Yarak
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Whosoever would be a man must be a nonconformist
Posts: 145
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Post by Yarak on Apr 21, 2005 12:12:14 GMT -5
I think she will not keep that pace. As more feathers begin growing the demand for blood goes way up. In order for them to grow properly they have to stop dropping for awhile . This allows the new group to get all the blood they need for full development. I guess its like drop a bunch wait till those are mostly in then drop a bunch more etc. Its a little worrisome for me because we only get one shot a year to produce healthy plumage. IMO feathers ARE the most significant aspect to the birds flight and flight efficiency. They also tend to reflect on the level of husbandry given to the bird.
Yarak
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Post by LeeSlikkers on Apr 21, 2005 12:20:11 GMT -5
Well I guess I’m more hopeful for a COMPLETE Molt over a fast one. On her last hunt of the season Zuri got dragged down into a stump pile and during the who rabbit duel and the dragging out process she tipped the 2nd & 3rd primary on her right swing. Lost approximately 1 ½” off the tips of both of them. I’ve read and heard that if your bird doesn’t molt cleanly these 2 feathers are the most likely to be retained so I’m really crossing my fingers this summer that things will all work out in the end.
Lee
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Yarak
Junior Member
Whosoever would be a man must be a nonconformist
Posts: 145
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Post by Yarak on Apr 21, 2005 12:34:50 GMT -5
Their have been more years than not of making a "complete" moult. Bane shows some wear on a few primaries as well. One is still malformed from the remnants of WNV. I feel hopeful it will drop but if the folicle has been permanently damaged it will always produce a malformed feather. I am right there with ya. I have flown her with feathers still in blood because I cannot wait another week or two to start. I have seen no stress marks due to weight reduction. I am only speaking of one or two feathers being more than half way down. I have asked her repeatedly to expedite her moult but all I ever get is an "I want to eat you" look and the middle talon!
Yarak
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Post by LeeSlikkers on Apr 21, 2005 12:42:46 GMT -5
LOL, eat you indeed...I've seen the same look.
I'm not sure if this is related to the topic or not but I’ll go ahead and share my experience anyway. Every morning before I head off to work I wonder over to the mew window to check on Zuri. I have been using a soft greeting whistle when I approach and she has come to recognize it before she even sees me and will often fly to that window perch in anticipation of me showing up. About 2 weeks ago she started turning her head completely upside down when I show up, sometimes from one side and then to the other…I began to mimic it over the last few days and she continues to greet me this way on a fairly regular basis. I figure it might be some visual sign of her bonding or accepting me a bit more…so last night on a hunch I picked up a long thin twig and slid it through the bars and held it about 10” from her while she sat on the perch. After looking at it curiously and turning her head upside down again she hopped over towards it, leaned forward and took it from my hand and placed it beneath her feet and played with it for a few minutes before finally becoming bored with it. I imagine she saw it as a gift for “nest building” or something but regardless it’s been kinda cool seeing a softer side to her, once that I RARELY if ever see while in the actual mew with her. She is merely tolerant of me then… ;D
Lee
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Yarak
Junior Member
Whosoever would be a man must be a nonconformist
Posts: 145
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Post by Yarak on Apr 21, 2005 16:24:33 GMT -5
She is lulling you into a false sense of security! Biding her time till you least expect it then....POW! Give it another 2-3 weeks and she will change yet again. Right now she is all about reproduction, soon that will be supplanted by brooding (though she has not laid). I predict she will return to her crabby self as this change accurs. Bane's softer side is the difference between granite and diamond. Its great swapping stories keep posting how she is doing.
Yarak
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Riker
Junior Member
Posts: 150
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Post by Riker on Apr 21, 2005 18:00:40 GMT -5
we gave all of our birds the wnv vacine today. if it effects the birds like it did last year they will all start to drop feathers very fast and prob molt twice!! (we had 4 birds do that last year!! so we will see..
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Post by Weasel on Apr 24, 2005 16:08:30 GMT -5
Lee, I have seen this upside down head thing many times in different raptors. I have been told by several falconers that it is because they have two focal fovia in their eyes and by turning their heads upside down, they can get a better view of close up things.
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Post by frootdog on Apr 24, 2005 19:53:49 GMT -5
I went to get my bird out to wiegh and hunt on Sat. and she had dropped the deck feathers, and a few down feathers. I got my tailmount back now. I fed her up to her trap wieght of 1400 gr.
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Post by Weasel on Apr 25, 2005 8:48:45 GMT -5
Wow....He finaly stops hunting for the season  ;D |
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Post by frootdog on Apr 25, 2005 17:13:35 GMT -5
Albeit she really left me no choice.  |
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rt
Full Member
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Post by rt on Apr 26, 2005 17:39:34 GMT -5
Sheba is dropping feathers like crazy I bet she will be done in august.  |
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Riker
Junior Member
Posts: 150
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Post by Riker on May 6, 2005 10:27:42 GMT -5
My mrt finally started to drop feathers today!! went out this morning to look in on him and he left me a present. let the game beging i hope from here on out he will go at a steddy pace
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Post by TReilly on Jun 7, 2005 19:49:34 GMT -5
Gentlemen ( I use this term loosely )
Does anyone use artificial light to help speed the molt or bring it on ? I have heard that increasing the length of light exposure will do this.
Tim
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Yarak
Junior Member
Whosoever would be a man must be a nonconformist
Posts: 145
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Post by Yarak on Jun 7, 2005 23:00:50 GMT -5
Yes I too have heard that. The most recent evidence points to lengthening photo periods as significant in triggering the moult. I have never seen a benefit from this, therefore I don't use it. Hormonal changes play a large role in the moult as well. Great diet and access to fresh water and sunlight and you should have clean moult regardless of species.
Yarak
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Post by frootdog on Jun 7, 2005 23:24:47 GMT -5
I believe you can start the molt sooner with art. light, but I don't believe it will cause the time frame to decrease. In other words you can start the molt in april if you like, but it will still take a few (3-4)months to complete. And then you start hawking when it's hot as hell, cover is heavy, and baby season is in full swing. I have heard of people (Mike McDermott in particular). Starting the molt on eyass sharpies in Oct and finishing it out by spring so that when the big guys go up for the season the little ones can hunt all summer. It's a pretty cool concept that I will try one day when I get a Sharpy. It is also a good way to go If you don't have time to fly 2 birds at the same time. You get your eyass in spring after the season is over train and fly it until oct, put it up for the molt, get out the HH or RTH, fly until may and get the sharpy back out. I see no reason this would not work on other birds of that type, IE coops, kestrels, merlins, etc.
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;D