Tail Feathers

[StacyB]

Do they replace these?

[jimleasure]

???

[StacyB]

LOL sorry...

Kiwis tail feathers are messed up...I was wondering if she would lose these ones and get new...or if they will just always be messed up.

[Jean]

When it's time for Tiki to molt her tail feathers nature will take care of that. As long as she is happy, healthy and has adequate play space and toys she should be fine.


An active parrot (or) one with two small a space can easily give their tail feathers a beating. They will replace themselves when it's their time to molt. As long as they are not broken or hanging I wouldn't worry about them. If a feather is hanging partially broken you may have to clip the hanging part off.



Even Elvie's tail gets a bit ratty at times because he plays so much and crawls into small spaces to play.

[StacyB]

Her cage is big enough for her. She does play rough. she likes to hang up side down and swing and climb up and down the outside of the cage.

She does have a couple that snapped in half. I will clip the rest of those ones off.

Thanks...I just feel bad her tail looks like that

[Jim]

Young macaws haven't figured out the long thing back there gets messed up nor do they care. It's actually a good thing, it tells you the bird is active. Showers or a good misting will help the feathers go back to some what normal. I wouldn't worry about it, look at it has a good thing.

As my birds got 1+ years they became vain about their tails. It's a natural thing, feathers need to be in good shape for a number of reasons, so they take care of them.

Personal choice here but if the feather isn't bothering Kiwi I wouldn't cut it. They need to learn to take care of feathers. We humans seem to have this mind set that we need to fix very thing for them. We DON'T! It's better for them to grow up knowing how to do this stuff.

[StacyB]

Ok...well its been broke for awhile and I havent touched...I wasnt sure I should.


Good I hope she learns to take care of herself *giggle*

[parrotgirl]

Buccs tail was in a real mess a little while ago, looked like I had cut them off he had a lot missing, Now after his moult they have grown back lovely.

[StacyB]

good that gives me hope!! thanks so much you guys~

[Shirley]

Yes - all good answers! Over the course of two years, they'll molt everything, never all at once, and the new tail will be brand new! One feather at a time, though, not all at once.

[StacyB]

Yes - all good answers! Over the course of two years, they'll molt everything, never all at once, and the new tail will be brand new! One feather at a time, though, not all at once.


ahh see and I was thinking it was once a year.

[Shirley]

Check this thread out in Dr. C's Exptertise:
http://www.thebirdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4044
It covers everything from broken feathers to molting and the science thereof and FOOD for us humans -- it has a lot of facts and will keep you laughing all at the same time! :funny:

[Jim]

Shirely wrote:
it has a lot of facts and will keep you laughing all at the same time! :funny:
Shirley :lol_hit: You'll be laughing all right, at me is what she's saying.:funny: Well laughing with me really.:D

[Shirley]

Nuh-uh-h-h! Not at you! At how crazy it all got and all the food.. :rofl: :help: