update bird is hog fat, and still behaving 100% normal. he never pinched all his new growth feathers. for example he pinched 2-tail feathers but has 1 in - 90% down. pinched 1 primary, but has 1- 70% down. now 5-10 body and down feathers being pinched. odd also no new growth at pinch areas. hopefully new growth will be normal and undamaged will keep posted
Sorry for the delay, I just came across this old thread, and realized that I never closed it out. First, thank you to everyone for their advice and input. He finally completed his moult by the middle of Nov. All of his primaries grew in fine, one deck feather had a fret [looked like a knot] in the middle of the shaft. A dozen or so body feathers kept that 'potato chip " appearence. Got down to flying weight by the middle of Dec., and on second hunt caught first c/t of season. We were fortunate, I believe that because he was in such high condition at the onset of the west nile, he was able to weather the storm, and the worst thing that happened, was a shortened hunting season. Also, did administer 0.25cc of metacam 1x a day.Finally, 3/17 end of our season, 24 c/t, 6 squirrels. On 3/24, I released my 4x intermewed R/T. Thanks