handfeeding update./ mom and dad are feeding again!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sat May 30, 2009 6:06 am

I lost one of the babies last night. Maybe I was doing something wrong..... perhaps feeding them too much? I don't know.... it is a learning experience for sure.

The other one doesn't look so great this morning

It is just too sad.......

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Sat May 30, 2009 6:22 am

So sorry for your loss Donna.

Keeping my fingers crossed for the other little one.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Sat May 30, 2009 2:39 pm

May be something wrong with the chicks. Maybe that's why the parents abandoned in the first place. I once lost a whole clutch at about 3 weeks old. Thought it very strange since the parents were proven and wonderful parents to previous clutches. About 2 weeks late I noticed the Dad sneezing and wiping his beak....sure enough I treated for air sac mites and he cleared up. Hindsight I realized it was the mites in the immature airway that made the parents abandon and the chicks starved or strangled. I saw no earlier syptoms..... I now treat my entire flock twice yearly, whether they need it or not

Pay attention to the parents... the only symptom with mine was the male didn't sing as much or as loud as before and would sneeze occaisionally. Gouldians are very prone to air sac mites....you may have brought some in with a species that handles them but that spread them to your goulds

So sorry for the loss....I felt sure all would be well...I don't think it was your feeding. though it is best to let the crop empty before filling again. I am so frustrated for you. I know you are broken hearted.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat May 30, 2009 5:18 pm

Sorry to hear that Donna. Hope the others make it for you.

Post by **Sally** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:47 am

Sorry that one baby didn't make it. How is the other one doing? I agree with Candace, sometimes the parents abandon because they know something is wrong, and they will not waste their energy on a baby that ultimately will not make it. Many of the ones I have lost were tossed, and either there was something wrong with them to begin with, or they were injured when tossed, and so doomed from the start--at least that is what I believe.

Handfeeding can be difficult, but you are like me (and many of us)--just can't stand to not try at least. I figure they aren't going to make it without my help, so nothing to lose by trying.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:03 pm

Sorry I haven't updated lately on the one remaining baby.

I started putting some KD water into it's formula when I was handfeeding it because Misty said it appeared it may have some yeast. After about two days of this , things started turning around for the better. About two days after this it began to fly around and so I put it into the aviary during the day and low and behold the other birds started feeding it. So... I stopped going out there to feed it. It looks like it is a dilute and is doing great! This baby has been a challenge and is quite special. Don't know if I will be giving this one up or not.....

Here are some pictures I took this morning.

Here is a picture of Mario and Little Yellow with it.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:25 pm

Aww he looks great!

How did Misty determine it might have some yeast? How much KD did you add to the handfeeding formula? and Who started feeding it??

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:31 pm

Aww he's so beautiful,

so glad that he made and to see pics.

I don't see how after all of that you could let him go, he will always have a special place in your heart.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:16 pm

L in Ontario wrote:Aww he looks great!

How did Misty determine it might have some yeast? How much KD did you add to the handfeeding formula? and Who started feeding it??

Thanks..... so many questions Liz?

Inquiring minds want to know..... (just kidding) I should have given you all more info on such a great ending so far...

Well I called Misty because their poops were runny and looking exactually like the formula they were eating. I didn't know if this was normal or not since I had never handfed before. She told me it sounded like they might have yeastl, but wouldn't know for sure without seeing the poop.

She suggested that I try the KD first and if that didn't straighten it up to go to the vet and get some nystatin. I mixed the KD according to the directions as if I were putting it in their dirnking water. This is what I do weekly to the whole flock. Then I warmed the water and put it into the formula instead of plain water. Every other feeding I would put the THRIVE into the formula. Anyway.. it worked. Poops got better and so did birdie.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:21 pm

L in Ontario wrote:Aww he looks great!

How did Misty determine it might have some yeast? How much KD did you add to the handfeeding formula? and Who started feeding it??

Sorry Liz, just didn't give you enough info did I?

I called Misty because their poops were runny. She suggested that they could have yeast and that was common in handfeeding babies. We didn't know for sure, but she told me to try putting the KD in the water. I mixed it just like I would when I give it to the whole flock. ( I do this weekly)

Every other feeding I would put THRIVE into their formula. It worked! In two days the poops were normal.

And baby started perking up.

I put the baby into the aviary so that it would not be alone and never expected it to be fed. The parents just started feeding it! (Mario and Millie) I was going out there every two hours to feed it and when I realized what was happening, I stopped and let the parents take over again. Mario has started molting (yeah!) so he will be taking a much needed rest now. This is the ONLY baby that survived out of his clutch of 6.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:49 pm

Now that's a good story, Donna. Thanks for filling me in. I may need to get some KD as that's something I do not have on hand here.

I just read through your signature line. Do you mean you have 36 finches in your aviary?! WOW

Way to go!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:40 am

L in Ontario wrote:
I just read through your signature line. Do you mean you have 36 finches in your aviary?! WOW Way to go!

I guess I do....... hadn't really counted lately. It doesn't seem like there are so many in there.

I am going to be moving all gouldian juvies out in July. That will help!

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:52 pm

I am so glad the baby pulled through...I hadn't even thought of yeast.
Good call Misty. When you go through something like this it is almost impossible to give them up. A special bond forms. Good job on saving this little fellow

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:27 pm

Thank you! That is what is so great about having finch friends...... you can get lots of advice and do the best you can. Sometimes it works!

The baby is doing great and beginning to eat on it's own.
It is a cutie! Doesn't want alot to do with me anymore.....

MLaRue · Post by **MLaRue** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:48 pm

Hi Donna,

Hand feeding takes time to get right. Next time something like this comes up I will come visit and show you how I do it. I had my first success this year with hand feeding and not sure what or how it came together for me but it finally did.

The baby that made it looks real good with nice and tight feathers.