My white finch might be sick OR pregnant???

aquagirl · Post by **aquagirl** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:29 am

Hi All!!!

I am new to this site and am glad I found it! Ok. I was given as a wedding gift 2 finches
I believe male and female.

Anyway. a couple of hours ago I noticed that my white one (Ethel) is looking really puffy (chubby) and kind of out of it. The other finch (Fred) is kind of hanging out near her, like keeping close to her.

I don't know if she is puffy because she is sick or pregnant? Any info you can provide to this (me)
Finch Newbie will be appreciated!!!

(p.s. she was having flying up to the perches to get up to the nest, but finally (after falling down to the bottom of the cage) she managed to make it all the way up and into the cage with Fred to follow.

dan78 · Post by **dan78** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:19 am

A puffy finch isn't a good sign. Not being able to fly is also a bad sign, firstly don't worry what's wrong you need to get a heat source to her. Any type of lamp that holds a bulb would work nicely for now. Place light as close to the cage wire near a low perch, turn the light on and try and cover the side and roof with some cloth as this can help with keeping drafts down, privacy and help to keep some heat in best as possible. Why do I say place to lower perches is simple birss that are sick don't need to fly so a low perch is not that hard to get too as well as some birds will find the floor more comfortable. The heat sorce needs to be on one side and the other left open as if she gets too hot she can simply move over to the other side of the cage and come back as she needs. What would help is more info on what may be wrong other than being puffy as this is a sign for many many problems, birds tend to puff to help keep warm. Can you help with explaining what her poop looks like colour, hardness and is any stuck around her bum. Is her bottom swollen so feathers may be pushed away so you can see her bum. Eyes are they closed all the time or partially or are they fully open, are they clear with a shine to them or dull, is there discharge coming from her nose or crusty bits on top of her beak. How is her eating and drinking. All these if you can help with finding what maybe wrong. Please don't touch her and keep some distance as she needs to feel relaxed. How old are they and how long have you had them.

debbie276 · Post by **debbie276** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:47 am

Just wanted to say welcome to the forum.
I agree with Dan, best of luck

Post by **Sally** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 10:36 am

The only thing I would add to what dan78 has already said is that I always suspect eggbinding when a hen is puffy and obviously in distress. That may not be it at all, but it doesn't hurt to treat for it, and it can save a life. As dan78 has said, heat is so important for any sick bird. For a hen, I also add some humidity. You can wet a small towel, wring it out well, and drape it over one end of the cage, being careful to keep it away from the heat lamp. And liquid calcium can help her pass an egg, if that is her problem. As a newbie, I doubt you have liquid calcium on hand, but you can ask at your local pharmacy for liquid calcium glutonate or look in the children's supplements department for liquid calcium. The children's will probably be flavored, but in an emergency, I would use it if that is all you can find. One or two drops to the side of the beak with an eye dropper, and she should open her beak and take in some of it. Then let her rest.

And welcome to the forum, though it is under stressful circumstances. There's lots of good reading at the Finch Information Center, where you can do a search for eggbinding, breeding, and species information on your finches. You don't say what species you have, they could be Zebra finches or Society finches, which are often beginner finches. If you put your general location in your profile, it will help the other members tell you where to get supplies, etc.

Post by **finchmix22** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 11:31 am

Welcome! Sorry your hen is not well, but everyone has given great advice. If you can take a pic without stressing her, it would help to see how she looks. The eggbinding is common in finches and especially, if you are new to taking care of finches, the diet can be missing nutrients. What do you feed them?

aquagirl · Post by **aquagirl** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 11:55 pm

Hi all and Dan78!!!

I want to insert pics of my 2 birds but don't know how to do it here.
Anyway. The white finch in question woke up looking a little chubby, and was way
more allert! Now its 8:51pm and she is looking slim and healthy again!

Dan78. I checked my bird as u requested and she was all clear and looked good.

now she and her partner are up inside their nest and calling it a night. Lol

I still do not know how to tell what kind of finches they are.

if u can tell me how to load pics...I'll introduce u to them

thanks everyone for ur advice! I was freaking out.

Post by **Sally** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 12:24 am

aquagirl

Go back to this section, which is only for newbies, and there is a topic explaining the various ways to post pictures.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewforum.php?f=81

dan78 · Post by **dan78** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 5:44 am

Aquagirl I'm glad to hear that she seems fine, but keep a close eye to make sure she stays that way. All the best.

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My white finch might be sick OR pregnant???

My white finch might be sick OR pregnant???

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