Understanding and Managing French Molt in Birds

In birds, molting is a normal process. After a certain period, all the birds have some feathers, and then new feathers grow again. Caged pheasants (especially budgerigar, lovebird, cockatiel) are French Molt when their feathers drop rapidly. The disease was named French Molt after first seen in some baby buzzards imported from France to Germany.

How and why does French Molt attack birds?

The bird is infected with French Molt due to a virus called polyoma. But in many cases, all over-bred birds reared in malnourished and unhealthy environments have similar symptoms of French Molt, which makes the bird very weak and loses immunity. Due to this birds get infected very easily. So, we can say that French molts are generally of two types—French Molt due to physical malnutrition or weakness.

Causes and infections: 

Polyomavirus belongs to the Papovavirus family. These diseased young birds are very unlikely to recover. They usually die within two to ten days. These viruses are complicated to eradicate from nature and can easily be transmitted to our hands, clothes, or breastfeeding a baby bird.

What does this virus do?

The virus causes the bird’s heart to grow larger than usual and causes bleeding under the heart, liver, bile, intestines, and skin.

Remedy / Prevention:

Although the polio vaccine is available in the developed world, although many veterinarians recommend vaccinating young and old birds, many say the vaccine takes along to be effective. During this time, the young bird naturally develops antibodies, or the virus infects the bird thoroughly. Also, before applying this vaccine, Firstly, we should confirm the presence of poliovirus in the bird’s body. For verification, we have to be done a Gram stain test and other tests.

Prediction / Outcome: 

Some diseased birds usually die within 24 to 48 hours, some birds recover slowly, but the feather arrangement is incorrect. According to some sources, the mortality rate of this diseased bird is 30 to 60 percent. French Molt due to physical malnutrition or weakness In most cases, the bird is infected with French Molt due to physical malnutrition or deficiency.

Causes and Infections: 

Depending on the severity of the bird’s infection or severity of

1. Excessive breeding pressure, breeding before the birds reach adulthood or outside the breeding season.

2. Unhealthy aviary environment, crowded / eighty aviary, lack of adequate movement/flight of birds

3. In fact, in contact with infected birds, the bird’s diet may be affected by malnutrition or environmental stress.

4. If someone of the first generation of birds is infected with

5. Reproduction of birds before or after the breeding season with the help of artificial light.

French malt is not contagious due to physical malnutrition or weakness. So, there is no need to differentiate this kind of diseased bird from other birds.

What does it do?

Destroys bird feathers and attacks immunity.

How to recognize?

Bird feathers are random and abnormal, skeletal, slow physical growth, and quickly / frequently infected.

Remedy: 

Avoid the reasons mentioned above. Ensure a balanced diet rich in natural vitamins, minerals, and proteins for birds. Should not breed Birds before adulthood or in excess. Ensure healthy birdcage management, adequate sunlight, and light air.