[jodeg]

Libby, my Pineapple Green Cheek Conure, just turned five months old and has recently started molting.

Up until today, she's been acting normal. Today, however, she seems less active to me. She ate her food this morning and took a bath at noon. Usually, while we're eating lunch, I let her out of her cage so she can play on her playstand (on top of her cage) for a while.

She came out for a while, but then went back into her cage and went into her daytime sleeping tent! She's never done this (gone back in on her own) during playtime. I got her out and held her for a few minutes, but I could tell she wanted to go back into her cage. I put her back and she went back into her tent.

Usually she's very active, playing all the time, whether she's in or out of her cage, and when I'm holding her, she wants all the attention and affection she can get!

I've had many kinds of birds over the years, but I've never owned a Conure. Is this normal behavior for a Conure and a first-time molt -- that's she more quiet and less active? Or should I be concerned?

Thanks for your advice -- I just want my baby to be healthy and happy!

 

[jodeg]

Well, maybe I jumped the gun a little! She's much better this afternoon -- eating, drinking, playing, just like normal. I started her on some molting food (Featheriffic) to help her along.

My husband and I always take a nap after lunch (and the dogs), so it gets real quiet around here for an hour or so. I think she's learned that and was going to take a nap too, so got into her daytime sleep tent.

I'll keep a close eye on her of course, but right now, I think the molt is causing her to be a little less active. Right now, she's doing fine!

 

[Jenny]

Mine get cranky and lazy when they molt, especially if it's a particularly nasty molt

 

[jodeg]

Thanks! I got worried when I saw her acting like that, but now she's back to her normal, playful, curious, loving self -- THANK GOD! I guess she can have "naptime" too!

It's a good thing she's back to normal, or her little butt would have been whipped to our avian vet tomorrow! Good thing I never had any children! I'm nervous enough over our dogs and the birds!

I'll still be keeping a close eye on her though -- for sure!