FINCHforum

I was cleaning out my cages and moved one. (inconsequencial).

The cage turned upside down with the 4 finches in it. 3 out of 4 are their ok.

The fourth has me pacing. It happened at 9pm last night. He hasn't moved from the top of the nest. Looks like a statue. Hasn't eatten or has water. However, every once in a while he will stretch the body and nothing else. He isn't swallowing as I can see.

He just flew on a perch away from his mate. Sitting like a statue chest not moving as in breathing. Now he's back to the nest.

Do you think he has internal injuries? A vet just can't be paid for an emergency visit. It's $1.25 just to go through the door. I'm not being cheap, just realistic. I thought maybe someone had the same experience or might know what's going on. Lyn

It is possible, I'm sure, that he could have injuries, but I am not too sure what you could do for him if he does.
It is also popssibly that he is just severely freaked out from the inicident and may be taking some time to recover from that.
If you have some vitalize or pedialyte/gatorade you could offer, that might be good; if he does go for some water, that would help to keep him hydrated. Maybe put a dish of seed up near the nest to encourage him to eat. It may be painful to move/fly so that may be discouraging him from going to get food and water.

Hopefully someone else will come along with some more help soon.

He may be sore from getting bumped around. Do you have Metacam? It's an NSAID for birds for pain relief. Or as we do with most health issues, I'd for sure put a heat lamp on the cage, give Vitalize or Thrive and millet close by the bird so he can eat easily. I usually give my birds Romaine lettuce too that is sprinkled with handfeeding formula to make sure they can easily get some nutrition. Good Luck and keep us posted.

I will try all of the above. Thank you. He won't even eat millet or drink water. I'm officially worried.

If he won't eat or drink at all, he'll get dehydrated. I'd tube feed a somewhat watery mix of handfeeding formula in a cc syringe and place it at the side of the beak and pry beak open enough to squirt just .1cc at a time in his beak. You can also give him some Thrive or Vitalize straight the same way for preventing dehydration and giving him some energy, so maybe he can eat himself. Keep us posted.

I'm so sorry to heat this Deborah I hope your little guy is feeling better. keep us posted.

Heat and if you don't have handdeeding formula but use pellets warm some water in the microwave for about 8 to 10 second and dissolve pellets into it. Stir until soupy, you may need to warm it little before feeding it to him. Make sure it us not to hot, if you have a banding tool try to get a little in him or let him lick it off the tool. Be very careful in handling him most likely the bird is in shock and could be injuries internally.

How is he this morning?

He is himself this am and singing like crazy. Eating and he has a girlfriend now. Thank you for all your support!! Lyn

Glad he is feeling better

Such good news...will their be little chicks in their future?

I'm positive there will be. He's singing like a soprano and she has her bum in the air. Good sign! I'll send pics when it happens, ok. Thanks again for all the support. You really are a very caring board. Lyn

I'll send pics when it happens, ok

OH NO, we really don't need pics of THAT!!!

hee, hee, hee