The effects of delaying the start of moult on the duration of moult, primary feather growth rates and feather mass in Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris

The effects of food quality and overall food intake on molt have been experimentally investigated in a number of species. However, little is known concerning the influence of periodic food availability on molt parameters, although there are some associations in the field. In this study, we experimentally manipulated food availability through food deprivation during the molt of adult and juvenile European starlings, Sturnus vulgaris. By monitoring molt scores, wingtip shape, and lengths and length asymmetries of primary feathers during molt, we demonstrated that food deprivation can influence molt. Food-deprived juvenile starlings exhibited slower feather growth rates, although the duration and rate of molt were not affected. There were no differences in wingtip shape between food-deprived and control birds at the end of molt for either adults or juveniles. We also observed erratic reshedding of previously molted primary feathers in juveniles, although this did not appear to be related to the experimental treatments. The results of this study imply that feather growth rates and shedding rates are differentially affected by food availability: growth rates may be decreased when food deprivation occurs, whereas shedding rates are relatively unaffected.

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Body Weight and Feather Growth of Male Barrow's Goldeneye During Wing Molt

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/102.1.228 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 102 (1) ◽

pp. 228-231

Author(s):

Debbie van de Wetering ◽

Fred Cooke

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Rates ◽

Adult Males ◽

Primary Feather ◽

Body Reserves ◽

Feather Growth ◽

Bucephala Islandica ◽

Daily Change ◽

The Mean

Abstract We studied the timing, duration, and rate of wing molt of male Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica). The mean daily change in primary feather length was 2.6%, which is consistent with rates reported for other waterfowl species. The mean length of the flightless period was 31 days (range: 27–34 days), excluding the pre-shedding interval. Wing molt extended from early July to mid-September. Peak wing molt occurred between 20 July and 23 August. The mean body weight of adult males decreased significantly during wing molt. Heavier birds had greater remigial growth rates and experienced more substantial declines in body weight than lighter birds, suggesting that body reserves may be used to increase the rate of remigial growth.

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Describing the growth and molt of modern domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) primary wing feathers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa373 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (12) ◽

Author(s):

Emily M Leishman ◽

Nienke van Staaveren ◽

Don R McIntyre ◽

Jeff Mohr ◽

Benjamin J Wood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Growth Rates ◽

Mixed Models ◽

Generalized Linear Mixed Models ◽

Linear Mixed Models ◽

Meleagris Gallopavo ◽

Primary Feather ◽

Feather Growth ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Over Time

Abstract The use of feathers as noninvasive physiological measurements of biomarkers in poultry research is expanding. Feather molting patterns and growth rates, however, are not well described in domestic poultry. These parameters could influence the measurement of these biomarkers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the juvenile primary feather molting patterns and feather growth rates for domestic turkeys. The 10 primary wing feathers of 48 female turkeys were measured weekly from week 1 (0 d of age) to week 20. Feathers were manually measured, and the presence or absence of each primary feather was recorded weekly. Generalized linear mixed models were used to investigate if feather growth differed between the primary feathers. The molting of the juvenile primary feathers followed a typical descending pattern starting with P1 (5 wk of age), while P9 and P10 had not molted by the end of the study (20 wk of age). The average feather growth rate was 2.4 cm/wk, although there was a significant difference between the 10 primary feathers (P < 0.0001, 2.1 to 2.8 cm/wk). Over time, feather growth followed a pattern where the growth rate reaches a peak and then declines until the feather is molted. The results of this study provide a critical update of patterns of molting and feather growth in primary wing feathers of modern turkeys. This can have implications for the interpretation of physiological biomarkers, such as the longitudinal deposition of corticosterone, in the feathers of domestic turkeys.

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A detailed analysis of primary feather moult in the Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris- new feather mass increases at a constant rate

Ibis ◽

10.1046/j.1474-919x.2003.00161.x ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 145 (2) ◽

pp. E69-E76 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Alistair Dawson

Keyword(s):

Detailed Analysis ◽

Sturnus Vulgaris ◽

Primary Feather ◽

Constant Rate ◽

The Common

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Diurnal constancy of feather growth rates in White-crowned Sparrows exposed to various photoperiods and feeding schedules during the postnuptial molt

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z86-192 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 64 (6) ◽

pp. 1292-1294 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Mary E. Murphy ◽

James R. King

Keyword(s):

Diurnal Variation ◽

Growth Rates ◽

Second Phase ◽

Phase Growth ◽

Zonotrichia Leucophrys ◽

Grand Average ◽

Feather Growth ◽

Zonotrichia Leucophrys Gambelii

To estimate the diurnal variation expenditure for feather synthesis during molt we measured the elongation of the primary remiges of White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) through consecutive 12-h phases. All experimental birds (five groups) were illuminated and fed throughout the first 12-h phase of each cycle, but had various spans of illumination and feeding during the second 12-h phase. In spite of the differing schemes of illumination:feeding (12:12, 16:16, 16:12, 20:20, and 20:12), feather growth did not differ among groups in either 12-h phase. The grand average first-phase growth was 2.07 mm/12 h, compared with 2.05 mm/12 h in the second phase. These data suggest that nutrient expenditure for feather synthesis in White-crowned Sparrows is essentially constant throughout the 24-h cycle.

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Weight and feather growth of nestling tree swallows

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z82-149 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 60 (5) ◽

pp. 1080-1090 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Reto Zach ◽

Keith R. Mayoh

Keyword(s):

Brood Size ◽

Logistic Model ◽

Growth Curves ◽

Gompertz Model ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Growth Rate Constant ◽

Tree Swallows ◽

Primary Feather ◽

Weight Growth ◽

Feather Growth

Six models were tested for weight and feather growth of nestling tree swallows (Iridoprocne bicolor). The logistic model, with an asymptotic weight A of 22.4 g and a growth-rate constant K of 0.51 day−1, was most appropriate for weight growth. Observed curves for individual birds were of diverse shape and some lacked weight recession. Growth of primary feather 9 and rectrix feather 6 followed the Gompertz model, with A and K values of 80.9 and 49.6 mm, and 0.21 and 0.20 day−1, respectively. Fitting of the models to feather length was complicated because growth curves for individual birds did not coincide in time, and fledging occurred before completion of growth. Long nestling times were associated with slow weight and feather growth, and A and K were consistently negatively correlated. The variation of A, K, and nestling time among broods ranged from 49.2 to 95.1%, and brood size could not account for much of the observed variability. Presumably, various nest-box variables and weather conditions as related to the age of nestlings are important. Primary and rectrix growth were similar and closely linked but apparently unrelated to weight growth. Growth of feather vanes was closely linked to feather growth. Birds that failed to fledge had depressed weight, feather, and vane growth. Weight growth and recession seem to be particularly well suited for investigating natural and man-made environmental stresses.

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Rates of Primary-Feather Growth in Nestling Birds

Ornis Scandinavica ◽

10.2307/3676709 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 59 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Christopher P. F. Redfern

Keyword(s):

Primary Feather ◽

Feather Growth

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Nestling house wrens: weight and feather growth

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z82-191 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 60 (6) ◽

pp. 1417-1425 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Reto Zach

Keyword(s):

Logistic Model ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Gompertz Model ◽

Growth Rate Constant ◽

Primary Feather ◽

Von Bertalanffy Model ◽

House Wrens ◽

Weight Growth ◽

A Value ◽

Feather Growth

Six models were tested for weight and feather growth of nestling house wrens (Troglodytes aedon). For weight growth, the logistic model with an asymptote A of 10.4 g and a growth-rate constant K of 0.52 day−1 was best. Curves for weight growth of individuals varied, and some birds had pronounced weight recession. Growth of primary feather 10 followed the Gompertz model with A and K equal to 18.8 mm and 0.32 day−1, respectively. Growth of rectrix feather 6 could best be described by the von Bertalanffy model with a forced A value of 32.5 mm and K equal to 0.12 day−1. Fitting of the models to rectrix feather length was complicated because fledging occurred when growth was only 37% complete as opposed to 84% complete for primary feather growth. The variation among broods of growth parameters and nestling time ranged up to 54.5%. First and second broods did not differ significantly in these parameters and brood size could not account for much of the observed variability. Weight growth and primary feather growth were linked, but this was not the case for weight and rectrix, or for primary and rectrix feather growth. Some birds that failed to fledge had depressed growth. Weight growth and recession are particularly well suited for investigating natural and man-made environmental stresses such as gamma radiation.

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