Could use some advice!

queenb · Post by **queenb** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:40 pm

Infected! – New to birding and forums,great place to start. One month ago,added owl to my aviary with 4 zebras (two pairs).One pair laid eggs (2) in the coldest part of the year (Los Angeles). I thought they wouldn't incubate. They did.Noticed excessive preening...talked to store..suggested they were molting and with babies expected...hold off on treatment. Babies born Jan 2,one died(disappeared-not thrown out) and another just died-never thrived-crop in place. Owl died 10 days ago. Mama with gook on beak. Please help! (Inadvertantly posted picture of infected bird in gallery. I'll figure this all out!)

Post by **Hilary** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:36 pm

Sorry to hear about the problems! The chick who "disappeared" is probably buried in the nest somewhere - my societies do that rather than throw out dead chicks (darn their eyes!). How cold is cold down there right now?

Hilary

queenb · Post by **queenb** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:54 pm

Thank you for your concern. I thought the "missing" hatchling was covered as well, but couldn't find it. Possibly, one didn't hatch...(caution limited my complete view) and they ate the shell? They have abandoned the nest. I feel so bad for them.

At night it can reach 55. I have a plastic sheet around the cage and put large blankets over that because of the hatchlings. What a few days for the birds and their keeper! The parents are predictably tired, but I fear for the mama's overall health. Any ideas as to what is causing the lesion on her beak? I have noticed them scratching.

I adopted the birds from a deceased neighbor. They were barely maintained in a flock of mixed birds....maybe I am worrying too much, but with the death of my owl (my own addition) and the hatchling, I'm questioning my abilities. Bridget