puffing up

[Denise]

OK, this is weird! I posted yesterday that I put new society finches in the aviary with my other 4 little beauties and all was well. This morning, my male parrot finch was puffing up. Kept an eye on him for a couple hours...still puffing. So...put him in a quarantine cage,heat light... He is not puffing AT ALL in the quarantine cage! Just giving me a look like...WHAT??? His eyes look clear, beak and feet look clean, vent clean. NUTTIN! He was the Big Dwag in the aviary till I put the societies in. Could he be puffing up to make himself look big? Has bn no bickering with the new kids. Any thoughts?

[Icearstorm]

Denise
The heat lamp may keep him warm enough to make going fluffy unnecessary. I would keep him separate for a few days and gradually stop using the lamp. If he seems fine for a couple of days after you stop using the heat lamp, it is probably safe to assume he is not ill and add him back.

[lovezebs]

Denise

When you introduce new birds into a group, there will always be someone with their beak out of joint.

However, usually it does not show up as sitting all fluffed up like you mentioned, unless there is some bullying going on.

I'd keep him warm and cozy for a while and keep an eye on things, seeing as he might very well be feeling a bit under the weather.

I would also keep a close eye on the Socies, to make sure you didn't end up with a little bully in the group.

[Denise]

I can't believe this- looks like the puffing up was a protest to the new society finches. 2 days of puffing up & my parrot finch decided to get over his bad self. A bit of fussing over roosting spots the first few days and we have all moved on. It's all fun and games now. Whew!!

[Icearstorm]

Denise
That's good to hear.