comment box, I will reply to you soon.
Thanks for reading!
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I’m Amna, and I absolutely adore birds, especially parrots. I’ve been immersed in the world of these colorful feathered friends for over 10 years. While I’m not a bird doctor, I’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge on how to care for and understand them.
My experiences extend to various bird species like parrots, macaws, cockatoos, canaries, and finches. In addition to my personal adventures with birds, I’ve dedicated time to volunteering at a local bird rehabilitation center.
My true passion lies in sharing what I know about parrots and birds with you. Through my articles, I aim to share the information you need to provide the very best care for your avian companions. So, let’s embark on this journey together and make your feathered friends’ lives as joyful and healthy as possible!