different moults

[jusdeb]

OK got me thinking why in domesticated finches moulting is such a traumatic event .

In the wild a bird moults to a sequence ie. feathers will fall out in a fashion that the bird does not lose the ability to fly ie . just a couple of feathers here and there then when they grow back they lose a couple some where else .

So why is it that caged birds need extra vitamins ? Wouldnt extra protein be all that is needed in a healthy bird on an already nutritious diet ?

Ive seen Gouldians moult to the point of being partially naked which is probably not so bad in an aviary but in the wild the bird would have no hope of survival .

So has anyone got a theory or a scientific explanation as to why the moult is different in wild and domestic finches ?

[djb78]

Sorry deb can't give an scientific reasons but will take a stab in the dark, wild birds rely upon survival of the fittest so birds in the wild would manage to have abilities such as moulting not affect them, caged and aviery birds on the other hand have lost these abilities due to domestication. I think the reasons for this could be due to a number of reasons 1- restricted flying and no migration 2- food, we don't seem to have the ability to replicate the birds natural diet from season to season so we do the best with what we have. Would wild Aussie birds be able to get their beaks on French millet. 3- All the extra vitamins/minerals/ proteins which have been given over the many years may have lead to a dependency for them over the years 4- diseases, seems to me that caged birds seem to get sicker alot more and alot more strains than wild birds this may have to do with being in a cage which they can't escape from and sicknesses can be transmitted quite easily 5- origins of habitats most exotic birds have warmth during winter where as alot of places in Australia have very cold winters. Don't know if any or all are true deb but I believe that some if not all may have contributing factors to most caged/aviery breed birds.

[Diane]

There is also the "guilt factor" to take into consideration too. Companies are really good at making you feel you aren't doing right by your animals/birds/reptiles unless you are feeding XXX treatment/vitamins several times a week.