We will not tire of repeating that any pet that we decide to welcome into our home is going to need our time and care, and it must also undergo regular veterinary check-ups because its he alth and well-being must be valued by the corresponding professional.
Birds are no exception, and although by their nature they are not comparable to dogs or cats, the truth is that they need a lot of care and they must also adapt to different life stages where the needs of the bird are changeable.
In this AnimalWised article we talk about molting in canaries, a process that you must supervise as the owner.
The change of the canary
The canary's feathers are structures derived from the skin but are biologically dead, that is, they do not require a blood supply but obviously for this reason they do not have the capacity to regenerate either. That is why moulting is a necessary physiological process that renews these structures so important for the life and development of the bird.
The hours of sunlight and the heat affect the canary's thyroid gland, producing an increase in the hormone thyroxine in the blood, being the biological trigger to start the moult, which will begin to be observed in the wings, later the tail feathers are shed and finally we will observe a massive drop in the chest, back and head.
In the case of canaries, the moult of the first year will not include the loss of all the feathers, keeping those of the tail and those that are on the wings and involved in flight.
How long does the canary molt?
As we mentioned before, the high levels of thyroxine that are responsible for the start of the molt occur when the hours of sunlight and heat increase, since then the feathers become less necessary due to the temperature and the abundance of food available.
The moult of the canary begins approximately on June 21 and will last from 1 to 3 months, the general interval being a duration of 2 months, however, the moult is a very stressful process for any bird and the degree of stress will directly influence the duration of this physiological process.
Feeding during the moulting period
The canary's diet plays a very important role in the molting process, since optimal nutrition will be essential to achieve resistant, shiny and beautiful plumage.
The most important nutrient during the canary's moult is the protein, since they have a structural function (they help to generate new structures) and through them the canary will synthesize large amounts of collagen.
In order to cover the bird's protein needs during this period, we must resort to two elements of great importance for its diet:
- Raising paste with egg incorporated
- Protein-rich seeds (should make up 35% of the diet)
In addition to protein, as we will see below, the canary will also need an extraordinary supply of micronutrients, that is, vitamins and minerals.
Nutritional supplementation and vitamins
The moulting process must be supported through a vitamin complex that also incorporates minerals, for this we must choose a product specifically indicated for the moulting period in canaries and follow the dosage recommended in each case.
Finally we must mention that during this process we must take extreme care of our canary since stress increases and this leads to a decrease in the defense system.
However, by following the appropriate steps we can guarantee a he althy molt, the absence of song should in no case worry us because it should because testosterone levels are low during this process.
