Moulting. 163 



very frequently result from long and protracted moulting, engen- 

 dered by cold or by improper diet or neglect, for the greatest 

 care and attention are necessary at this time. 



AGE AT WHICH MOULT COMMENCES. Young birds usually 

 begin to moult between the age of eight and ten weeks ; those 

 that are hatched and reared at the commencement of the season 

 are generally a week or two longer in beginning than those 

 birds that are " backly bred." There is a very marked difference 

 in birds for moulting ; some shed their feathers with great 

 freedom, whilst others have great difficulty in doing so. 

 Much, doubtless, depends upon the health and constitution 

 of the subject. A strong, healthy, robust bird always gets 

 over the moult much more easily than a puny, badly-reared 

 one indeed, the change that takes place in the system at 

 this time terminates the existence of a great many such birds. 



FOOD DURING MOULT. Birds ought to be fed liberally 

 during the time they are moulting, and until they are quite 

 "fine" in feather; a few dainties may be given them occasion- 

 ally, but sparingly, such as egg and bread, maw seed, millet 

 seed, linseed, groats, &c., but little or no hemp seed, the last- 

 named seed being very injurious to canaries, particularly when 

 given in unmeasured quantities. A little beef suet and a small 

 piece of an apple may be placed between the wires of their cages 

 for them to peck at now and again ; and as they approach the 

 period of a full moult, I would recommend boiled carrots to be 

 given them fresh, twice or thrice a week, for several weeks in 

 succession, as it tightens the feathers, and puts a fine gloss upon 

 them. The carrots should be cut in thin slices, and placed 

 between the wires of the cages also. It is not advisable to give 

 canaries green food at this time ; a fresh lettuce leaf or a 

 small quantity of ripe groundsel given judiciously will do them 

 no harm ; but avoid giving them too much chickweed, par- 

 ticularly if it is not ripe, as it is apt to give them diarrhoea. 



SYMPTOMS AND FIRST TREATMENT. "When a bird is about 

 to begin to moult it becomes drowsy and listless, and fre- 

 quently goes hunting about the bottom of the cage and in the 

 eed hopper, apparently in search of something which it is 



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