FINCHforum

Hi there, I have a society finch that isn't looking so good this morning. Went to take out the greens that I put in there last night and the poor thing was sitting on the bottom of the cage and didn't even move when I took the dish -- normally would flutter away. Then managed to get onto a perch and I noticed its wings fluttering like shaking almost.....any thoughts? The other society which I am thinking is a male now, as he's very interested in the hayball that's in the cage and taking out pieces and bringing them up to the other society. Not building any sort of nest though (there's a spare bamboo nest in the cage, other has eggs from the cut throats).

Kinda worried that I will come home to a dead bird when I come home

Whenever a finch is looking 'off', the first thing I do is put them into a small hospital cage (so they don't waste energy flying around in large spaces) and put a heatlamp on one side of a perch so they can go to it if they need the warmth but still move away from it if they don't need/want the heat.

For a possible eggbound hen (sounds like she could be), I give one drop of Liquid Calcium in the beak and then add some to the drinking water as well. Make sure she has water, seed and eggfood available on the floor since they usually cannot fly well when they are eggbound.

You can also drape a wet towel (soak it in hot water and wring it out so it isn't dripping all over your floor) over the top and around 3 sides of the hospital cage (not touching the heatlamp!). This is for much needed extra humidity.

Good luck!!

How small should this hospital cage be?
The heatlamp...is that a lamp similar to what one would use for a reptile? Sorry, I'm just new to all of this.

Yes it's very similar to what a reptile heatlamp would be. When you have it on, it should be warm about 6" from your hand but not HOT.

My hospital cages are like travel cages - maybe a cubic foot or a little more. I wouldn't have her in a 2' cage when she's eggbound.

Thanks Liz. Going to the store at lunch time...hopefully by the time I get home, she's still okay and I can get her transferred to the small cage.

Best wishes Jackie!! I know it's difficult.

Liz, would something like this work?

http://www.finchfriends.org/howto/hospital.html

Something that size would be okay. I prefer the wire cages for air circulation whether the hot/wet towel is on or not. I've never used a plastic sided enclosure like that but perhaps others have.

I used our travel cage for a hospital cage. It's plastic bottom & 1/2 way up the sides. It has a wire door, wire top that also opens and slots on the top half of the sides. (it's actually a small dog carrier (Dog Whisperer) that works perfect for our birds. PetSmart has them I think. I was able to lay a couple branches on the floor for my sick society to perch on. I had the lamp on one side and a towel draped over the other half for shade. I liked the 1/2 solid walls because it kept my little sick one calm. It worked very well. Good luck and I sure hope she is better! It was small enough for me to keep it on the dining room table with a clamp light for heat.

Like this?
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=3623612

Man, I feel like a dummy here....I just want to make sure I get the right thing!

Oh no, sorry - that won't do at all (the grate on the front door is much too big and you want to be able to see in (from all sides). Just a small bird cage - very small, like the size you posted. Don't worry about being exact. But you'll need to do it very soon if she is eggbound. Time is of the essence for eggbound birds.

Going right now to the pet store, although I won't be home for another few hours! Ugh!

Goodness, you aren't a dummy! This is what the one I have looks like but yes, the photo you have is very similar. with mine because the wire in the front is larger I taped a piece of computer paper over most of the door so the finch couldn't get out but could still get light in. I was lucky. My finch got well! Whatever you get I'm sure will work just fine.

Wow I would never have guessed to use one of those. Good for you for making it work, Trish!

This is what I just picked up....I think it will be good?