FINCHforum

Hope the pictures show up..posted in the gallery.

I noticed a growth on the beak of my male zeb a few months ago. Not sure what it is but today I noticed it had grown longer so I clipped the end of it. Also noticed the feet looked dry and scaly.

My female is also getting a long beak, she is supposed to be less than 4 years old, I've owned her for 3. Also she has been puffy for the entire time I've owned her. Today I noticed she is getting a little slower and her face, throat feathers are getting very dark with more black than normal.

If anyone can help with what is going on I'd appreciate it. I'd also be willing to let them go to a better home (georgia area) as I'm supposed to be going overseas soon.

The hen is cold - put a heatlamp on the cage ASAP.

You did good clipping the beak growth - you can clip it down to be in line with the beak itself. It is unusual but not a rare occurance.

L in Ontario wrote:The hen is cold - put a heatlamp on the cage ASAP.

You did good clipping the beak growth - you can clip it down to be in line with the beak itself. It is unusual but not a rare occurance.

How cold? Is it just her nature? Its in the 80's right now where I live and my other female and male aren't like this. I think she is older than what I was told when I received her. Plus she has been like this for 3 years.

She has been like this (fluffed???) for 3 years? Wow. I don't think it matters how warm it is - when a finch is fluffed, it indicates it is cold and needs extra warmth.

Frilled zebra? Coukd she be eggbound? Do you give calcium? And yes, heat lamp shoukd put on her favorite perchh for her

DanteD716 wrote:Frilled zebra? Coukd she be eggbound? Do you give calcium? And yes, heat lamp shoukd put on her favorite perchh for her

I guess anything is possible, but not likely because two years ago she laid a clutch and looked the same. I think if that were the case she would have died a long time ago. I give them egg shells. Still don't think it's because she is cold. My house is constant ~70-72 and since they are in a room alone with two windows the temperature gets much higher.

The smallest draft can makebthem cood, try a lamp, it may work.

We are not veterinarians, we can only suggest options / steps that you can take. If you don't want to follow our suggestions that's fine too as these are only based on our experiences.

Good luck with them.

It's possible she's not cold because of the room temperature, but because she's sick. In the pics you provided she's puffed up and her eyes are partly closed, making her look unwell. When a finch (or person, for that matter) is not feeling well, a warmer temperature feels wonderful. Being weak and sick makes it especially hard to control ones body temp, so any extra heat that's provided is oftentimes greatly appreciated. I would put a heat lamp on the cage in a way that she can sit near or under it if she chooses, but also be able to move away from it if it's too warm for her. In any case, there's no harm in trying.

L in Ontario wrote:We are not veterinarians, we can only suggest options / steps that you can take. If you don't want to follow our suggestions that's fine too as these are only based on our experiences.

Good luck with them.

Look, I'm not trying to argue even though that is what it may seem like, I'm just trying to make sense of it. Does it sound right or make sense for a bird to be cold for 3 years? That is why I mentioned this in my original post.

She could be sick, this entire time. Her immjne system may he down, and she is cold. Yes, if this is the case she may always be cold

How does she look overall - is she eating and drinking like she should ? does she sleep more than normal ? Have you seen any odd behaviour, signs of disease ?

I agree on that your hen looks a little odd - but unfortunately i dont know what it could be I have a society hen that LOOKS puffy too - but she is as energetic as the other birds and seems to be healthy anyways. Its hard to tell if the bird is actually sick or if it is something else sometimes!

To me this bird looks sick,as other have said keep it warm,give it some electrolytes .Is it thin on the breast,are the droppings looking normal?