French moult
French moulting or racing disease is the slang term for a clinical symptom in which birds, suddenly and mostly symmetrically, lose their wing and tail feathers. The phenomenon occurs mainly in young budgies between 4 and 7 weeks of age. No feathers or only deformed feathers will grow back in the affected areas at the next moult. The affected birds are also called " runners " or " hops " because they are mostly unable to fly.
The French moult is triggered by a polyomavirus infection or Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD). In addition, malnutrition, mutual plucking or inflammation of the bellows can cause similar symptoms.
literature
- Ruth Baumgartner et al .: French moulting . In: K. Gabrisch, P. Zwart: Diseases of pets . 6th edition. Schlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hannover 2005, p. 461, ISBN 3-89993-010-X .
