The Moult

Introduction

All birds moult, but why do birds moult?, what is the purpose of it?, how often do they moult?, these are just some of the questions people ask about moulting, so on this page, we will try to explain moulting in as much detail as possible. 

Types of Moult

There are only two types of moult, the first being a partial moult, and the second being a complete, or full moult. The complete moult is sometimes referred to as a French moult, but nonetheless, it is still just a complete moult. A partial moult is where damaged, old, or lost feathers are replaced. A complete moult is usually the annual moult, where all the feathers are replaced at the same time according to the seasons. Imagine wearing a winter coat in the summer, or a summer coat in the winter. 

Why Birds Moult

The reason why birds moult can vary. In certain times of the year, birds will moult out old feathers, and replace them with new feathers. Usually, birds in general will moult once a year, but some species will moult twice a year. Throughout the year, damaged, or lost feathers are replaced with new feathers very quickly. These feathers being replaced are usually detrimental to their survival, such as flight feathers, feathers which help with camouflage, keeping warm in colder seasons. It is important to note that many birds will pluck their own down feathers, to help with incubation during the breading season.

Dangers of Moulting

You're maybe wondering why would there be any dangers during a moult? Well, most birds will usually be at their lowest point, making them susceptible to bacteria infections, protozoan and other parasites because their immune system will often be functioning not as well. This is why it is very important to make sure that plenty of good rich nutrition, and minerals are provided to help with the moulting process. 

If the bird is going through a heavy moult (losing many flight feathers at one time), then it will affect their flight, which makes it much harder to escape predators. Remember, not all captive birds are caged, some are kept outside in pens.

Diet vs Moulting

Diet plays an important part of moulting birds, with incorrect diet/nutrition feathers may not develop properly. Feathers may grow brittle, deformed, incorrect size and even discoloured. Avian vets often check hold a bird up, to check their feathers, to determine if they have been deprived of nutrition or minerals. 

Most diet, or deficiencies will show up in the feathers since their last moult. Feathers are kind of like records, you can examine them to check for dietary issues since their last moult. Some birds may suppress their moult if there is not enough nutrition or minerals available to them, this can have serious future health implications.

Common Issues During Moulting

As mentioned above, incorrect diet, or minerals being available to them. Random room temperatures, windy environment, dampness or wet conditions, moulting whilst being sick or stressed, kept in a dark environment or lack of natural sunlight, overcrowded environment, now enough cage space, poor sanitary conditions, and breeding whilst moulting.

Although there are many other common issues which can occur during moulting, the above are the most common. 

How Long Does The Moult Last

Generally, depending on the species, a moult can take as little as a few weeks to a couple of months. Some birds which may have underlying issues may get "stuck in the moult", this can happen for several reasons, genetics, changing temperatures, humidity, stress, dietary problems...

I have known some birds to begin the moulting process, halfway through they became stuck in the moult. They did not complete the moult until the following year, when their natural moulting processed started again, in which their moult finally finished.

Treatments and Preventatives

In reality, there are no treatments for moulting. Moulting is not an illness, it is part of the natural shedding process, which usually happens yearly. Most, if not all, birds will go through it at some point in their lives. The only preventatives are to make sure the environmentals are kept perfectly for the species of bird you are keeping. Make sure the bird has everything it needs to complete the moult in a de-stressed environment.

Age vs Moulting

As birds get older, their moult sometimes may not complete properly, or even after their moult has complete, the feathers may still look a bit tatty. Much like any other animal, their body slowly breaks down with time. Nutrition intake may become limited, feathers may become dull looking, or less vibrant. It is the winding down process which comes with age.

Often balding may be observed, poor flight, because the bird has grown fewer, or weaker feathers that can not support the bird during flight. It does not matter if you supply enough nutrition, or minerals, or even if the conditions are perfect, the feathers may not grow properly simply due to age.