FINCHforum

Is there a way to test for these diseases? If the societies are infected will it transfer to my gouldians if they are in the same area or would I have to keep the gouldians and societies in completely different rooms?

Dayna this ladygoulian.con's article on the subject
http://ladygouldian.com/node/121

A vet can test their droppings for either of the two.

Thanks for the reply Cindy the article was very informative but I am not looking to get societies to foster. I just want to get them to enjoy and maybe breed down the line but I do not want to get them if they will kill off my flock of gouldians with campylobacter or cochlosoma. Maybe I should have been more specific with my original question. Are these diseases air born at all? Do they and will they affect my juvie and adult gouldians if they are housed in the same room as the societies or is it only passed on to gouldian chicks through fostering?

To be safe, I'd say get your societies from a trusted breeder that possibly fosters, then you will know they are clean and will save the expense of checking for the diseases at a vet.

Dayna, a long time ago before a lot of the advance were made in medicines for birds (this sounds cruel but it was the only way) in order to find out if the societies carried anything often breeders let societies raise gouldians (considered then an extremely delicate bird, costly and for experienced breeder) they would let the societies raise another species of chicks like zebras. If the chicks survived and did not get ill or die then the societies were considered clean.

We are lucky nowadays to have good information, medical help and meds.

Monique is right go to a good breeder that has good healthy stock in societies.

Campylobacter can be easily spread from bird to bird through a common water source or through contact with infected feces.

Cochlosoma is commonly spread through beak contact, contact with an infected birds droppings, or the feeding of chicks are all very common methods for the protozoa to travel. Overcrowding, poor hygiene and other stress factors result in greater spread of infection.

So I would think separate cages but in the same room is fine, just don't cross contaminate their food and water, etc

Ok thanks everyone I think I will just pay it safe andstick to breeders that already have clean birds.