With long tailed shamas, many things can go wrong during the growth of the pair of longest tail feathers:
1) Fret lines indicate insufficient intake of food during the period they were formed (this can also happen to short tailed birds).
2) Wavy tail feathers are caused by an improper diet (this can also happen to short tailed birds).
3) A scissors tail is usually caused by the shorter tail feathers coming in between the pair of longest tail feathers during the growing out period, causing the latter pair to be forced apart and altering the direction of their growth. This may sometimes be the result of vigorous tail play during the molt when the tail feathers are not yet fully grown. This condition is not seen on shamas in the wild. I have also suspected that a lack of humidity in the surrounding area during the molt may have also contributed to this condition in captivity. A cage that is too small can also contribute to this.
4) One or both of the longest tail feathers can sometimes grow out in an abnormal way. The entire feather is turned about 90 degrees with one edge of the affected feather facing upwards and the other facing downwards. The reason for this is unclear. Improper diet, follicle mites and lack of sufficient humidity could all be among the possible causes for this abnormal growth of the tail feathers.
5) One of the longest tail feathers may sometimes be permanently absent. This is sometimes caused by repeatedly pulling out the feather causing permanent follicle damage resulting in the feather being unable to be replaced.
Hello Jeff,
ReplyDeleteCan you kindly explain what improper diet causes wavy tail feathers, because I've just noticed that my shama's primary tail feather is a bit wavy mid-way into his molt. I wish to correct it if it's still possible.
Thanks - Jon Cheong
Hi Jon,
ReplyDeleteYour bird's diet may be too low in protein, especially the sulfur containing amino acids.
For the time being, try to supplement with some live food, raw lean beef and ant eggs. For the long run, you should look into improving the protein content of his regular diet.
The increase in demand for protein during the molt can be met with the increase in food consumption during this period if the regular diet can provide adequately. If the regular diet is too low in protein or lacks a good balance in the amino acids, this will show during the molt resulting in the feathers not growing out well such as mishappened feather vanes or wavy feather vanes.
Hello Jeff
ReplyDeletePls advise what is the problem of new long tail drops after full molt completes.
Thanks--Iranto
Hi Iranto,
ReplyDeleteMost probably it is due to stress. Stress such as changing to a new environment, changing diet too abruptly and etc. Just give the bird the best possible care during the regrowing of the tail feathers and it may not be as bad as it may seem.
Hi Jeff,
ReplyDelete1.Any reason for shama after molting
form do not come up even untill 4 mths or more.
2.Can shama be kept in air condition room in the nite?
3.If shama start dropping front body feathers and stop molting and never sing at all any problem to this.
Thanks in advance-Iranto
1)Under normal circumstances, the testosterone level will rise after the molt, in preparation for the breeding season that follows hence the bird will peak in form. When this does not happen, it is due to factors that had interfered with the normal hormonal cycle. You will have to determine the cause, take corrective actions and probably wait out the rest of the year until the next molt.
ReplyDelete2)Besides being too cold for the bird, the air in an air-conditioned room is also too dry.
3)The bird may be stuck in molt. If it is an indoor bird, put him out into an outdoor aviary and the change of temperature/humidity will encourage a complete molt to take place.
Hi jeff,my shama bird tail feather has fall ,l just wonder how long it take to full grown tail n wat extra food that i need to feed him to promote the growth .thanks
ReplyDeleteKenneth, Sorry for the late reply.
ReplyDeleteTime it takes will depend on the tail length. For a 12 inch tail, it will take at least 3 months to complete the molt. For a short tailed bird, a month and a half.
Feed the bird his usual dry food if he is doing well on this. There will be an increase in protein demand and also a slight increase in its calcium requirement. Work out a supplementary feeding to cater to these taking into consideration the composition of your dry food. If need be, multi-vitamins and minerals can be supplemented every few days. Live food can be given from the late afternoon onwards for the extra protein.