How did I kill these baby finches?

[nopEda]

I saw a couple of what I believe are baby society finches lying on the floor of their nest area today, and there are three more still in the nest. So I decided to try feeding them and putting them in a brooder since they both had a lot of fight left in them. I started the brooder thing warming up and warmed and mixed some formula. It probably wasn't as warm as it should have been but it was warm and not too hot. They looked to be of different ages and I fed the older looking one first. I didn't have to stick the syringe thing down its throat because it grabbed and swallowed it immediately. I put in a very little bit and was that its craw was very full. It still wanted more but didn't get it. Since it was still able to hobble around and beg for more I figured it would at least be able to digest that first attempt and hopefully things would get better at least for a little while. The second bird was pretty much the same thing except that it looked a lot weaker but still it swallowed the food and I saw it in its craw, but it didn't beg for more. They were both still alive and apparently breathing so I put them in the brooder thing and darkened it out. About 30 minutes later I went to put in a container of water for humidity and they were both dead. Why? If the feeding was going to kill them it seems they would have choked to death at the time, not seem fine after it. Maybe it was too hot in the brooder? I think it was about 110F or maybe a bit more. Did I cook them or what?

[finchmix22]

I am so sorry to hear the babies died. How old were they? I don't keep the brooder that hot and I think, as sad as it sounds, you let the brooder get too hot. Keep a brooder at 90-95 max and no lower than 85-88 degrees. As they get older, they need less heat. A wet sponge should be used for humidity and not a bowl, as they can drown, once they start practicing using their wings. I know from experience and empathize with you. I was so upset with myself for what I did wrong, without realizing it, as the chick died as a result. Try not to beat yourself up, they wouldn't have made it if they were tossed without help and sometimes there is not anything we can do anyways. At least you tried. This one was a hard lesson to learn, but now you can get it right next time.

[cindy]

So sorry for your loss. I agree, I think the brooder was to hot. You tried your best to save them, they also may have been a bit to weak to survive no matter what you tried to do.

[MasterLinx]

Well I'm sorry to hear it. But, hey sometimes these things happen. We just gotta learn from the bad times and move on.

[PrettyBird]

IM sorry to hear about this
I agree I think the brooder was too hot and they over heated.
Also the formula should be at the proper temp/consitancy too. How long were they outside of the nest for? If it was several hrs they coul have also been very hungry and dehydtrated. What type of "brooder thing" do you have?

Its sad, but take this as a learning experience.
Test the brooder next time first to see how hot it will go up to, then adjust it accordingly (opening it a bit etc) so if something like this ever happens again, you can be prepared.

[ac12]

Read the brooder thread at the top of the breeding section
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12274
Lots of good info there for your next time.
Read up in advance so you are prepared.
The thermometer is VERY important. I use a remote thermometer, so I can constantly monitor the temp inside the brooder.

I went running around buying things when I needed it NOW!
At least now I have most of the parts if I need to setup a brooder again.

[dan78]

Very sad to hear. As stated if you didn't try they were going to pass anyway. Agree brooder was a little to warm about 90-92f is about the right temp for young. This is a learning curve and next time you just may have a happy ending. I have made many mistakes and learning from them is what makes a sad ending become a happy one. I must congratulate you on your attempt if they were in my aviery they wouldn't have survived as nature here takes her course.

[purplejasminevn]

Well said dan78... thank you...we all learn from our mistake and make a better ending next time... don't beat yourself up too much on this

[nopEda]

IM sorry to hear about this
I agree I think the brooder was too hot and they over heated.
Also the formula should be at the proper temp/consitancy too. How long were they outside of the nest for? If it was several hrs they coul have also been very hungry and dehydtrated. What type of "brooder thing" do you have?

Thank all of you for your suggestions and encouragement. The brooder thing is a Dex baby wipes warmer. It didn't seem warm enough when I tested it before, so I removed the inner ceiling and flipped it over so the heating elements would be more efficient, and also installed a fan. Apparently it worked too well. I don't know how long they were out of the nest, but they still had a good bit of energy when I fed them, and it seems like they died very quickly after the feeding because they were out of the nest on the ground for a longer period of time than they were in the brooder thing, so that was probably what did it. I'll try to get the thing under control for next time.

[Sally]

I like using the baby wipes warmers as brooders, but the more I use them, the more I realize that temperature control is very difficult with them. I found I have to prop the top open from just slightly open to quite a bit, with constant monitoring as the temperature then drops to a less-desirable measurement.

I think for inexpensive, I prefer using the plastic terrariums, one nested inside another, with hot water in the bottom terrarium. The temperature is maintained with an aquarium heater, which does a much better job of keeping the temperature close to what I want. For portability, I can then use the baby wipes warmer.

[nixity]

I think for inexpensive, I prefer using the plastic terrariums, one nested inside another, with hot water in the bottom terrarium. The temperature is maintained with an aquarium heater, which does a much better job of keeping the temperature close to what I want.

Wow.. that's actually a really good idea.. I never would have thought of that! Don't the aquarium heaters have to be submerged up to a certain point?

[ac12]

Tiffany
I think you are correct. All heaters that I have seen have to have water up to a certain level on the glass tube. I think that is to keep the part of the tube with the heating element under water.

There are some heaters that are waterproof and submersible, but most have to have the control head above the water.

[Sally]

I have this brooder:

https://www.birdsupplynh.com/catalog/pr ... 41af96b16b

The heater is the type that is meant to be totally submersed. It is just not as portable as the wipes warmer, but I have taken it in my truck before.

The wipes warmer has the advantage of only costing $20, so for those who just want to have something on hand 'in case' they might need it, they haven't invested much.

[debbie276]

Here's a picture of the one hubby made me about 10 years ago, my husband got the idea from the "water nanny". I sold a few on ebay back in the day.

[cindy]

Debbie, this is a really great idea! How do you set the temperature to keep it warm, is there a separate control?