Male Society Finch on bottom of cage

[wildbird]

It doesn't sound like air sac mites to me. They cough with those and they don't get better for awhile and then sick again. Have you observed his feet to see if there is any reason he does not want to use a perch. It's not good to treat if you're not sure what you're treating for. All drugs have side effects that can make things worse.

[Vera]

It doesn't sound like air sac mites to me. They cough with those and they don't get better for awhile and then sick again. Have you observed his feet to see if there is any reason he does not want to use a perch. It's not good to treat if you're not sure what you're treating for. All drugs have side effects that can make things worse.

No I havent checked his feet but thats a good idea. Right now he's cuddled up with the other three up high. This really confuses me. This is the pattern he sits on the bottom for a while and then flies around like normal and perches and then the next day back on the bottom for a while and the cycle continues .....

[wildbird]

I don't think he is sick. Go to Lowes & get a flat about 3/4 inch wide strip of unpainted wood. I think they come about 6' in length, but you can cut what you want. They don't cost much anyway. It can be found in the molding area and is similar to what used to be used across the end of old type window shades that pull down. I use a small piece for a perch for my Java finch and she really likes it. It might help.

[Vera]

I don't think he is sick. Go to Lowes & get a flat about 3/4 inch wide strip of unpainted wood. I think they come about 6' in length, but you can cut what you want. They don't cost much anyway. It can be found in the molding area and is similar to what used to be used across the end of old type window shades that pull down. I use a small piece for a perch for my Java finch and she really likes it. It might help.

Thank you for the suggestion . We pulled him out today and both my husband and I listened very carefully to his breathing and it seemed fine.
We will keep an eye on him but he is eating and drinking and seems to be able to fly when he wants to Im feeling better about his health

[Vera]

So now a second society is showing similar behavior. Their eating drinking and pooping seems normal but they have periods of time they sit on the bottom of the cage and then they fly around and seem normal.
I bought some diatomaceous earth to put in their food and
I've ordered some SCAT just in case it is air mites but I am worried - should I remove the two that dont look well or is it too late and might as well leave all four of them together now. I am kicking myself that I didnt originally move the first one but I thought he was getting better.

Also I am concerned for my Gouldians and their babies. They are in a different room and in a different cage but the adult gouldians were with the societies about two months ago. They seem healthy although dad's head is scruffy but has been that way since his moult.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP

[Vera]

Ok this is crazy. This afternoon he was flying around like a crazy man and singing at the top of his lungs, eating and drinking and now he's back on the bottom of the cage. I think if it was something serious he would be gone by now.

[Sheather]

Okay honestly, super surprised at the reactions so far about this. Is this something nobody really ever sees?

All of my birds spend time sitting on the ground. Sometimes finches sleep there. There is nothing wrong with them, and I doubt there is anything wrong with yours.

[wildbird]

I completely agree with Sheather. Stop worrying.

[lovezebs]

Vera

How are the boys doing?

We haven't heard anything since last weekend?

[Stuart whiting]

Ok this is crazy. This afternoon he was flying around like a crazy man and singing at the top of his lungs, eating and drinking and now he's back on the bottom of the cage. I think if it was something serious he would be gone by now.

To be perfectly honest Vera I'd say that yer pretty much over reacting with this little fella as there's probably nothing wrong with him atall,

Need to remember that various finches have similar habits which we reflect apon and use this as a guide line into how we keep and breed our birds but at the same time no two birds will ever be the same as each individual will have their own characteristics

[Vera]

He still has times on the bottom of the cage but he is flying around and singing too which we hadn't heard for a while. I think he's much better

[lovezebs]

Vera

That's really good news.

Maybe he just likes that spot at the bottom of the cage as his home base. It's hard to say.

If he's eating, drinking, flying and singing, I would think he's doing alright

One thing I would do, is check his feet, just to make sure all is well on the bottom of them, and that he's not having a perching problem.

Good luck.

[Vera]

So thought I would give another quick update on my boy Fairfax.

He is no longer sitting on the bottom of the cage and is active, eating and singing again. Either he really was sick before or had a sore foot (which was why he was on the bottom of the cage). His friend was also sitting on the bottom beside him, and starting to show less energy as well and then another of the finches was doing this. As you know I was confused as to whether he was sick or just liked to be on the bottom of the cage or had a sore foot.
I did some research and found out about a product called Diatomaceous Earth (food grade). Some bird breeders treat their birds with this a couple of times of a year. I thought it wouldnt hurt and bought some at a health food store. Since giving it to my birds I have seen a gradual
turnaround in Fairfax's behaviour as well as the other two birds that were starting to show similar behaviour. He is no longer sitting on the bottom of the cage and is very energetic and bright, eating, singing, playing.... I dont think he was sitting on the bottom of the cage before because he preferred to, because he is not doing it anymore now that he seems to be feeling better.
So whatever the reason, he is no longer sitting on the bottom of the cage and seems to be a new improved version of his plucky self. Mystery continues ....

[lovezebs]

Vera

Very good news Vera.

I'm so glad that things have turned around for the better.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?
I think I've heard the name before, but know nothing about it.

[Vera]

Diatomaceous Earth is a natural product - I cant really explain it but it is fossilized remains of some type of algae. It is supposed to be a natural way of killing bacteria and other types of bugs. It is available at health food stores. There is food grade quality and another type.
Try googling it for more information.
Apparently some people take it in smoothies and give it to their pets.