The Conure Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbooks) by Anne Watkins

Author:Anne Watkins [Watkins, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Barron's Educational Series
Published: 2015-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Normal Changes

Conures go through normal, natural changes such as the molting of old feathers, on a regular basis. Their beaks may flake and peel, and the toenails grow long. These are the normal processes of a healthy conure, and are not signs of illness or disease.

Molting

Conures shed their feathers once or twice a year during a natural occurrence called molting. This gradual process is the replacement of old, worn feathers with new ones and may take several weeks or longer to complete. A few feathers at a time will be shed, so that the conure doesn’t have bald spots or lose too many feathers at once; shedding only a couple of wing feathers at a time ensures that wild conures never lose their ability to fly.

Molting usually takes place at about the same time each year. It’s not unusual for conures to look a bit rough or scruffy during a molt. The appearance will return to normal as soon as all the new feathers have grown in and the old, shabby feathers are replaced.

During the molt, it’s important to be sure that your conure gets plenty of baths. Without enough moisture, feather sheaths can become very dry and hard and the feathers inside may not develop properly. Affected feathers might not unfurl as they should. If you notice more than one or two odd-looking or deformed feathers during a molt, have your veterinarian check for signs of illness. Dietary problems can also cause feather abnormalities.

Blood Feathers

A conure with a head full of blood feathers, or pinfeathers, looks a little like a porcupine. The new feathers grow encased in a hard, white keratin sheath and are very sensitive. A blood vein running through the sheath nourishes the growing feather and as the feather develops, the outer sheath dries and flakes off.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.