FINCHforum

My fairly new boy has been spending a considerable amount of time sitting on the bottom of the flight cage today. He does seem to be eating seed and drinking water, but most of the time he is at the bottom looking up at the other birds. I put him in a small hospital cage in another room with some seed and water and some heat. Is there some kind of time-frame for how long I should keep him separated and quiet? I don't have any bird specific meds yet (still trying to figure out what I need to order), but I do have amoxicillin caps. I'm thinking that right now, since I don't know what the problem is, I should just make sure he is warm enough. Question: Over night, should I turn off the lamp and let him have darkness in order to get some rest, or should I leave the lamp on and try to cover his cage so it will look sort of dark?

Thanks,

Sue

If he look BAD or all fluffed up then I would leave the light on overnight. They can tuck their head into their wing to block the light.

I always leave the light on - though I Do try to have a low wattage infrared bulb at hand. It's less disturbing while putting out plenty of heat. I keep it at one end of a long perch, taht way they can be as close to, or far away from, the heat as they want. They need heat day and night, maybe even more at night when they're less active naturally. I also keep a towel draped over most of the cage to keep the heat in.

Have you checked his droppings? Are they watery, off colour? Is he fluffed up? Any discharge from his nostrils, eyes? Any clicking sounds when breathing? Panting?

If you have some kind of electrolyte and/or vitamin supplement, keep it in his water and very accessible to him. I do tend to offer my sick ones some fresh-boiled and mashed egg. I add supplements as well, but the egg alone is a great source of protein and minerals. Just be sure to remove it after a short time (hour or two) and replace with fresh regularly.

If you have a bird supply somewhere nearby, see if they have a high end dry mash you can sprinkle over the other food you're offering. If he's not on pelleted food that's another good way to get some quality nutrients in more easily. There are a Lot of supplements that would be helpful - I know you're going to get some good info from other here.
Hoping for the best for you both!!

I also leave the light on 24 hours with sick finches. I do have a cage large enough the they can be on the side with the light/heat or move away from the heat if they need to. Finches will sleep with the light on. Sending prayers that he is feeling better soon

Thanks guys. He seems fine this morning. His droppings look normal today, but last night I couldn't find any droppings. Could he have been constipated? Do finches get constipated?

Anyway, I'll keep an eye on him today.

Thanks for the help.

Sue

Glad to hear he is feeling better!
Yes, finches get constipated. Especailly if they consumed too much mineral grit/cuttlebone.
Here is an old post of mine of a miserable finch and the outcome...gas and constipation was exactly what his problem was.
He had eaten lots of eggshell at one time and just stoped his little system up.
http://finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=4 ... =bird+fart

Thanks Candace,

A very informative and sorta funny thread that you linked to. The cock seems to be fine. Maybe I overreacted? I tend to be a worrier and because I'm new to finches, I probably let my imagination get the best of me. Hopefully, as I get more experience, I will be better prepared for handling issues such as this one.

Sue